The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-04-09
AFTER MANY YEARS!
Tle Brave Old Veterans Clasp
Hands!
A Day Of Solid Enjoyment, Lib
orally Sprinkled With Fun!

Many of our citizens were surprised-not TO
say disheartened and disguised, on waking up
on Tuesday morning, to find it raining steady
shower, which lasted nearly all day. Still a
large crowd attended the Reunion. The morn
ing train brought great crowd, and much
larger crowd came on the up train. At half
past ten O'Clock the Band began playing in the
square near the Court House, and marched to
Jones Hall, which was soon filled with people.
The flags of the Fifty-Third had been brought
from Columbus, and these-three in number
were arranged in front, in full view of the brave
boys who had followed them SO long. Stand
ing near these, the choir sang The American
Flag There strange suggestiveness in
the music and the spectacle of the brave old
banners the boys had followed from 62 to 65.
After the storms, the exposure, the battles, and
the terrible experiences of war, the old flags
after years of seclusion, again greet the breeZes
they love so well:
Above the tempest maddening
The sunbeams swtetly play.
And pain and anguish fly before
The flag view to-day;
We look upon each beauteous fold
Bright shining meath the sun,
And recognize that friend of old
The flag of sIXTY-oNE.
On weary march, tented field
] hat banner loated free
And lifting battle-smoke reveafd
That sign of Liberty;
Twas borne aloft by gallant men
Clad in the Union Blue
Some rally meath its folds again,
The flag OF. sIxTY-Two.
1t foated on the battles breath,
1t dropped above the slain;
And countless messengers of death
Assailed its stars in vain;
No foe could trail that banner bright,
Sweet emblem of the free
1t shone amid the thickest fight,
The flag of sIxTY-THREE.
The foeman knew its .colors well,
And at each bold advance,
He saw it wave, in gentle swell,
Above the rifles glance;
And where the struggling heroes bled
Amid the battles roar,
He saw 1t waving O. er his head
The flag of sIxTY-FoUR.
Forever shine each radiant star
Upon its field of blue,
And to each glorious, crimson bar
God keep our purpose true;
Some praised the flag with parting breath
But some yet alive
Who followed it for life death
The flag of sIXTY-FIvE.
Long may the grand old banner
With broad majestic sweep,
Above the SILENT lonely grave,
Which marks heroes sleep;
Oh, let it wave o'er us to-day,
Enthroned in freedoms light
No craven heart shall e'er betray
That emblem of the Right.
On the left side of the stage large por-
trait of Gen. Grant, on the left center that of
Lincoln, on the right that OF Garfield, and in
the center the fine large portrait of glorious
sold Frank" Smith. Flags were numerous, and
on either side of the stage were arranged cards
with the names of the principal battles in
which the Fifty-Third participated.
The Band played "Hail Columbia" at the
opening of the exercises. Rev. G. Tedford, of
the Presbyterian Church, offered prayer. Then
followed the Address of Welcome by D. Mack
ley.
Capt. Baird's response to the Address of We'll
come was mastery effort, though brief The
Captain closed his remarks with an appeal to
the boys to SO live during the remainder of their
days on earth that they will all meet in grand
Reunion in the great camp beyond the river.
1t was decided by unanimous vote to send
an expression of sympathy to Gen. Grant. The
then sang the beautiful song
"Many and Bright are the Stars that Appear"
followe by a historic address by Gen. w. S.
Jones. The brave General was received with
uproarious applause by the old veterans. Then
music by the Martial Band. Major E. c. Dawes
offered a resolution to effect permanent or
ganization-which was carried unanimously
A letter from Gen. Sherman was read, ex-
pressing regret that he could not be here The
boys received the expression with cheers for the
writer
The veterans now adjourned to he old City
Hall for dinner. Here five long ia les, the full
length of the hall, were loaded with great ar
ray of good things. AS the veterans filed up
the stairway into the dining hall where the Ia
dies were ready to welcome them, the
Little 10 Band struck up 'sThe Girl Left Be-
hind Me-" Soon all were ranged around the
tables, and season of solid enjoyment fol-
lowed, resem bling, in its merriment, some of
the scenes of the old camp life. After dinner,
on motion OF Sergeant Brewster, a vote of
thanks was rendered the ladies of Jackson for
Their handsome reception of the old soldiers.
The decorations of the dining were
beautiful, long strings of flags hanging in fes-
toons about the room. More than two hundred
persons ate dinner here.
After dinner the crowd went to the Court
House. where permanent organization was
effected: Wells s. Jones, President, E. c.
Dawes, J. P. Dukes and James D. Roberts. Vice
Presidents, c. X. Crunit, Secretary, Sergeant
Brewster, Treasurer. The meeting was address
ed by Col. Mccormick, of the Seventy-Seventh
Ohio.
A sad scene was presented when DIR. Crumit
brought out the unclaimed Veteran Medals,
and began to call over the names. Many were
called who did not respond, and we give few
names here, to show the nature of the reading |
and responses:
R. w. Horton-"Killed at Atlanta
Sergeant Smith-"Kiled."
Silas Rice-"Dead."
T. Hines-'Dead."
James Bowman - Died at Andersonville |
prison."
r. Hood-"Dead. Was hung"
B. Ford -"Killed at Kenesaw."
NJ. J. .Smith-''Killed at Kenesaw."
81. w. Shepherd-"Killed at Kenesaw."
These responses came from soldiers in differ
INT parts of the room, and had a strange, SOL
smn effect. They were present and saw their
fall, some saying that they had car