The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1877-09-20
The President Meets His Brother Soldiers at
Fremont.


ception rendered President Hayes af-
ter his election, the people of Fremont
have enjoyed no such gala day rs the
reception of the Tweuty-third Regi-
ment which is being held here to-day.
From ], 300 to 1000 people are already
in attendance from the country around
Fremont, while excursion trains will
bring more for the afternoon exercises.
This demonstration is in no wise po-
litical. but it is participated in by all
irrespective of party.
The formal exercises began at sun
rise with the firing of a national sa-
lutte from the site of old Fort Stephen
son. For this purpose the one piece
Of artillery ssed by Col. Croghan in
his defeat of the English at this place
/ in 1913, was used.
AT IL O'Clock an informal meeting of
the Twenty-third Regiment was held.
About 800 veterans were present, in
Guiding Gen. II. Hayes, Gen. Rose
cranZ, Gen. Scammon and Senator
Stanley Matthews.
Secretary McCreary, Gen. Sheridan
Gen. j. ID. Cox, and Gen. Pearce, of
| Cincinnati, were also present.
President Hayes as president of the
society called the meeting to order,
and stated that they would proceed.to
the election of officers for the coming
year, when he was Immediately placed
in nomination, aud notwithstanding
his objection-''i am one-term man."
which elected bursts of applause
was reelected, as were all the old Off
GERS.
After the election of officers, Gen.
| RosecranZ addressed few words to
/ those present.
! Capt. Ellin, with few appropriate
remarks, presented the escutcheon OF
( the regiment 10 President Hayes who,
on accepting it, SAID:
Il shall prize this token of your re-
gard as one of The most precious me-
meutoes of this day. No period of
my life is SO dear as the four years we
spent together in the war for the pres
ervation of the Union. The one re-
greet, the one sadness, OH an occasion
like this, is that so many of those who
did most to give our regiment that
good name we prize cannot be with
us to-day. But we will hold their
names and memories forever sacred.
| thank you. [Cheers.
! The members of the regiment then
proceeded to the Opera House, where
they partook of an elegant dinner pro-
vided for them by the ladies of Free
mont.
AT 1 p. m. the Twenty-third regi-
ment, preceded by the Light Guard
band, of Toledo, were conducted to
the City Park by the committee of ar
rangements, the Mayor and city coun-
Gil. A vast concourse of people, over
$1,000, were present. 1t is seldom that
so many men, whose names are famil-
lar to the people, are gathered upon
one platform as were to be seen on the
speakers stand at Fremont to-day:
! President and Mrs. Hayes, Secretary
McCreary and wife, Gems. Phil. Sheri-
dan, w. S. Rosecranz, j. ID. Cox, s. 5.
Carroll, j. III. Duvall, Scammon. Bar
rett, Kennedy, auckland, Col. Gibson,
Stanley Matthews and Maj. Mckinley.
The immense audience was called to
order by Gen. Buckland, and all earn
est prayer was offered by Chaplain
Collier.
Hon. Mr.. Everett then delivered the
reception speech.
The President, as chairman, then in
troduced Gen. RIG Kennedy, of Belle
fontaine, who replied to the address
of welcome III on earnest and eloquent
manner.
At the close of the address the Pres
ideut read letter from Gen. Crook,
who stated that it had been his inteh-
ton to be present, but that he had
been ordered 10 go after Joseph.
Mai Nick inlay orntpr of trp 4
sion, then proceeded in most happy
manner, to give the history of the reg
iment from the time it entered the SER
vice in June, 1861, until it was mus
tered out at the close of the war. The
success of the regiment, lie said, was
largely due to its selection Of field Of
iicers-Gens. Rosecranz, Scammon,
Senator Matthews and President Hayes
having been, in order, colonies of the
regiment.
At the conclusion of Mckinley's adj
dress speeches were made by General
Sheridan and Secretary McCreary !;
also Gems. RosecranZ, Cox, Scammon.
Carroll, Barrett, kiefer, Lee, j. and F.
III. Duyall, Coates, Och, Judge Force,
Senator Matthews, aud Col. Gibson,
all of whom were loudly cheered as
they fought their battles over again.
At the close of the exercises the
Twenty-third Regiment went to the
residence of the President where they
were provided with supper by Mrs.
Hayes. After supper the evening was
spent by the President i'll saying good
| bye to his old comrades and many
/ friends who visited him for that pur-
/ pose.
The party starts for Cincinnati to-
morrow at II O'Clock.