Morris tribune., 1882-06-29
First Hcgimcnt Reunion at St. James.


The fifteenth annual reunion of the first
regiment of Minnesota volunteers began at
st. James, Watonwan county on the Dist.
President Cannon called the comrades, about
forty, together at the stand and introduced
Adit. Gen. Hawley, who turned over to the
president the old flags, urging the import
ancc of the soldiers refraining from cutting
pieces from the precious old relics. HealSO
presented them the old drum used by the
First Minnesota at Fort Smelling in 1861 and
until 1S6t. y resolution passed to fall in and
march around the town, which was done in
q SOldicrIy manner. After the return to
camp Capt. Wright and Gen. Hawley
made brief addresses.
On the 22u at.9 o'clock. the annual busi-
ness meeting of the First Regiment associa-
ton was called to order at the stand by
President Cannon, and Col. G. +. Uansdorf
was elected permanent secretary. Letters of
regret ut Inability to be present from Capt
Adam Marty, saltwater; Maj Gen. W. S.
Hancock, Governors Island; Bishop Whip
pie and absent members of the regiment
were read by the secretary.
The association decided to meet at Anoka
next year. John ". Pride of Anoka was
elected president of the association for the
ensuing year; vice president, NJ. +. Taylor;
treasurer. james Cannon; secretary, G. +.
Hanslorf
The deaths of W II. Washington. Coz.
pany |, was reported at Wabasha on the 9TH
Of July last; Lester \. Webb, Company +,
at Fort ButOrd. six months ago; Lieut.. Col.
Stephen \. Miller. Wm. II. Churchill, Com
pany X. at stockton, in March: Edward
BriSettc, Company c, at st. Paul, two
weeks ago-the latter arriving in Minnesota
in 1852.
The association received Gen. Gibbon,
their old corps commander, in military
style, the old regimental bugler, Ernest
Mayer of st. Peter, sounding the call on the
instrument which had performed like SER
vice on many previous and less peaceful
and agreeable occasion. The veterans
formed in ranks in front of the stand with
the battle-torn and weather-beaten stand
ards of the old First in front, supplemented
by the division flag which had been loaned
to the regiment by Gen. Gibbon, in whose
poS> eSsion it has been since the war.
Gen. Gibbons division headquarters flag
was carried through the Gettysburg battle,
and five men were killed while carrying the
noble standard through that heroic and tre-
mend0US struggle. The staff is now made
III two SectiOns-One portion being made of
Union wood and the other captured of the
rebels. At 1850 o'clock President Cannon
introduced Hon. ]. J. Thornton of ST. James,
who welcomed the veterans to the town.
Immediately following the close of Mr.
ThOrntons address the gunners resumed the
salute and at the second fire the gun was
discharred prematurely, shattering the right
arm of George Peabo ly, an Omaha railroad
emyloye living at st. James, injuring the
eyes but not destroying them, and lacerat-
ing the flesh on the light arm. ,Owea Rob
crts of Mankato, who was the principal gun
ne had his thumb on the vent at the time
and the end of it was blown off.
At the suggestion of President Cannon
$112.7j, or 80 per cent. of the annual dues
paid at the business meeting, was donated to
the family of Mr.. Peabody, and 10 per cent.
to that of Mr.. Roberts, who sustained the
less severe injury. Gen. John Gibbon was
then introduced by Mr.. Cannon. Gen Glib
bon S address was the finest tribute ever be-
slowed on the old First and ought to be
| pr inted in permanent form.
Judge Lawrance also made an address and
several good speeches were made at the BAH
| Quet.