Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1879-11-26

I8AvoSAP1OSoAO4t " tu0 pkVlOu0u l0OAloB WIN
which every heart Of our assembled com
panions responds to the stirring sentiment
But how shall attempt to choose, in tn
brief compass the occasion allews, from tn
multitudinous thoughts that crowd ths
minds Our first commander, the nlustri
ous general whose fame hes grown to 6ll
the woFld--uay more, our band Of the Ten
nssssss was his first army. What Aoaerahle
memories Of old association you, compan'
ions, may now recall. [Applause.
How splendid Tas your entrance on the
north had long been fixed intent1y on the
eastern theater, almost unconscious OF the
new-formed Army Of the Tennessee and its
unknown general. Suddenly there fell ON
the startled ear the roar OF your fight at
Donelson and your chieftain's cry, which
walked the country's heart to ecstacy, and
rung, like prophetic knell, the doom our
army of salvation bore to rebels-nothing
but unconditional surrender. IApplause.1
Then, but few days later. there burst, ct
Shiloah, upon his Army of the Tennessee,
6ght of the war" In desperate doubt the
night fall of the bloody day closed on the
unequal struggle. Higher, then, rose the
iron resolution of that great commander.
Urged BY cautious counsel to prepare the
way for retreat, with trust in your valor he
gave the characteristic answer: al have
not despaired OF whipping them yet" And
Loyalty, on the morrow, was he vindicated
in that reliance, ~ he rode before his
soldiery, driving the enemy over the victo-
rious field. prolonged applause.l
How darkly comes back Ia recollection
the long and dismal toll in the pestilential
swamps before imprsgnable yicksburg. The
sky was overhuEg with gloom and the
soaked earth sunk under the foot. Unlit BY
the flash of powder, uuhsralded BY the
noise of arms, in miserable darkness, the
last enemy irresistably piled his fatal work,
changing the river leveos-where only was
solid ground for burial-into tombs for our
trebly decimated ranks. Then, again. new
light broke from his troubled genius on the
scene, and displayed the possible path for
valor. Breaking past the rebel battlements
and across the great river he flung our army
into the midst of the hostile host, like q
mighty gladiator surrounded by his foes,
choosing NO escape but in victory. There,
with fiery sest in fierce rapidity, he smote
the foe the crushing strokes OF Port Gibson,
Raymond. Jackson, Champion Hills and
Black River, and seized the doomed city
with the unreienting grasp Of his Army Of
the Tennessee. And when, on the
fag shook out ito beautiful folds above the
ramparts of that boasted citadel, the terri
tory Of revolt was finally split in twain, the
backbone Of rebellion was broken. [dreat
enthusiasm.l Such, in glance, your splen-
did story, companions, under Que first com.
mander. He and his Army of the Tennessee
entered ON the page Of history together.
Together they achieved the first great pro.
phssae asi~mpha for ths Unioni tegethss
they followed and fought her enemies from
field to feld, pushing our advancing arms
in steady career toward the Gulf; nor were
their efforts for our country disunited until,
having dismembered the vast rebellion, the
beginning of its utter downfall had been
seen.
Guided by his genius, your army had
learned TO fight only to conquer. Parted
from him, it forgot not the teaching. IT.
march and war struck every revolving
state save two, but never general anywhere
lamented over its retreat from the 6eid of
alted fame, which, rising like pinnacle OF
the Alps, breaks through the ornament
above to carry up the name of the unc0n.
quered Grant, for it is our felicity, that on
the solid base from which il lifts, history
has written theproud legend Of the Army Of
the Tennessee, which never Stunned, and
never lost, battle with its foes.
Joined to 1t by such q story, and espe.
cially when 10 assembled, his old associates
without censure, and without adulation,
claim and speak the Just measure of his
merit and renown. Nor shall his presence
deny that satisfaction to us. His reputa-
ton 10 mot his, nor even his country's alone,
1t 10, in fact, our peculiar posse ssion. We
who fought to aid it, rising, may we'll 70.
joice iu it, meridian splendor.
The foundations Of his title are dssp-laid
and safe. There WAS reaction in the minds
OF our people after the intense strain Of the
war, and many distracting subjects for atten.
tion. Bat with regained composure and
reelection. his reputation augments. and IL
foundations appear more and more IRE.
movably fixed for lasting duration. They
spring not from merely having enjoyed pos.
session Of the honors OF place and power
which his countrymen have bestowed
others have had them, too They lie mot
specially ON his shining courage and per.
sonal conduct before the enemy, who was
never outdone in calm intrepidtty, nor in
the splendid daring with which he ever
urged the battle he Immediately ordered,
though long ths:s WIN live in song and
story. Beyond the Warriors distinction,
shich was Ills earlier glory, his is the true
genius of the general.
The stragetic learning Of the military art
was to him simple implement, like colos
and brush to q Raphsel, not fstten 10 the
mind. How like . weapon in . giants
hand did he WELD the vast aggregstions Of
soldiery whose immeEsity oppressed 70
many mindsl How easily moved his di.
visions, yet how Arm the place Of al.
How evsry soldier came 70 fssl his partici::
patton direct contsibution TO the general
success!
And whom, at length, his merit won the
government Of the entire military power OF
the north how perfect became, without