The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1876-06-01
THE MEXICAN WAR VET
ERANS.
Gen. II. PattersOn's Greeting
to the First Tennessee VOlun-
teers-Arrangements for the
Reunion at Philadelphia.
From the American. ]


On the 2Ist September last, a
portion OF the surviving volunteers
of the Mexican war residing in
Middle Tennessee, held a reunion
in the town of Gallatin. Among
the resolutions adopted were several
proposing a general reunion of the
Mexican War veterans at the Cen
tennial in Philadelphia, on the 21st
September next, that day being con-
sidered the anniversary of the bat
tie of Monterey. 1t will he remem-
bered that the battle occupied three
days, the 2lst, 22d, and 2Sd of Sep
tember, 1876,
The resolutions further invited
Gen. Robert Patterson, of Philadel-
phia, "being our senior officer now
living, to take charge of the organ
ization OF the soldiers of the Mexi-
can War at the Centennial" and
command the same.
On the lst of February last, the
Secretary of the Gallatin meeting
transmitted copy of said resolu
tions to Gen. Patterson, with note
requesting his favorable response.
A prompt response was received
from a relative of the venerable
General, on his behalf and by his
direction-the General himself be
ing unable to write because of Sc
we're illness-accepting the invita-
tion, and expressing the gratifica-
tion he should anticipate in meeting
the survivors.
Within the last few days the Sec
retary has received the following
letter from Gen. Patterson himself:
1900 LOCUST STREET, PHILADEL-
PHIA, May II, 1S76.-Dear Sir;
Your favor of Ist February came to
hand when / was confined to bed
with a severe attack of pneumonia,
from which / have hardly yet Fecov-
cred. / remember we'll the First
Tennessee Volunteers with whom,
and with nearly all its officers and
members, / had the honor and the
pleasure of personal acquaintance,
and it would be great pleasure to
meet the survivors once more be-
fore l 90 hence.
am now old and somewhat fee
BILE; but anything can do to meet
the wishes of my old comrades viii
be most cheerfully and gladly per-
formed.
Do me the favor to bear me in
kind remembrance to Col. Bale
Peyton, Generals Ander son, Cheat
ham and any others Of our old COM
rades you chance to meet.
Whatever arrangements you make
/ will endeavor to carry out. With
great respect, very truly yours,
r. PATTERSON.
JoHN LELLYErT, ESQ,
Sec'y Mex'n War Voi'rs, Nashville.
am sure the old volunteers will
be pleasingly touched to receive this
kindly word from the old and loved
commander-so brief, so courtly,
so gentle, so like him. / would
rather see the old General to-day
than the Centennial; and have nc
doubt many of "the boys" feel as
do. But boys who went forth tc
war thirty years ago, are getting &
little stale now, as the boxers say
and the times are hard. Many ot
the veterans are poor-whose blood
won the land Of gold, and the vast
domain from Texas to The Pacific
to make the nation rich. l doubt
if the proposed reunion at Indepen
dence Hall can be realized. How
ever, il is not for me to discourage
the project. The calling together
of the veterans for further consul
tation on the subject is to be at the
call of the president Of the associa
tion, Chancellor Nixon, OF Law
T renceburg. JoHE LELLYETT.
May 20, 1876.
/ ---e se----