Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-08-06
G. A. r..
Corporal Tanner Captures Austin.

Corporal Tanner Captures Austin.
Saturday evening proved to be live
time for the veterans at their camp fire.
Quite number of old soldiers visiting in
town, attended Mcintyre Post, and after
the disposal Of necessary business, the
time was given up to songs and speeches.
This exercise developed the presence of
Corporal Tanner. well known by reputa-
ton to all the old army boys. 1t was
at once determined to bring out the old
hero before the citizens of Austin, for an
address in Courthouse hall, Sunday
evening.
Sheriff H: B. Corey, G. N. Beiseker
and John V. Owens constituted them
selves Committee on Arrangements.
Notices were sent out as best they
could be under the circumstances, and
Sunday evening witnessed the Court
house hall crowded to it's utmost capaci-
ty, many going away unable to gain
admittance. The wall over the judges
bench was beautifully decorated with
flags, and G. A. R. notices. At 7:45
Corporal Tanner entered the hall escorted
by Sheriff Corey.
The exercises were opened with song,
by Comrade James Mitchell, of Iowa,
and son and daughter. Rev. w. E.
Stanley, chaplain of Mcintyre Post,
offered prayer, after which Willie Mitch
oil rocita1 sNTho old oor+oon
Corporal Tanner was then introduced
to the. audience by the chaplain with a
few words of hearty welcome. $780,,
Mr.. Tanner gave very interesting
address, in which he wove in many very
affecting incidents of army life, includ.
ing numerous incidents from his own
experience.
He alluded to the fact that no day was
too good to talk over the incidents of the
! great war for the preservation of the
Union, as during the war the churches
echoed the prayers and exhortations OF
Gods people in behalf of the right cause.
The war had done much for the church
in cutting off a great national evil.
He had found misconception of army
life quite prevalent. Many thought it
was only demoralizing, and yet as noble
lives were lived in the army, and as
noble Christian deaths died there, as in
times of peace. The church owed the
army for much of the inspiration OF
some of it's popular songs, as Hold the
Fort" founded on the incident of the
heroic defense of Altoona Pass. He
then gave recital of his army expe
rience as a member of the 97th New
York Infantry.
Traced his steps along through the
battles Of the Peninsula Campaign; I'm.
til. he was mustered out at Chantilly
in 1862 by Stonewall Jackson, when a
she'll swept off both his feet. He gave
interesting details Of the soul harrow.
ing sufferings of the wounded after
the battle, abiding to the fact that
six soldiers lying in one tent had lost
among them seven limbs. He narrated
a very affecting incident of the dying
soldier giving his last message to the
surgeon to send to his wife in Michigan
to teach his little boys such patriotic prin
ciples as would lead them to emulate his
example, should the country ever de-
mand the sacrifice.
Corporal Tanner spoke eloquent words
in behalf of the Grand Army boys, and
commended them to the regard of their
fellow citizens. The heroes who i'm.
perilled their lives for the defense of the
country were to be sought not half way
across a continent, but were to be seen
everywhere upon our streets. Two
things he wanted to see done: the curse
of Mormonism blotted out, and the right
of suffrage conferred on woman.
| The meeting was brought to close
with song by the Mitchell family,
Marching through Georgia" and bene.
diction by the Chaplain.
After the close of the exercises, large
number of our citizens were introduced
to the speaker. Corporal James Tanner
IS justly held in high estimation by the
veterans for his interest in their welfare,
and has shown himself untiring in his
efforts to secure just and wise legislation
in their behalf. He was formerly com
mander Of the Department of New York.
He made the appeal at the Grand En-.
campment at Minneapolis, in behalf of
John +. Johnson, of the old First Mime
sofa, who had limb crushed and ampu.
tated the first day of the celebration, and
received q response of over $4,000.
He also spoke at the Grand Banquet on
the theme The Volunteer Soldier"
The large assembly, comprising the
very brain and heart Of Austin, which
assembled at the courthouse Sunday
evening. evinced not only the welcome
they desired to pay an old soldier, but
the fact that the fires Of genuine patriot.
ism still burn deeply in the hearts Of the
people.
The address made BY Corporal Tanner
was the most timely and eloquent effort
in the line of war matters an Austin au.
ldience has ever listened to. i
Mrs: Tanner accompanies him and they
will return to their home in Brooklyn
Tomorrow.
q THE CHINESE MUsT Go And 90 m,1s