Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-19
THE EVENING STAR.
ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND.
Reunion of the Society.
Gen. Jeff G.. Davis Presiding.
Address Of Welcome by Captain Phelps
Letter from Gen. Sheridan, &C., &c.

The Society of the Army of the Cumberland
held an enthusiastic and very pleasant meeting
this morning at Wizards Hail. The hall was
crowded and there was an era of good feeling.
Gen. Garfield, in the absence Of General Sheri-
dan, the president of the society, called the
meeting to order with few words of greeting
and q tribute to General Thomas The credit of
the arrangements, he said, belonged to Col. Cor
bin and Gen. McCook. He then stated that 1t
was In order to choose presiding officer TO fill
Gen. Sheridan's place
GEN. JEFF. c. DAVIS CHOSEN TO PRESIDE.
1t was moved by Col Corkhill that Gen. Jef
c. Davis, one of the vice presidents, be chosen
to preside. The motion was put, and carried by
storm. Gen. Davis went on the platform and
thanked the society for the compliment paid
him. He referred to the last meeting at Phila-
delphia, three years ago, and said that, though
one Of great interest, the present reunion, In
having the unyeiling OF Gen. Thomas statue in
hand, was OF more interest. He was GREETED
with
''THREE CHEERS FOR JEFF. DAvIs,n
This cheer caused good deal OF rollic1ng fun.
General Davis then introduced Capt. Phelps,
'the president Of the board of District Commis-
soners."
DISTRICT COMMISSIONER PHELPS ADDRESS OF WEI
COME.
Capt Phelps said that he was glad to welcome
the society. In doing so he remembered that
the members OF the society had done much to
preserve the capitol to which he now welcomed
them. The society came to place in that capital
a monument to beautify and adorn it. The
monument would live to recall to future genera
tiOnS the deeds of the Army of the Cumber-
land and its gallant chief, than whom there was
not better soldier nor truer man. He would
again welcome most heartily the society OF the
Army OF the Cumberland to Washington.
GENERAL SLoCUM,
who was in the audience was with cheers in
vited to seat on the platform. The boys cheered
at everything. He had no sooner reached his
chair than he was called upon for a speech by
hundred voices. He responded very neatly. He
hat liy-fa ,ip
tue more than General Thomas. Gen. Thomas
was his Instructor at West Point and was be-
loved by all. When he went from the military
academy he found in the field General Thomas
the same-beloved, even worshtpped by all his
men. No man who served in the war would be
remembered by his country with more gratitude
and admiration than General Thomas. Long
and enthusiastic applause followed.
The recording secretary read the following
LETTER FROM GENERAL SHERIDAN,
dated at Chicago:
TO my deep regret am compelled to state
that my physicians have forbidden my attend
ance at the forthcoming meeting Of our Society.
l nave been confined TO my house for nearly
TWO weeks past with an obstinate broncial
trouble, which does not readily yield to medi-
cal treotment and despite my earnest solicita-
tionS my medical advisers have positively re-
fused to permit me to go to Washington; or, in
fact, to leave my room. To those OF you who
know how deeply have been interested in the
completion of the statue to our old Commander
General Gearge ii. Thomas which is to be un-
yelled ON the 18th inst, and haW anxtously
have waited to see you all again after nearly
three years OF separation, there will be no need
OF saying how great disappointment this is to
me; but write more especially for the infcrma-
ton OF those with wohm 1 have not
been in immediate correspondence that they
may know that / am not neglectful Of
the interest of the society, nor wanting in devo-
ton to the memory of one Of our purest and
best fr1enGS. NO one among you will appreciate
the privileges of our reunion more than should
have done, and none more anxious to do honor
TO the memory OF our grand and good general
than myself. But for once am unable to ex-
cuSe the state OF my health and have had to
succumb to the orders of the surgeons. trust
and believe that you will have happy time
and know that many halloWed memories will
clong around the monument when you first I'M
veil the statue of the men who stood like rock
against the adverse fortunes OF the bloody day
OF Chickamauga. With very earnest wishes for
the good health and happiness of each and all
OF you, am, sincerely your friend,
"P. II. SHERIDAN"
Ihe chalr was directed to appoint committees
to select the orator for The next reunion.
There was considerable discussion as to me-
mortal services over deceased members of the
society, but beyond the ract that Gen Hooker
should receive an especial mark of distinction
nothing was done. Amid cheers stamping and
most enthusiastic noise,
GENERALS HARTRANFT, BUTTERFIELD, GARFIELD,
KIMBALL AND BUELL.
were invited to seats on the platform Gen.
Garfields advance up the stage was greeted
with loud applause. Hen. Buell. not being pres
ent, a committee was appointed to wait upon
MN and notify him or the action OF the society
and request his presence.
REGULAR BUSINESS
was next taken up, and reports from several
committees were received. 1t was proposed to
put Corporal Foster also on the stand but he
didn't want to go. 1t was then facetiously an
nounced that his backwardneSS was due to lack
of room on the stand not to his InOdeSty The
motion was carried that everybody in the hall
consider himself on the stand. The chair then
announced
THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES:
On nomination Of officers for next year Gen.
Nathan KImball, Gen. James Barnett, Col.
William McMichael, Col. NJ. P. Bestow and
Capt. VIM. McCleary. On memorials-Gen.
Daniel Buttertield. Maj VIM. Goodspeed Capt.
II. NJ. Duilield On ovatiOn-Gen. II. w. Slocum,
Henry Stone and Col. II. X. Wllward on pub
lication-Gen Henry NJ Cest Dol. II. C. Corbin.
Maj. W. H. Bright. ON time and place of next
Gen. +. S. Meyer, Col G. Goddard, Col. c. Fl.
Cans. Maj w. d. Brickham and Mai W. II.
Lambert. These committees We're instructed to
be ready TO report at the next business meeting
tomorrow morning
1t was proposed that a committee of three be
appointed to wait on Gen. Sherman and invite
his presence. Gen. Barton objected, without
he said meaning any disrespect TO the General
OF the Army. Gen. Sherman was a member of
the society, and he ought to be present now.
This raised good laugh, which was augmented
"
carried, and Gen. Barton appointed at the head
OF the committee.
The committee to invite Gen. Buell. returned
with the information that he could not be found
in his rooms.
general talk followed in which it was def
nitely understood where the members OF the
society were TO join the procession. IL was car
red that an adjournment when had should be
10 the Arlington hotel at 1:3O this evening
From there march would be made to the tent
where the Grafton will be delivered.
The committee TO invite Gen. Sherman's pres
ence announced that they had found that the
General had gone to take his place In the pro-
cesson. On motion of Gen. Garfield the society
adjourned, agreeing to meet at a quarter to one
O'Clock In the hall TO join the procession.
PERsoNAL-Dr. George w. Blake formerly of
this city, but now a prosperous physician in
Ohio, is visiting Washington. =. DR. NJ L.
Ruth, I. .S.N.; lion. Arson 6. McCook, NY: Hon.
+. NJ. McCook. Col; Gen. A. G. Shepherd, Mass:
Gen. 7. II. Donaldson, Baltimore II. c. Lang,
ton and W. II. Langton, England; Gen. VIM
EaInshaw, Ohio; Gen. Durbin Ward, Ohio; Gen.
j. S. Negley, PittSburg; Gen. A. b. Underwood
Boston, are at the Arlington. ....John GAM
gee, London; Col p. n. Gurhire, PittsbuIg; Hon.
Wn Ward Pa; Gen. Martin, Phila., are at the
Riggs. Gen A. II. Terry, Boston; Gen. W.
". Blackan, Boston; NJ. ID. Leggett, Cleveland;
W. NJ Long, Panama, are at the Ebbitt.
ADMINISTRATIONS S. Larned, Of Buffalo,
n V, and John T. Thompson, of Kentucky,