Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-09-04

the brigade General was on the point of
my bayonet. He went on, and then re-
turned and said in tone that thought
had something of sarcasm in it. young
man, there are two regiments of infan-
try coming along behind NEEDN'T
modest them, don't modest themn'
daughter and applause.) Well, in a
few moments they came along, but |
didn't modest them.
At the conclusion of Col. Woodward's
speech, Gen. Gibbon thanked him for
his excellent remarks and "reminiscences
of the first battle of Bull Run, and said
he had been reminded during their re-
cital of an Irishman who was asked if
he run like all the rest of them at that
battle. He said, ''You bet, did, them
that didn't are there YETI
Capt. l.. Harris related that he heard
an intelligent eontrabrand give his Vi
sion of the battle, He said, "Oh, yes.
| was at de fust battle of Bull Run. l
was where de bullets were thickest. "
"Where was that?' some one asked.
81 was hid under de ammunition wag-
on he replied. Another contraband
said he got three balls under his left
weskit-they were Goldfish balls
General Gibbon related something
about how he tried to enforce discipline
| aurlxy 10
at first volunteer would walk up to
him with pipe in his mouth and say,
''Cap, would like to 60 and see the
boys this afternoon. | admit | was
| shocked.
General Fairchild was called upon
and made few remarks of the follow
ing tenor:
Comrades: We have had very pleas
ant time. We shall leave here better
men for it. The strongest ties in the
world outside of family ties bind SOL
diers together-soldiers of the same
corps, division, brigade, down to the
same regiment and company. We meet
each other with great pleasure, and it
is one of the greatest events of our lives
when we are enabled to come together
tonight have grown up since the war,
and it is almost impossible for them to
appreciate the ties of feeling that bind
old soldiers. We meet together tonight
under pleasant auspices, and there has
been apparent joviality and cheerful
ness. 1t was not fun for this brigade
twenty-five years ago. 1t was heart
Sickness and death and sorrow. All
over this country women in tears were
praying to God to comfort their hearts
because their husbands and sons and
brothers were dying on battle fields.
But in spite of the stream of death
that flowed in spite of the dead and
wounded bodies that were brought
home; in spite of the sorrow and heart
bleeding, and in spite of the ranks that
were decimated by death, men enlisted
and went to the front. 1t is worth while,
my young friends, for you to know what
this cause cost % years ago. You look
upon us, perhaps, like lot of braggarts
who blow our own achievements; but /
tell you, young friends, back of all this
there is more heartache in the bosoms
of these men than you can imagine
They remember their old comrades
% years ago, who will never attend these
reunions, and they remember the great
love that animated them, the love of
country. 1t is great heritage which
the boys in blue gave you, and all | ask
you is that you and your children and
childrens children, shall endeavor to
preserve the fruits of their work-a
united country.
| call your attention to another thing.
In all the discussion here to-day and
yesterday, you have not heard one
single word of hatred for our late enc
mics. Not one. "Out of the fullness
of the heart the mouth speaketh"
There is no lack of love in the heart for
those who were in the ranks against us
ANY man who served in the rebel army
might be present at these reunions
and he would hear no word that
would bring the flush of anger
not one; and when we praise
our victories, we praise Indirect
ly those from whom we gained them,
for they were victories over no pol
troons, no towards. These reunions are
valuable for another thing. They inn
press upon the young loyalty for their
mother land. The strongest feeling in
the heart, outside of love of wife and
children, is love of country. That
which has cost much is the object of
solicitude and love, and the preserva-
ton of this country has cost the union
soldiers enough to render it an object of
very great love indeed.
Personally, it has been very happy
time for me. We ere glad that our old
commander is with us, and we hope the
good Lord will spare him, and keep
him as handsome as he is for many
long years
If you will come to Madison and
bring your wives and sweethearts
Though you are getting pretty old for
sweethearts) we will open our doors to
you all
At the conclusion of Gen. Fairchild's
remarks three cheers were proposed and
given for him.
Gen. Gibbon was then called upon.
He responded as follows:
ComradeS:-l can only repeat what
Fairchild has said, and said so well.
Whilst he was speaking | felt that he
was saying just exactly what | would
like to say myself. 1t is true, as he said,
that no one of our late enemies could
take exception to a single remark made
by us. 1t reminds me of q scene that
took place at Appomattox Court House
when Lees army marched through into
our lines and out back to the rear, after
having filled their haversacks from our
commissary department, and each fur
nlshed with certificate that he was
paroled prisoner, and that SO long as he
obeyed the laws of the country he would
not be molested. AS they marched
through our ranks -defeated-a con-
quered foe-our men scanned them
closely to see these fellows they had
been fighting. But you would not have
heard word from the whole army of
abuse or contempt; not a jeer or gibe,
or word that those defeated men could
possibly take exception to. The rebels
were astonished. Some of them were
overheard tO say. tsWhV Iva dam, M