Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-07-12
Reunion OF the Fourth Michigan In
fantry.

survivors live here, we publish from
the Hillsdale Herald the following
account of the meeting:
The reunion of the above mention
cd regiment was indeed most inter
esting and impressive occasion. Al
2:30 p. NJ, those of the regiment who
were present, their wives and many
friends, were seated for n sumptuous
banquet at Smiths hotel. The Glee
Club sang with spirit michigan, my
Michigan" after which Mayor Koon
extended an eloquent and fitting vel
come. To this welcome the Presi-
dent, NJ. A. Merrifeld, responded.
At the close of the banquet, all re-
paired to the court room when the in
tellectual feast was begun by the
toast master who called for music, to
which the Glee Club responded by
singing Marching Through Geor-
gia," the comrades joining in the
chorus.
III. w. MCGEE, of company +, now
Of Chicago, was called to respond to
the toast-"the old 4th regiment"
He followed the history of the regi-
ment from the time it left the State
in June, 1861, to the close of its term
of service, 3 years. His description
Of the battle Of Malvern Hill was
exceedingly eloquent, while his tribute
to the dead was equally pathetic. AT
its close his comrades gave three
cheers to the speaker.
The next toast was "Our Colors,"
and was responded to by III. S. Seage,
of Alpena, Michigan, who was one of
the color.bearers of the regiment AS
Mr.. Seage spoke from manuscript, we
are enabled to produce the response.
1t will be found clothed in words of
exceeding beauty.
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlen,eR.
COMRADES On beautiful spot of ground
in the suburbs of the city of Adrian, known
as Camp Williams" on the 2lst day of
June, 1851, Mrs. W. S. Wilcox, on behalf
of the ladies of Adrian presented this regi-
ment with beautiful silk flag, with the ex-
pressed hope and trust that, at the close of
our service we should return to them the
flag without moral stain Oh the beautiful
folds; with no star dimmed. Colonel
Woodbury., in few brief but fitting words,
accepted the trust and the legiment received
the flag with cheer upon cheer, and so
promised the ladies that their expectations
should be met and realized.
Let us follow a short time in the wake of
the flag and see how the promise was kept
On the oath of June following the regi-
mcnt breaks camp and, headed by the flag
takes up its march to the beleagured capt.
tai. Across the Potomac il leads us to the
disastrous field of Bull Run back to the
capital we go TO season Of inaction out
TO the front again the old flag moves and
Gaunts defiance on the soil Of old Virginia
from the battlements of Fort Woodbury.
on to the front it goes until from the top of
Minors Hill, its silken folds are kissed by
the morning sun.
On with the general advance of the army,
the flag leads MS to the deserted field of
Fairfax. Down to the Peninsula we 60,
and on the 23rd Of March, 1862, the flag is
unfurled by the oceans breeze at Fortress
Monroe. Up the peninsula it moves, push
ing back the stars and bars Of the rebs, un-
til Yorktown is reached. Here il is first
assailed by shot and shell, but it does not
finch, and during the long and weary siege
the flag is seen floating over the growing
earth-works in front of the sand bag battery.
On up the peninsula it goes, and receives its
first baptism Of blood at New Bridge, on
the Oath Of May, 1862, where the regiment
wrote its name high on the roll of fame.
We follow its lead toward the capital of
the rebellion and drive Branch from the
field at Hanover Court House. On the
Chickahominy, at Mechanicsville, it rallies
its followers against the hosts of Stonewall
Jackson.
At Gaines HILL Savage Station, White
Oak swamp, and on down the peninsula, |
through the Z days fighting, ending at NAL |
vern, we follow its wave, and, while furled |
to rest at Harrison's Landing let us look |
back and see how the hope and promise |
have been kept As we look back up that |
peninsula, can we see at any point where |
he flag has been dishonored? As VIC count
Inc cost, the precious lives laid as tribute
10 its glory, the energies wasted in its de-
fense, We can discover no disreputable act,
Dut, instead, around its eagle cap there
gathers a halo of glory in which arc in
,cribed the names of these hundreds of
\lichigan's brave sons, who have baptized
{ with their blood and consecrated il with
he agonies and sacrifices Of the citizen
oldier. Brightly among these hallowed
lead, shines the name of him into whose
lands the flag was first committed, Colonel
D. A. Woodbury.. How we'll his part of
he promise has been kept, we all know and
history records.
Back TO the Shenandoah valley, it takes
is where, under Pope, we again see it amid
he smoke and battle of End Bull Run
Back through the streets of our own capt.
al it leads us, from which we had gone
My few months before, flushed with the
rope of victory and confident of speedy
lose of the war.
Up through the verdant valleys of Mary.
and IL jauntily floats, reckoning us on 10
he battle Of Antietam. Across the Stone
Bridge, that very mouth of hell, the old
lag has forced its way until il rests on the
eights beyond, again triumphant, reduced
nd hallowed.
Through the turbulent waters of the Po-
Dmac at Shepardstown ford, Griffin chooses
ur flag to lead, that others may follow.
Down the beautiful valley il follows close
n the heels Of the retreating Lee who
irows down the gauntlet at Fredericks-
urg. Quickly accepting the challenge, the J
Id flag crossesthe Rappahannock and waves
IS defiance in the very teeth of Maryics
Icights. Here, in this slaughter pen, sur {
Dundcd by leaden hail, the old flag is
gain stricken, and totters, but he, whose :
fe's blood is fast flowing out, keeps il from $
,uching the ground while more fortu- :
ate comrade grasps the flag, and it again |
loves forward and demands recognition at 3
&c very mouths of rebel cannon.
Out through the mud march under the
Of Burnside, and in the Will
srness around ChanceloryiIle, the old ,
g is waving,