The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-08-23
OLD CAMP GROUNDS.
More About the Wilson Creek Reunion.
Royal Rallies Elsewhere.
Special Correspondence National Tribune.

county was astlr with the excitement of pre-
pairing for and attending the great Reunion.
On Tuesday every train into this city was
filled with veterans, and the roads leading in
were lined with vehicles of all descriptions
from Daae, Dallas Polk, Hickory, Lawrence,
and Greene counties. Besides the veterans,
there were in camp the first night the Carthage
and Springfield Light Guard companies. Col.
John E. Phelps, who commanded the Second
Arkansas (Union) cavalry, was in charge of
the camp and displayed his well-known execu-
tive ability in the disposition of quarters to
the great crowd. The camp presented de-
cdedly military appearance.
Wednesday was occupied by the veterans in
comparing notes of war experiences, soldiers
that had served in either armies recalling to
each other almost forgotten incidents. There
was competitive drill between the two COM
panies of Light Guards and concert by the
Carthage band in the evening
Thursday morning the procession of the vet
Grams and military moved to the public square,
where the formal exercises of welcome took
place. In the procession were many fragments
of flags that showed in their tatters the hard
service they had gone through. Ex-Governor
John s. Phelps, who is resident of Springfield,
extended hearty welcome to all. He said
that the assemblage was the largest ever con-
vened in Southwest Missouri; that it was no
political occasion, but meeting to commence
rate the most important engagement in the
But the survivors of the battle have assembled to
meet their old comrades in arms, as well those
against whom they commended; to talk the
incidents of that battle; to revisit the battIefed
TO polnt out the places they occupied and the spot
where some conrade, friend, relative fell. How
pleasant it Ii to recall to our memory departed
| friends!
He paid glowing tribute to the wives,
mothers and sisters of the soldiers, and, in con-
clusion, spoke of the improvements of Spring
| field.
| Gen. Charles W. Blair of Fort Scott, Kan,
responded in behalf of the visiting Union vet
Grams. In the course of his eloquent speech he
| said:
Twenty-Five years ago you and met on yonder
bloody field and looked each other in the face along
| the cleaning barrels of muskets; and when
the war was over we all subsidized into the old pur-
| suits of civil life. Time has dealt kindly with US
| all and bound US together by many ties. We
| here to-day to riVet the new bonds Whatever
bitterness may have been in past days between the
| soldiers of the contendng armies. when the
was ended they were willing to meet on common
ground In defense of the honor and liberty of our
| common country
| Gen. Blair was followed by u. S. Senator
Walker, of Arkansas; Gen. Pearce, of Texas
| who participated in the battle of Wilson's
Creek, and Governor Berry, of Arkansas. After
the last speaker had concluded the crowd
| gradually dispersed
In the evening the public square was again
|
the city and unwilling of the Lyon monument.
Col j. L. Tracey made a very eloquent pre-
sentation speech and rendered the monument
to Mayor McGregor, who introduced the orator
| of the evening, Col w. FL. Merritt, of Des
| Moines, Iowa, who was ieutenant-colone of
| the First Iowa infantry at the battle. Col.
| Merritt delivered a grand speech highly eulo-
CYSTIC of Gen. Lyon, which was heard with
great pleasure and greeted with loud applause.
| He was followed by several speakers and it
| was quite late when the square became silent
once more.
THE SCENE AT THE BATTLE GROUND.
Early Friday morning the road to the battle
ground was covered with motley array of
vehicles of all description, while many were
trudging along on foot. The committee had
made arrangements with the Frisco Road to
run special trains to Brookline, and then trans
fer on farmers wagons, &c, to the place where
the exercises occurred. The speakers stand
was erected on an elevation, half mile dis
tant from Bloody Hill." From the time OF
their arrival until IL o'clock. when the exer-
cises began, rebels and Federals locked arms
and walked over the scenes that recalled the
fight.
Lieutenant Governor Campbell of Missouri,
welcomed the Reunion visitors in an eloquent
address. He was followed by Colonel Merritt,
who, In the course of his speech, gave the fol-
lowing statement about the disposition of Gen.
eral Lyons remains:
There are also many conflicting and consequently
untrue accounts of the treatment and recovery of
his body on the field and afterwards. This much
| know: When shot, he was supported till death
by his servant and Major Schoiield, and he lived
but ten fifteen minutes after he fell As soon as
he was dead, Major 5chofeld placed the body in
an ambulance, with orders to the driver to take it
to Springfield. 1t would seem that in the excite
ment OF the moment the driver was not informed
that 1t was Lyons body, for soon after Schotied 5
leaving 1t to join his command, some stretcher men
body out and filed the vehicle with living wound
ed, who were transported to Springfield. We were
| retiring, not on tile douhe-quick, but in somewhat
OF hurry--in fact, retiring very fast. inquiries
for Lyons body brought out the facts. was sent
for, and in the city before o'clock next morning.
am particular in stating these facts, because there
has been much adverse newspaper criticism of Gen.
eral Schofeid's conduct.
Several other speakers followed, one of whom,
Sam. Wood, of Kansas, delivered very bright
and witty speech that kept the crowd in a
| roar.
In the afternoon the survivors formed vet
eran association. The minutes of this organ
ization are as follows:
OAK HILL BATTLE-GROUND August To- 1883.
| Pursuant to announcement of last evening a
temporary organization of the Surviving Sol
diers' Union League i" was effected by the election
of Private James Smith, president; Captain Dick
Collins, viee-president; Private Henry Welker,
secretary; Private Thomas c. Love, treasurer, and
Lieut.-Col. III. Cameron, general manager. The
objects of the organization to cultivate rater-
nifty, strengthen union promote peace, and secure
prosperity.
Among the names appended to the cali for q
meeting to organize the S. 5. u. L.. are Col w. H.
Merritt, of Des Mones Iowa; Henry Welker St
Louis. Mo-; Jerry w. Tallman, Crocker, Mo-; II.
Cameron, Lawrence, Kan; Dick Collins Lafayette
county, Mo-; james Smith, Seymour Mo-, and
about fifty Others from various States.
The officers were directed by resolution to cor
respond with prominent persons who, in their
judgment, would be apt to take an active part in
the movement, and as far possible arrange for a
permanent organization. JAMES SMITH,
| HENRY WFLKER, President.
| Secretary.
The occasion has been grand one and en-
joyed by everybody, and not one unpleasant
incident occurred to mar the general happiness.
REGIMENTAL REUNIONS.
The Reunion of the Thirteenth regiment,
Indiana volunteers, at Camp Morton was
o success. A large number of the "boys u
were present. General r. S. Foster was elected
president, and George S. Lowry secretary.
Captain Samuel Morrison and Clark jennings
of Missouri, were present, as well large
number from various parts of this State.
The Fourth Indiana cavalry, sixty-one men,
bers, held o meeting in Superior Courtroom,
No. 2. Colonel L. s. Shuler made a few re-
marks, aud permanent organization was
effected with the following officers for the en-
suing year, Thomas Williams, president; VIM.
P. Knight, vice presdant; w. H. Twins, Sec
l y