Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-10-11
SOLDIERS REUNION At Elk rom.

S0loiE6 REUNION At ELK POINT.
A Pleasant and Enjoyable o~ecasien-Ths
shan Battle u the Evening Exer-
eisss. s.
The third annual reunion Of the SOLDIER
and sailors Of Dakots, was held at Elk
Point, on the 9th inst. When the train Of
the Dakota Southern from Yankton reached
Elk Peint, IL arrival was greeted With the
thunder Of abrsssak peander and mars;.l
music. A line Of veterans was at the de-
pot to receive the delegations arriving BY
the train. The Yanksop delegation con-
sisted Of but four ex.soldiers, Judge J. H.
Burdick, John J. Duff.ek, Phil X. Faux
and William Furlong.
At eleven o'clock, after a street parade,
which was quite a creditable display, the
command assembled in the town hall, where
Secretary NJ. B. Kent called the meeting to
order. On motion, J. H. Burdick was made
chairman Of the meeting, and &. P. Ben
nett, secretary.
Capt. Hughes explained to the meeting
the absence of Gen. c. T. Campbell. the
president Of the soldiers and sailors associa.
ton, stating that owing to destructive prai-
RE fires in Bon Homme county, the general
had written that it was impossible for him
to be present at the reunion.
On motion, a committee of five was ap-
pointed to procure arms to be used in the
sham battle of the afternoon. The commit
tee consisted of comrades Wallace, Wood,
Kent, Wilson aud Webster. An adjourn
ment was made until 2 p. m.
At the appointed time. at least hundred
ex .soldiers assembled in the city hall, the
committee on ordnance making. a ~satisfac.
tory report. Capt. Wingett, of Sioux City,
and Capt. Alex Hughes, of Elk Point, we're
then appointed captains, each to have com-
mand Of q battle or company of veterans
ready armed for battle. After preparations
had been completed, opt. Hughes moved
his command to a field east Of Elk Point,
Capt. Wingett also pressing forward to The
field of action. The artillery also moved
out and took position on the right Of VIM
gstfs command. The action commenced by
skirmish firing, and soon resulted in a gen.
eral engagement. Charges we're made and
repelled. Cheers rang out over the field,
and the artillery Numbered out its deep
boomlngs. All this was witnessed by at
least a thousand persons, who had come out
from the town to witness a battle. At
length, Capt. Wingett, supported by cavalry,
ordered a charge Of infantry, when Phil K.
Faux in command of the reserve ordered a
charge on the left. Immediately the caval-
ry and infantry rushed upon Capt. Hughes
command which formed a hollow square
and poured in a volley upon the cavalry un
horsing several men. Winget's infantry
fell back with the cavalry, when Hughes Or
dered a charge upon the cavalry. Here
Wingets reserve rallied and the fight be-
came \ hand to hand conflict for the pos
session of the nno Winxets men f.
nally retained possession Of the gun and
the victory. The sport was really
exciting, the maneuvers though ON a::snall
scale, performed most admirably in true
military style. Judge Burdick, who was in
chief cammand says it certainly reminded
him Of a real battle. It was a success in az
diversion to the spectators and a
harmless excitement to the participants.
After the battle both companies united
and headed by a martial band gave a street
parade, which evinced that our Dakota SOL
diers still remember military tactics and
know how to execute the evolutions of drill.
In the evening at half past seven o'clock
the city hall was again filled to its utmos
capacity with ladies ami gentlemen and the
exercises Of the evening we're con.
The first order of exercises was prayer by
Rev. Wakefield, after which chairman J. II.
introduced Capt. Alex. Hughes,
who delivered an address of welcome. 1t
patriotic and eloquent, and was received
With applause. Capt. Hughes, although be
bears the scars of seven wounds received 10
battle, has not been disabled as an orator,
and to his energy and activity must be as.
very largely the success of this re-
1nion.
In The absence Of Secretary Hand, orator
If the occasion, Judge J. H. Burdick deliv-
red a feeling and eloquent response to the
of welcome, after which the slec
Tub sang "Sherman's march to the sea"
N. B. Kent then read an original poem,
to the soldiers and sailors eff Da-
'ota. 1t was we'll written and as we'll read.
Phil. K. Faux was then introduced and
cad = very full historical sketch Of the great
'attle Of Gettysburg. Nj. Faulk's sketch
delineated the thrilling incidents Of
he battle, and was received with applause.
The glee club folio we'd by .inging "The
boys are marching"
Mrs. Capt. Hughes then read = selection
from Bob Ingersoll-a reverie or memory of
the war. 1t was we'll rendered and listened
TO with breathless attention.