The National tribune., 1882-11-02
TWENTY-FOURTH CORPS.
MINNESOTA.
A Pleasant Gathering at Saltwater - Marching to
the Tunes Of '61.

the Tunes OF '61.
Special Correspondence National Tribune.
SALTWATER, MINI, Oct. IA Reunion
was held here by Muller Post, No. /, at us p.
m. Garfield Post, No. s, and Acler Post, No
81, from st Paul, with q detachment from Geo
n. Morgan Post, No. 4, Minneapolis, arrived
They were met at the depot by Muller Post,
headed by the drum and fife corps, and escorted
to their hall. As the column moved forward
with the dear old flag, the Stars and Stripes, and
the bright G. A. L. banner flying to the mar
tial music of the drum and fife, the writer's
memory ment back to the days of 81 to go,
when that music had in it a deeper meaning,
and signifed far more to the boys that wore
the blue than the mere pleasure of hearing it
at the present day.
Though the steps of the old veterans were
not as elastic as they were twenty years ago,
yet they were firm and regular. On their ar
rival at Post headquarters mutual greetings
and claspng of hands was the order for awhile;
then Commander Taylor called the Comrades
to order and extended to the visiting comrades
the welcome of Muller Post. He then intro
duced Mr.. Samuel Watkins, the popular Mayor
of the city Of Saltwater, who in a very apprO-
pirate address welcomed the comrades, and
extended to them the freedom and hospitality
of the city, "hacks included" Short addresses
were made by Hon. Z. w. Durant, Dept Com.
Marty; comrades J. P. Rea; II. A. Ames Mayor
of Minneapolis; S. Hartman, W. II. Harrington,
Com. Becker, and score of others. Comrade
Hawkins sang several old army songs in which
all present joined in the chorus with hearty
good will The next duty to be done was to
take care of lot of baked pork and beans cof-
fee, sandwiches, served in the old army style
Tin plates and cups, but no chips for plates,
which were enjoyed in a true soldierly manner
After refreshments were disposed of, S. V. Dept.
Commander J. p. Rea paid a glowing tribute to
the boys who did not return, which was lis
tened to with close attention. One of the most
interesting features of the evening was the call
ing of the roll which was done in the following
manner: Each comrade rose to his feet, gave
his name, company, regiment or ship, brigade,
division, corps, and army. The result was men
that were strangers before were found to be old
comrades some even of the same company and
regiments and many who were in the same bril-
gades and divisions. The entire evening was
passed in short addresses, reading, recitations,
relating army anecdotes and incidents that
occurred during our army life, and the singing
of the old, familiar songs, and music by the
drum and fife corps.
Among those present were the following:
Department officers and staff Dept.-Com A.
Marty, S. V. Commander J. p Rea, Medical
Director J. c. Rhodes, Chaplain W. II. Harring-
ton, Assistant Acknowledgement s. BIoomer, As
sstant O. NJ. General F. Siebold, Chief Muster
tcring officer f. D. Taylor, and Aids Mosier
and Lanner
About twelve p m. the long roll was sounded,
the boys fell into line, marched to the depot,
and embarked for home. On their march to
the depot the whole line sang eve Won't go
Home Till Morning" "Tramp, Tramp &c; in
fact, the old boys were young once more, all
feeling that these Reunions are far more enjoy
able to the members of the G.. A. r. than all
other entertainments that can be had; it makes
Us forget that We are growing old, and that we
are growing less in numbers year by yearas the |
Great Commander Chief calls comrades to
Join the cver-lcngthcning lines of the invisible
host above.
Yours, in F., c., and H.,
SAMUEL BLOOMER,