Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-30
SECOND MrNNEsor4 vErERANs.
a Delayed but not Bit Ambiguous
Letter.


Letter.
Among the absent comrades to whom
letters of invitation to be present at the
recent reunion in this city of the Second
Minnesota Veteran Volunteer infantry,
was one to Hon. E. st. Julien Cox, now
located at Grand Forks, D. T., in
the practice of his profession, who was a
captain in the regiment in the famous
Mill Springs engagement, upon the
twenty-frst anniversary of which the re-
union was held. The response of Judge
Cox, expressing his regrets that he could
not be present, was not received
until several days after the re-
union had been held, but its
sentiment expressed is so feelingly loyal
to the memory of those who have already
answered the last roll call, and to the little
band of survivors, and also so creditable
to the head and heart of the writer, that
we have been requested to give it a
place in the columns of the GLOBE,
and thus, through its extensive;t cir
culation get it before those to whom was
addressed. Following is the letter:
GRAND Forks, Oak. Jan. 16.-To Gen.
Bishop, Capt. Burger, Com, etc.-Gen-
tlemen It is with sentiments of the most
sincere regret am compelled to forgo the
pleasure of meeting with yon and the com
rades survivors Of the gallant second infan-
try at the proposed reunion, to be held the
18th inst, and in common, warm up with
the boys, the anniversary day, the first vic
tory of the war for The Union, and in which
this regiment took such conspicuous
part.
The old hackneyed excuse in my case is,
l am sorry to say, a true one, business en-
gagements absolutely preclude the posi-
bility of attendance.
Absent in the flesh my heart is with you,
and may this reunion be the precursor of
many others in which all may be permitted
to participate.
When we think of the bygone days OF
soldier life, when through the shadowy
past we trace in memory, 'the telescope of
years." lifting each shroud that time
has cast upon US, when we
feel that the dark mysterious stream is
before us at no great distance, that so
many of our friends have crossed, it is pc
culiarly meet and fit that those who sur
vive, should assemble in reunion, to COM
memorate the deeds, the membranes, of
| the gallant men mustered OUT and to
revive the almost sundered ties, of com
mon brotherhood, formed in the day OF
| the weary march, ripened and cemented
in the thunder of hostile guns, in the
shock of battle. How true the lines, to
each of Us, will soon appear
| ''When l remember all
The friends so linked together
| I've seen around me fall,
| Like leaves IN winter weather,
| / feel like one who treads alone,
| Some banquet hall deserted -
| The men whose backs hostile foes never
saw, have still duty to perform to
| preserve the memories of their fellows
to transmit legacy, to their posterity Of
honor, 1ame and glory,the memories of the
battle-tested veterans of the Second Min
nesota infantry volunteers, one that goes
down into the far-reaching future, crowned
with the garlands of grand, unyielding
patriotic devotion to our glorious flag and
nation. The history OF those men will bt
stamped upon the page of time and ou1
nations glory. Aye, until the last gran(
reveille sounded upon bugles of gold,
| calling all to answer to that last roll cal
of the race Of man, time passed, eternity
begun.
May the reunion prove success in
every particular-no mar to unalloYet
enjoyment of the occasion to participants
Be pleased, sirs, to convey to comrades
the highest assurances of my warmest re
CARDS, kindest fraternal remembrance, and
believe me, very respectfully your obedi
ent servant. E. So. JULIEN Cox,