Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-18
DAKOTA ex.solplEm.

cOoel01lou Otoh Exercloce AZ Elm foSnt-
General Beadle and yadEe 1ennett Id.
arsss The Meetiag-0snsral CamPbell's
War sketches-Election OF omcers.
Elk Point. D. T., Oct. IL. 187o.-Edtors
Pres and Dakosdida Your staff cores
ponden: left the seat Of mimic wal after the
last successful assault upon the rebel fort.
and when he had seen tho old flag 60 up
with the cheers Of all above the stars and
bars, the commander Of the union forces
declaring that the garrison had fought
and deserved parole, which was
granted. When the %enthnsiasm abated the
troops we're reformed and moved out upon
the plain where they were formed in line,
the cavalry on the right. the artillery on the
left and the infantry in the center. The
general and his staff then rode down the
lines aud back in the rear TO their station
In front when the column passed in review
aud moved back to Elk Point together with
the throngo Of people. The streets were now
crowded more than at any time before.
The scenes of the field had aroused the en-
thusiasm of all and from that to the close q
splendid spirit marked every feature Of the
exercises. The marching drills and other
miscellaneous exercises filled the afternoon
and the camp supper closed tue day with
most satisfactory effect.
At seven o'clock p. n. the United Breth-
rem church, the largest room in the city,
was crowded with hundreds of men. women
and children, The stage Was adorned With
flags and the brass band from Ponca ,togeth.
er with vocslists of Elk Point, with their
organ. and the officers and speakers Of the
evening, were seated upon it. Capt. Alex
ander Hughes presided aud directed the or
der of the evening exercises. Prayer was
offered by Rev. ID. T. Hutchinson, an old
soldier, and q fine new piece, 1.-THE Red.
White and Blue" was sung. Gen. w. H.
Fl. Beadle was then intr oduced as the ora
tor Of the occasion, substitut ed on short ro-
tice for the place. The Grafton was wholly
extempore. but, inspired by the memories
the day called up. it was fresh and vigorous
ana most soldlerliy anc entertaining. Its
enthusiasm and eicquence awakened the
feelings alike Of soldiers, patriots and coun-
trymen, aud was received with applause by
the large audience. We regret being ina
bic to prin: il with the rest OF the proceed
iDgs. Those who know Gen. Beadle will
appreciate the report OF those who heard it,
it was one of the hsppiest efforts OF his
quent, while this was filled with histron:c
illusions aud lessons which will not soop
be furgotten.
zen c%AMPBELL's BATTLE SKETCHES.
The tone of the meeting Was now fixed
high and thereafter everything moved on
increasing enthusiasm. General Chas.
Campbell was then introduced to read
his sketches and the hero of somany battles
was greeted with applause from the first.
Gen. Campbell is held by every soldier in
The highest esteem as he was one OF the very
men that ever served this country
IS be did SO gallantly and with SO many,
honorable wounds in two wars. lie is
sprung from an ancestry of soldiers of!ame
this country. Gen Ca npbell read as io.-
ows:
To write the history Of the late war cor
Getty, is an utter impossibility. No one
in it, il employed upon duties of
lis OWE, could encompass the field, no more
han he could his small sphere OF action
confined within the square Of his brigade
" division. The soldier who will tell you
lfter the battle of the thousand things that
ook place in the space of six hours hard
must have an eye omnipresent-
letter it were directed toward the enemy,
is very necessary when so situated. |
gather from such sources the in |
and minute details of history.
from the reports of commanders only the
esult of battles. From the political opln.
ons, the causes of war.
But the worst feature of history to con-
end with is the inclination of the Ameri.
mind to prejudice. l may not be a
proper judge of what is written-from the
act that l have not yet read carefully a his
DRY of the rebellion. l have made several
forts. l made advance, 90 far as to disco. /
'er the prejudices of the author, and have
brown down the work with disgust, salts
led with my own knowledge Of simply, |
chi, ridi, pici. Then let US, friend and foe,
Din in chivalric feelings by throwing
side all prejudices and making our achieve.
nents glorious by proclaiming peace and
,ood will to all men.
The incidents of battle are we'll TO relate,
afford amusement to the young, and
reshen the feelings of the old. The horrors
+ battle are only known to us who have
asted of their bitterness and to those who
MOURN the loss Of fathers, husbands
X sons.
When history ~elevates living men be-
:ause Of their success and tramples down
'thers who have failed, forgetting the sins
# the successful and the virtues of those
Who have failed, it is unjust. The history
# the wars of England and France
ire . combination Of vanity and lies.
Ours, I am led to believe, is not
+.
It il not for Us here to examine into the
causes of our late national conflict. Suffice
i to say that the firing upon the American
dag at Fort Sumpter was sufficient for the
evil thereof. The indignation of one mil.
lion of men the descendants of patriots who