Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-09-23

Gus the greatest pages of our history,
and who have secured TO us and our
children the privilege of peacefully as
sembling and marching under the flag of
our country. marched past, bearing stead
lily and quietly the flags under which
they fought and under which so many
of their comrades died, it did not require
a very lively Imagination to conclude
that the spirits of the dead of Shiloh, of
Stone River, of Chickamauga, and of
other great battle fields were marching
| in the column beside their living com
rades.
THE DINNER.
At the Fair grounds the men were at
once marched to the tables, where plates
were spread for seven hundred. After
these were served about one hundred
more were served. The dinner was a
splendid success, thanks to the good Ia
dies of the town and vicinity, who
worked so untiringly to that end. After
all the ex-Soldiers were served there re-
mained an abundance of provisions, and
dozens of others were furnished dinner.
The writer took occasion to inquire of a
dozen or more ex-soldiers as to the guam
tity and quality of the dinner served,
all of whom spoke in terms of the most
unqualified praise of it. This was much
the greatest undertaking connected with
the reunion, and it is pleasurable du-
ty to make this public expression of its
success. The noble women who man
aged it and contributed to it are entitled
to all the credit.
AT THE STAND.
After the eX-soldiers had been served
with dinner the drums called the crowd
around the stand, a short distance from
the tables. Hon. John Patton, who car
ried a musket in the 9Sth, and who had
been designated for chairman, called the
assemblage to order and introduced Rev.
J. ID. Vail, who delivered an eloquent
and impressive prayer. Then Mr.. Peter
Tallman, in a sensible three minutes
speech, welcomed the men heartily to
the hOspitalities of the town. Mr.. Lo-
renzo Danford, formerly a Captain in
the 18th, responded for his old-time COM
rades in brief address. Ex-Gov. Cox
not yet having arrived on the ground,
Col. Poorman was called out and enter
tained the crowd until he reached the
stand. The Ex-Governor was heart
u,
most entertaining address ever delivered
on the ground. He stated that, in COM
pliance with the request of the commit
tee having charge of the reunion, he
would speak to the sentiment The Vol
unteer Soldier" He was in Columbus,
and at Camp DenniSOn, assisted in
organizing the Ohio contingent, and re-
lated how the best young men of the
State pressed forward i'll response to the |
Presidents call for troops, and how the |
mastering officers, who had known only |
the regular army, expressed surprise at
the appearance and the quiet manners
of the young volunteers, and, how, after
ward, a PruSSian officer, sent here by his
expressed aStOnlShment at
the character of the men who composed
our volunteers in front of Atlanta. The
best young men of the land into the ranks |
from our colleges and high schools, our
farms and workshops. 1t was Il capital !
and was attentiyely listened to.
Mr.. 5. B. Piper, of GAINESVILLE, form
erly of the Third Ohio, offered resolu-
ton providing for the appointment OF a
of five to organize an aSSOcl-
alton of surviving soldiers, and mOnu-
mental association. The resolution was
adopted. The chairman
stated that he would announce the COM
mittee through the county press.
NOTES.
The gathering was the largest held in
this town since the great Brough meet
ing. i'll 1868.
Postmaster Piper, of Barnesville, claims
to be the first volunteer in this con-
gressional district. He enlisted IN the
Third Ohio, April Is, 1861.
The flag floating from the Court House
5teeple on reunion day callod to mind
that April day, 1861, when Glenn. Steele
and Hi. Craft put flag up there and
rang the old bell, to Call the men to
gether to respond to the Presidents Ca :
Tor volunteers. Tom Fawcett ard Leroy
Sedwick got it up higher than the others
lid, and it is right that they should, for
since then the old flag has been glorltied.
Company A, Twenty-ffth Infantry,waS
he first company organized in this coun-
~ for "three years or during the war"
1t re-er]iSted, and remained i'll the ser
vice until the close of the war. 1t be-
Onged to the Army af the Potomac.
About 500 ex-S0ldiers were here.
The men say the st. Clairsville Reu- {
lion can "go head" Oh the dinner queS-
ion. 1t was away ahead of Steuben-
nile and other reunions they have at {
ended, and greatly exceeded their ex- '
pectationS.
A Brevet igadier-General of Volun-
eers and a Colonel of Volunteers march S
ID in the ranks Thursday.
Company E, st. Clairsville Guards,
endered valuable patrol duty ut the
department. of the reunion.
1hey have the thanks of the "hOys."
Music was furnished at the reunion by
.,e 81. Clairsville and Flushing Bands
nj The bridgeport and st. Clairsville
rum corps. The members Of these or
"a, izatiolls acquitted themselves well,
ND will he remembered by the veterans
s adding greatly to the enjoyment OF
he occasion.
Sheriff Hilles was chairman of the l,
Dinner committee and worked like a :
'eaver. The Sheriff is an old soldier :,
nd understands how 'hard-tack' and 9
Office is relished by hungry men after a
march. Il