The National tribune., 1884-09-04
SOLDIERS AT CHICAGO
The Reunion Attended by More Than
1000 Veterans.

The Reunion of the soldiers and sailors of
the Northwest commenced on the 26th ult. and
continued four days at the Driving Park, in
Chicago. Four thousand veterans of the late
war and between three and four thousand OF
their friends participated in the exercises,
which were of the most interesting description.
The grounds presented a most lively and in
teresting scene, and one that recalled old times
TO the veterans in attendance In the eastern
portion of the grounds could be seen myriads
of tents assigned to the use of visiting veterans.
Numerous bright colored flags decorated the lit
tie canvas houses and occasionally the sound
of the fife, so dear to the heart of the soldier,
could be heard In the center of the encamp-
ment were the offices and tents OF the officers,
all calmly bedecked with bunting, streamers,
and the Stars and Stripes. The pagoda i'm
mediately in front of the grand stand was orna-
mented with huge paintings of Generals Grant,
Sherman and Sheridan.
The first day was particularly lively-all day
long regiments, companies and Posts arriving
the majority of them headed by fife and drum
corps, and each new arrival being heralded with
cheers and shouts from those already assembled.
AT 2 p m. the arrival of Generals Logan and
Oglesby, Gov. Hamilton and Mayor Harrison
was announced. They were met by a COM
mittee and escorted to the speakers stand,
which was crowded, half of the 5000 people
present standing below on the race track. Gen.
McNulta, amid deafening cheers, took the
stand and introduced as the first speaker Gov.
Hamilton, who made most eloquent speech
of welcome. At the conclusion of Gov. Hamil-
tons speech, amid deafening cheers,
GEN. JOHN A. LOGAN
stepped to the front of the stand, and as soon as
quiet was restored, responded as follows:
The American citizens that you welcome here to-
day by your very able and eloquent address are the
representatives of the men of the Northwest who,
actuated purely by patriotic motives went into the
service of the Union for its preservation and per-
petuation. They were moved not by desire for
pecuniary gain, for vainglory, but for the pres
ervation and perpetuaton OF a Union founded upon
republican ideas.
They loved liberty and hated slavery; the
they preserved and the other they destroyed.
They loved the Union and hated secession; the
one they shattered and stranged, the other they
made living type of republican liberty. Where
liberty sham and mockery before they made
it a reality; where an aTistocracy ruled and con-
trOlled, based upon the idea of the ownership of
human beings. they planted the seeds from which
republican ideas spring. Sir, they stretched forth
their strong of patriotic devotion and steadied
the rocking pillars that stood beneath that tottering
fabric of ours, and out of the old they made new
Republic for betterrnent, for our own protection,
and the protection and benefit of coming genera
tons To these men, sir and their comrades be-
long the greatest credit that to be shared by any
for saving the grandest Republic that existed.
These men, sir, unlike the armies of some other
countries, were selected from the young. the
marched in the heat of the day and the darkness of
the night; through swamps, over hills, mountains,
and valleys. They fought by daylight and in the
night time. They unfiIred the flag of our fathers,
and carried 1t in triumph from the lakes in the
North 10 the gulfs of the South. They opened the
highways for our commerce and gave to this coun-
try the grandest triumph and success recorded in
history Sir, for their patriotic devotion, they
entitled TO credit from all people of this land.
The man who, being young and vigorous, pro-
tected himself behind the forIifications of quiet
home, while these marched, suffered, and bied
for their country, who now INDUCES in vile abuse
and assalis the patriotism and reputation of any
trEe soldier, Is a bastard unworthy the name of
American citizen. God forbid that they or any of
| them shall ever be required to apologize for the
crutch they carry or for the wooden limbs they
wear TO those who would have destroyed the Cow
ernment those who delight in assailing
| those who aided IN saving IL.
These mems achievements made it possible for
| all men to enjoy the liberties and privileges of
American citizens. They opened the way TO the
people of tins country TO develop and bring forth
the greatest prosperity that has been known to the
people OF any country in all time.
As night comes the stars, studding the plains of
heaven, light up mans pathway through shadows
OF eve time SO, too receded. leaving its
dark shades over humanity, that old starry banner
nights OF secession and there piueked the wreath
of glory that now bedeeks the brow of every Amer
lean citizen. So may it ever be that the light of
liberty and true Christian civilization shall pen
citrate whatever dark shadows may still exist until
pure glory from institutions may fash out to
| illuminate the minds and hearts Of all people.
toningt the services of my state. Illinois fur
nished $50 regiments OF infantry, ls5 941 men; IL
regiments OF cavalry, 320s2 men, and two regi-
ments of artillery and nine independent batteries,
| 7,217 men Total enlisted, 225 800 men.
OF these only 72,0 were mustered out at the ex-
piration of service with their commands showing
that I53 2l1 discharged killed died of wounds
and disease missing, etc. OF these s75 died in An
| dersonvie Prison. During the service there were
1,9I3 men enlisted in the old 31st regiment the
/ had the honor to raise and command at the out
break of the war. OF this number only $50 mus
tered out with the regiment July 10, 1866; killed in
action died of wounds and disease, and discharged
1,423. These were the only troops had the honor
| 70 enlist for any purpose at any time or place
| They were all enlisted in our patriotic army for
the preservation OF the Union, and how well they
did their duty.
Gen. Logan was followed by Mayor Harri.
son, ex-Gov. 0glesby, and Gen. Black, all three
of these gentlemen making speeches that were
applauded to the echo.
At the conclusion of Gen. Blacks speech
Gen. Logan was escorted TO the quarters o
Abraham Lincoln Relief Corps, No. g. where
amid cheers and shouts, he raised beautiful
silk flag to the staff surmounting the tent.
line was then formed, headed by Gen. Lo
gan and Mrs. Roby (who superjntended the
Relief Corps at the Encampment), which
marched to the Woman's Relief Corps Depart
Inent, where it was announced that Gen. Lo
gan would
CARVE A ROAST PIG.
1
ton, the General donned large apron and
with carving knife in hand, soon reduced tn,
porker to slices.
A bouquet was then presented to Gen. Logar
by the ladies of the Corps, the name of ever,
flower having for its initial letter one which
when combined with the others, formed th
words:
success TO LOGAN"
The remaining three days were passed yer,
pleasantly by the veterans, though the weathe
at times was bad reunions, competitive
drills, target practice and various sports ant
diversions filling up the time.
Reunion at Fort Wayne.
The Reunion held at Fort Wayne, Ind, Aug
%, %, "a and % was brilliant success, bein
attended by more than 5000 veterans Th
camp was well lighted by electricity and every
thing possible was done for the convenienc
| and comfort of the visitors. On the first da,
of the Encampment Col Geo. Humphreys wa
, chosen presiding officer and Capt. Dougal
master of ceremonies The exercises wer
| opened with prayer by Rev. Mr.. Wilson, al
old war Chaplain. Hon. E. p Randall. For
, Wayne's war Mayor Gen Joe Dodge and 9th
ers delivered speeches, which were intersperse,
! with old war songs. In the evening there wa
! a special muster of 73 comrades into Sion S
: Bass Post.
The second day grand parade, with NOR
I than 5000 veterans in line and a number 0
E Grand Army Posts, marched through the prin