The National tribune., 1884-04-17
VETERANS At SHILOB.
An Interesting Account of their Recent
Excursion TO the Battlefield.
Special Correspondents National Tribune.

NO Urlghter sun ever SnOus on e3rtn tnan
that of Thursday, April Sd, and no happier
party ever started on journey than the one
that left on that morning for the battlefield of
Shiloh, Tenn.
The Grand Union Depot in this city re-
sounded with mirth and music as the various
trains from the Northwest brought in delega-
tions from Iowa, Illinois, aud Minnesota. An
ticipating good Ols time, comrades who had
not met since the battle greeted each other
and over bountiful breakfast commenced the
discussion of the pleasures in store for them.
Promptly on time, the Peoria, Decatur, and
Evansville Railroad train pulled ous amid the
waving of handkerchfefs and the sound of
music by the splendid Audubon Iowa eornet
band.
All along the route crowds greeted the ex-
cursionists, and at Decatur, H.. the G.. A. r.
band of that city joined US and eniiyened the
journey by their old army airs.
The party was composed of veterans in every
walk OF life. Here was to be seen a banker and
there hale, hearty farmer from the fields of
Iowa. Here stood a member of the Iowa Leg
islature, and there mechanic from Indiana
all on Common level now, although twenty
two years ago the one was a general and the
other high private in the rear rank. General
j. vi. futile was there, somewhat older than
when he made for himself name and fame at
Donelson and Shiloh, but still hale and hearty.
By common consent he became commanding
officer OF the expedition.
At Evansville, Ind, the excursionists were
received in grand style by committee of Far
ragut Post, q. A. r., and escorted to the land
ing, where the members of the Post were
drawn up in open order to receive their COM
rades and see them safely aboard the boats.
BY p. N. the excursi0niSts We're snugly
slowed on board the steamers John Gilbert and
w. F. Nisbet, and We're gaily steaming down
the Ohio River. Each steamer carried about
125. passengers, about thirty of the party being
the wives and daughters of veterans. To fol-
low the excursion down the Ohio and up the
Tennessee Rivers; to describe the joyful meet
ing of old comrades, the introductions, the
songs, Stories screams of laughter, and practical
jokes; to give the full details of this-one of
the most enjoyable excursions ever organized
would fill your paper for full month. Suffice
it to say, that business cares and troubles were
for once laid aside, and every excursionist did
his best to enjoy the trip to the fullest extent.
ALONG THE RIVER.
All along the river, crowds of Johnuies iocked
to the landings to hear the bands play and see
the Yanks, the boats, the flags. and all the
gay paraphernalia of the first excursion they had
witnessed since Grants army steamed proudly
up the river. The whole trip was panorama
amusing and instructive to the veterans and
their wives. The thrifty and modern North
west was left behind, and the South Of fifty
years ago was before them. The dwarf oxen
pulled the two-wheeled cart; the mud Chin
ney reared its unshapen form; the lean lank
loafer leaned against the prehistoric warehouse;
the ancient matron land the youthful one, too
dipped snuff, the yellow dog made meager
shadow against the river bank-just as they
did twenty-five years ago. Not even the crash
ing sound of the bands bass horns, or the
lCsty cheers of the veterans of Grants army
could cause the oxen to quicken their step. or
the loafer TO give more than one extra yawn.
Not a cheer greeted the veterans. Indifference
and the chills prevented any energetic demon
stration of joy at our coming. The citizen
looked stolidly on while we passed, and only
here and there a Confederate soldier greeted
US cordially. But the veterans came not TO
visit the living, but to review the past and pay
tribute to the dead.
Early on Sunday morning, April 9Th, we
arrived at Crump's Landing where the boats
landed and remained until all had break tasted.
About ten or twelve comrades left the boats
here to march to the battlefield over the route
taken by Lew Wallace on Sunday. They were
guided by son Of the Crump who lived here
during the battle. After breakfas the steamers
We're dashed together, the bands were placed
in position on the hurricane deck, and the
solemn ride to the battlefield began, the bands
playing Aud Lang Syne." What pen can
describe that ride? What painter can paint the
scene? Every available spot on the decks of
the steamers was occupied by comrades, eager
to catch the first sight of the flag floating over
the cemetery. Ladies wept, and many manly
eye was dinmed by tears as the solemn strains
of music hoated over the water Slowly the
boats approached the wharf and, as the bow Of
each grated on the historic gravel, the veterans
and their ladies slowly stepped on shore.
1t was arranged that Governor Bate, Of
Tenn, a vast concourse of citizens, two Posts
of the G. A. r., aud representatives of the boys
in gray should meet and welcome the exeur-
sionists, but, although members from various
organizations were present, no reception was
attempted, owing, it was claimed, TO q small
pox scare at Savannah.
THE GRAVE OF THE DRUMMER-BoY.
Headed by the two bands, and guided by the
superintendent, captain L. s Doolittle the
procession slowly marched into the cemetery.
Every head was uncovered, as with solemn
step the comrades filed past the grave of the
Drummer Boy of Shiloh and came into full
view of the resting place of their fallen Coma
rades. At a stand in the center OF the ceme-
terry the procession halted, aud the ceremonies
opened with touching prayer by Captain /. j.
Bryant. 18th Illinois infantry, after which the
Audubon band played "Webster's Funeral
March," Captain ID. G.. Smith, of Illinois, was
then introduced, and delivered a touching
memorial Grafton. He concluded with the fol-
| lowing: Gas the quiet steadily flowing current
of the beautiful Tennessee, which perpetually
bathes the hill on which rest our beloved dead,
comes down from the uplands of the South to
join its waters with that of the rivers of the
North, so may current of patriotic love OF
country come from the southwark and join
| others from all parts of the country until they
are all embraced in one sentiment of love and
respect for an inseparahle union of States
| General T. Lyle Dickey, judge of the SUI
preme court of Illinois, spoke very feelingly OF
the death of General w. III. l.. Wallace, who
was his son-in-law, and related numbered
| touching incidents of the battle. The whole
audience then sang Nearer Ny God to,Thee, y
! the band leading with comets. During the
speech of Gen. Diekey and the singing many
| of the audience were affected to tears, and
| many strong man gave way TO uncomfortable
! emotion. After the song :" | Love to Tell the
Story led by a cornet, the audience dispersed
over the cemetery, and many veteran was
overcome with emotion as he found the
| headstone of some beloved meSsmate. o, what
| beautiful spot is the Shiloh cemetery High
up on the bluff overhanging the Tennessee
| River, EMPOWERED among magnolias, pine
arborvitse, and native trees, our comrades have
found resting place as beautiful as it is peace
| full.
EXPLORING THE BATTLEFIELD.
| As soon as teams could be procured the ex
cursionists started out for q thorough explora
| ton of the old battlefield and visit TO then
old quarters. Large parties went under tho
! guidance of natives of the Landing, whose
knowledge of the various localities proved o.