The National tribune., 1881-10-01
SOLDIERS, REUNION AT TOPEKA.

The Reunion of old veterans at Topeka, Kan
last week was a perfect success. There were
over ten thousand old soldiers present and al
most every regiment that served during the late
war was represented by one or more members
Many affecting scenes were witnessed when old
comrades who had not met before for years recog-
nized each other. In some cases brothers met
for the first time since the war. The Arkansas
Valley turned out the best organized body of
yeterans-three regiments of about three hun
dred men each-and received much praise. The
boys all enjoyed the occasion hugely. On Thurs
day the principal ceremonies Of the Reunion took
place. In the morning Governor St. John Senator
Plumb, and other gentlemen, made speeches,
which were interspersed with singing by glee
clubs and the old soldiers. Marching through
Georgia" was the favOrite air. The dinner given
under the auspices of Lincoln Post No. /, Grand
Army of the Republic, of Topeka, was heartily
enjoyed. In the evening the grand parade came
off, there being several thousand old soldiers
in the line. The people of Topeka and Lincoln
Post treated the old vets with the utmost hospi-
tally. The gathering was the largest ever wit
messed in the State and will long be remembered.
One of the most affecting and at the same time
pleasing incidents of the Reunion was the meet
ing of two brothers who had not seen or heard of
each other for fourteen years, each supposing the
other dead. One of the brothers was standing on
the capitol steps calling for the old soldiers of
the Thirty-second Illinois infantry. The other
brother stepped up and said That is my old
regiment" "What is your name?" asked the
first. Edward Hardcastle," he replied. MY
God, you are my own brother!" and as they
clasped each other in brotherly affection, great
tears rolled down the cheeks of the old veterans
who witnessed this reunion of long-separated
brothers.
The address Of Senator p. B. Plumb formerly
Colonel of the Eleventh Kansas cavalry, was just
what the occasion required. We are sorry space
prevents our giving it in full In closing, he said:
These Reunions should be kept up and their
usefulness extended. They will afford not only
means for social enjoyment of the ordinary kind,
but the means of making and perpetuating the
history | have mentioned. As the ranks thin
out there will be need of help for the families of
those who have gone before. The rich, prosper
Gus, powerful country ought to see to it that no
one who faithfully served his country in the hour
of its peril should die in want. 1t would be
reproach upon Government and people that such
a thing should be. Meanwhile let the comrades
help each other They can relieve distress, smooth
the dying pillow, and smooth the last hour Of
those to whom the final summons comes The
friendships of the war were strong. Those of
peace among men who have this bond Of COM
mon danger whether in the same company, regi-
ment brigade, or division. or not. ought to be
equally strong.
And now, comrades while we touch the mystic
chords of memory" on this pleasant autumn day,
and with all these cheerful surroundings, let us
not fail to remember those who have gone before,
who sealed their devotion with their blood, and
who sleep in the soil they died to make free, the
vanished and namelesS army Of the republic, who
were not merely willing to die, but to be forgot
ten that the good they did might live after them
Could they be with us they would commend these
exercises When the last reveille shall sound they
will fall into line not as Of old, with the light of
battle on their faces, but under the lead of Him
who said: :" | am the resurrection and the life"
for if there are white souls in paradise they are
demonstration Of the truth that the ends Of life
are worth far more than mere living At all
similar gatherings they and those who may here
after be added to the melancholy roll of our dead
should be the subject Of special cOmmemoratiOn.
To us all the summons will inevitably come.
May we be as well prepared to meet it as those
who have gone before.