The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-09-24
REUNION VETERANS
or. THE ARMY OF WEST VIRGINIA
At IrOntop, OhIO-Ths speeches Of Ex.PrsSIdsnt
Hayes and Gov. PIsrpOat-Affsetlng and
Pathetic eScenss-Har RsminiseeSess.
The PlsetlOn OF OHesr.

7~NN-~SS
Of West Virginia held here, closed its third
and last day this evening. Notwiths;and
ing the rain somewhat interfered with the
carrying out Of the detailed programme
the promise Of the committee Of arrange
ments that the comrades assembling should
be given hearty welcome and a good time
was fully complied'with.
TIE affair opened on Wednesday, on
which day the old veterans, Of all ranks
and grades, arrived by every train. They
were cordially received and pleasantly
quartered in hotels, private residences and
in the buildings at the fair grounds, which
were clean and cheerful and made comfort
able with straw, etc. ,
Before General Gibson mad concluded
his oration on Thursday, the rain set in
heavily, but The audience wonld not Jet
him close, and he went on at their request,
they hearing him through. The rain pre-.
vented carrying out the evening pro.
gramme. On Friday the event oil the occa.
sion took place, the parade Of the veterans.
On the arrival OF the procession at the fair
grounds Governor Foster was the first
speaker. He was followed by several others,
on whom General En- ochs, the Vice-Presi.
dent presiding, would call without word
OF warning and frequently greatly to the
surprise OF the person 80 suddenly an
nounced. Captain ]. S. Hassler, Col. Van
Bukey and Capt. F. S. Shaw, OF West Vir-
ginia, were among thoFe called out.
p AFTERNOON.
The rain came up about o'clock and
drove many people home. About 3 the
sun came out and the programme was pro.
ceeded with, but emily TO be interrupted
shortly after by one OF the heaviest falls Of
rain | have ever seen. Everybody on the
grounds got soaking wet, and az quick as
they could left for home. And then very
suddenly and rather unceremoni0usly
closed one OF the most pleasant and most
successful OF their reunions Ny
OF course, next to the meeting with one
another Of old comrades manyof whom
had but Just looked each other in the face
for the first time since the war, the features
OF interest were the public speeches
They were all good. Many were wholly
devoted to "reminiscences OF the war,
abounding with anecdote, humorous or
pathetic incidents, or recital OF marches,
battles, etc. Others took q wider range,
and treated OF matters Of public policy
and statesmanship, particularly as to the
war OF the rebellion, its causes and effects.
Among thcsstnotably, were the speeches OF
General Hayes, Ex-Governor Pierpont,
Governor Foster and Major Mckinley.
They were all profound, and in the treat.
ment Of the various topics discussed,
as for instance the currency, suffrage, edu.
cation, payment OF the national debt, pro.
gre2s and development Of the country,
showed study aud research.
Ex-President Hayes, in one OF hissevesal
addresses, like the others, INDUCED in some
"war talk" He touched incidentally on
the membership OF the Army Of West Vir-
ginia, and the membership OF the Society
thereof, which was formed after the war.
He spoke OF those who had belonged to the
Army, but had never been eligible to mem.
bership in the Society-those who died In
the war, so many hundreds OF "unreturn.
ing brayes." Among these from yopr
State OCCUR to me the names Of the gallant
Thoburn, Frost, Morris, Bier. Atthese re.
marks BY the ex-President, himself brave
soldier, wounded on the field OF battle, the
audience was deeply touched. The hespeaker
was himself keenly affected, and spoke in
voice full Of pathos. Strong men, gray
with the wars OF increasing age, young
men and women, all were moved to tears,
Particularly was this true Of the old sol
dierG who had known the honored dead
and had served with them IN the war.
EX-GOVERNOR PIRRpoNr's sPREcu
Ex-Governor Pierpont in his speech al.
luded to the early days Of the war in West
Virginia; when the restored government OF
West Virginia was established in the place
Of thai which had at Richmond cast It's lot
with the Confederacy. The Governor
graphically described thb derE days which
brooded over the Union proper In the
western part OF the State in the winter aud
spring OF 1861. His speech was most in
teresting, aud vas ettentiyely and closely
listened to as he travelled from tbeQe 10
theme, and in his strong and earnest man
ner told how the Union men OF what is
now West Virginia conferred and consulted
together, resolved at oil hasarde 10 Stand
by the Union how they appealed to
the general Government for arms, with
which to equip the men who were willing
to enter the United States service, how
while they were organizing troops for
offence and defence the glad tidings were
flashed to their anxious and heavy hearts
that the brsVe trooDs Of the great States OF
Ohio and Indiana had crovSed the Ohio
and moved into West Virginia. They were
Joined at Grafton by the West Virginia
troops under Eelley, who at their head
had made. the gallant attack on Philippi,
when the brave Kelley, while yalantly
leading bis comrades in the assault on the
rebels was sstricken by leariuiwound, nearly
causing death and disabling him Tor lie.
General Kelley, the old hero" /" said the Gov.
ernor, sis here on the platform. Stand up
General, and let the boys see you again."
Many eyes were wet at this affecting Incl.
dent, as the Governor had touched the old
veterans in tender spot.
Subsequently Gen. Rierpont was made
an honorary member OF the society. He
and his wife and Mrs. Hayes arc the only
persons who enjoy this distinction. q
HOSPITALITY OF THE PEOPLE,.
] should not omit to mention the hospi.
tality OF the people Of Ironton. They lit
orally threw open their doors to the visitors,
hundreds Of private families entertaining
Euests. At the depot was always COM
mites OF reception, and those arriving
were quickly conveyed to quarters. Gen.
Kelley and Coy. Pierpopt, among othe.v
were most enthusiastically received. The
veterans ge.Shal@ed them with atten:
H. M iand;uo from. tha lHu e., tha u,ara
almost carried to the vehicles in waiting,
and 1t was almost force work for them to
get away from hand.shakings.
The reunion proceeded most Pleasantly
to the slos2, snd tonight the boys are
scattering to their homes, many ol them
living miles away. AHafe resolved, Il pos:
sible, to be- present st the reunion next
year, but many will be disappointed no
doubt, as In the meantime death will have
reduced the list Of membership, for as the
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