The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-09-15

r been towed up the river TO the island durlr
d. the afternoon, aud little before o'clock
came floating down the river. Skirmshe
from the Union" side had been thrown OF
TO be ready to make al advance upon u pr,
arranged signal and soon firing along the lin
began. The Joliet guns had been placed 1
fort for its defense, the Tonlca gun was sta
toned on the north bank Of the Illinois an,
east OF Fox river, aud the Ottawa gun an
the mortar were brought into the actor
against the fort; consequently the deep vote
Of the artillery spoke frequently during tn,
progress Of the fight. AT first the sttackin,
forces were repulsed and driven down the
bluff, hut finally the fort was taken ant
burned, a couple of barrels OF tar adding to IN,
conflagratlon. The success Of this contlic
would have been much greater had Company
ID been furnished with ammunition, but
through some mistake their supplies failed
to arrive in time. Co. ID and Earl Post were
the "rebels," differed as follows Genera
commanding Maj T. c. Gibson; chief o.
staff, Lieut.. 4. A. Natlinger; chief Of artil
lery, Capt. WIN. McIntyre; aid dc camp,
Maj. John Hazel; officers In charge Of picket
line, Col. f. +. Bale and Capt. A. l.. Stone
The "Union" forces were under command of
Col. Hit, with Capt. j.. W. Brewer and Maj
Coe commanding skirmishers; Major Wood
CUltl Oh hTlllitry, u. ". luTTls, SURGEON.
Taking the exhibition, all In all, 1t con-
yeyed a ialnJ Impression Of what night at
tack might be, provided every man here en-.
gagged had been multiplied into company
Another night battle was fought after the
spectators had retired to their rest. A squad
Of the grand army of old veterans, about 81
or SO in number, came over into the business
part Of the city and were met by another
squad, and Il lively light ensued, the pre-
A,,.. % 49, Ill
after volley was fired, double quick charge,
made at each other, until finally, after al
hours hard struggle, the attacking part,
were prisoners Of war aud taken hack to
camp. Several residences were screnadeC
with salutes, among the number Hon. Wash
ington Bushnelrs, Mayor Aliens, Capt
Brewers and others. mo sleep in camy
again that night" Nor in town, either
LAST DAY.
The forenoon of Thursday was spent in
much the same way as that of Wednesday.
The streets Of the city were crowded with Wis
itors all day, and an activity and life quite
pleasant for Ottawa people TO witness seemed
to pervade the whole atmosphere. General
Logan arrived on the |: 80 train from the east
and soon after was driven to the fair grounds,
where the sham battle was to be fought and
the senator's address delivered.
"BATTLE OF REsACA."
In this battle Co. d was assigned to duty
on the Union" skirmish line, supported by
strong body of old soldiers and two pieces
of artillery. The enemy were commanded
as before ty Maj. Gibson, and aided by about
the same corps of officers. The Union"
troops were entrenched behind the fence on
the west of the field, the fort being located
on the eastern limit of the race course. The
engagement was opened by skirmish line
being thrown out from the fort to attack the
entrenched foe. At the same time Company
ID advanced in fine order, under command OF
Capt. Blanchard, and sharp engagement
ensued between these Two lines. First one
and then the Other would advance and fall
back in good military order, until the main
body of the "CniOnh forces came rushing on
with yell. During this part Of the play the
artillery had been actively engaged, und now
that general advance had been ordered, the
"UniOn" were rapidly transferred 20 a new
and advanced position by horses that ap.
peared to be well trained to noises of that
nature. A grand charge on double quick
against the fort was made, but the resistance
was too stubborn, a halt was ordered, the
''rebels" came from the fort with grand
rush on Il charge bayonets," and the Gun.
on" forces were put to Il flight that amount
I'd to an almost defeat. Just here FiZger-
lld's band, which was attached to the I'm
on" side, distinguished itself by the lively
retreat il made back to the original position
nearly, the imitation Of II scare being well
'endered by their haste to get in the rear.
The "Union" forces were finally rallied, and,
after another charge or two upon the fort,
captured il and its defenders. How real the
sham was made to appear, and how the smell
If powder eXcites the old soldier, was best
Illustrated by the enthusiasm dispayed by al
gentleman on horseback, who held a com.
mission of no mean rank in the late war.
When the first grand charge was made he
ode his horse eXcitedly into the field, his
ace aglow with excitement shouting, "Give
t to them, boys, Give 1t to them" The
boys" however, were consderhly in adj
rance and didn't know of the encouragement
hey were receiving.
After the battle General Logan, who had
the play, addressed the large audi.
cree, being received with enthusiasm by the
DID soldiers.
In the evening q reception was rendered
him at the Clifton Hotel, large number of
citizens calling on him there.
Also, during the evening, Miss Ada C.I
Sweet, of Chicago, was presented by Mr. Nc
Dougall, ION behalf of the old soldiers, ;"
with basket of beautiful flowers Gs a slight
oxen of the esteem "rhey had for her as a
adv, and as the daughter Of comrade In
arms and officer" Mr.. McDougalps remarks
we're of the most delicate nature, such as a
rue gentleman ana cltlZen WOulu pay 10 Il
adv holding so high place in the affairs Of
he government Miss Sweet responded IN a !
ew sentences which expressed her love for
lowers, her appreciation OF the most appro |
pirate token that could have been rendered
Ter, and her earnest desire to discharge the |
iuties of her Office in q manner satisfactory
% all Such old soldiers as were present, and
others, then came forward and greeted the
pension agent with words Of welcome and
thanksgiving for the manner in which she
discharges those duties.
COMMENTS.
The net results Of the reunion are: A big
rowd in Ottawa each day; supreme enjoy
neut by all, both visitors and citizens; the
uccessful carrying out Of an elaborate pro
,ramme, said by many to be too large an un
le rtaking; no. an accident Of serious ma
ure; Earl Post covered itself with glory and
5 now entitled to take rank among the first
# the civic societies Of the city; and, fnan-
tally the reunion was succcss-about 500
we're received for gate money, which added
o the subscriptions will just about clear ex-
,enses.
Miss Ada G Sweet, Pension Agent, Chica. |
70, came dow on Wednesday, the guest of
Mayor Allen, and remained the balance Of
he reunion. She was heartily welcomed by !
he pensioners present.
An Informal reunion Of the lOith Infantry
was instituted and Col. Hapeman directed /