Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-08-30
THE REUNION by DAYS.
WEDNESDAY.

The first day of the reunion opened
clear and beautiful, strong, fresl
breeze from the west during the nigh
having cooled the air to delightful
temperature, and all took courage from
the favoring aspect of the weather above
A few things remained to be done in tn,
morning, such as the last touches to th,
grand stand and the erection of lin.
of new, white tents, which occupied the
west of the court house park, and were
to be presented to the association by the
citizens. When the last touches hat
been given, everybody drew off for 8
quiet rest before the real work of recep
ton should commence. But the rest
was not for long, as the old veterans
had already began to make their APP
pearance, in fact number from dis
lance had arrived the previous evening
SO as to be on hand early to greet old
comrades. The noon train brought q
large contingent, including the well.
known Light Guard Band, of Boscobel,
which afterwards did much to add to
the pleasure of the two days. BY two
O'Clock, the town had began to show
signs of an increased population, and
Adjutant II. S. Keene, at the headquar.
tiers tent, was kept busily occupied in
registering the names of the incoming
veterans and giving out badges. Up to
two O'Clock, the time fixed on the pro-
gramme for the formation into compa.
MES, there was little to be done except
to see the sights, which included every.
thing from the educated pig" down tc
rows of hard-looking babies, which
were to be battered down with base
balls, at so much shot, The grand
stand furnished center of attraction
for the most of the old soldiers, some
time during the day. On the platform,
were draped
THE FLAGS
of the Seventh, Second, Sixth, Twenty
Fifth, Forty-Third and Forty-Seventh
regiments, while in front were two OF
the old Seventh flags, riddled and torn.
the property of Gen. Calls, as was also
small banner, which was carried GU,
by Company T, of the old Seventh
when they departed for the war, twenty.
one years before. All the flags were en-.
cased in netting, to preserve the tat
tered folds that remained after thei,
four years baptism in the showers and
hurricanes of rebel shot and shell. II
was interesting to note the tenderness
which came to the eyes of the old vet.
Grams, as they gazed upon the old fac
that had gone before them so often into
the fiery abyss of "a leaden hell, and to
witness the delicacy and care with
which they lifted its riddled folds. Dia-
monds could not have half the value in
their eyes, nor been so tenderly handled
1t was decided contrast to the prasr
of those to whom the torn and tattered
silk brought no saddening memories,
who handled the banners much as
they would piece of sheep-skin. All
the flags but the Seventh were mounted
on the regulation staff. The Seventh,
however, was noticed as having only a
rough oaken staff, which carried with
it history. On that terrible first day
at Gettysburg, when the Seventh and
other regiments of the Iron Brigade,
fighting so bravely, were forced back
by the oyerpowering masses of rebels,
they found that the town of Gettysburg
was already occupied by Southern
troops. and. fearing capture, but being
determined to
SAVE THE CoLoRS,
the color-bearer stripped them from the
staff and hid them in his bosom. The
next day, when the wave of battle had
rolled away to another part f the field,
and left the Seventh to act as a support
to battery, this pole was cut and the
colors remounted. 1t went with the
regiment from that time TO the close 81
the war. and to-day proudly claims q
place of honor, and gets it, among the
more polished slaves with which it i.