The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-07-23
soldiers and sailors, Reunion

The seventh annual reunion of the sol
diers and sailors of Southwestern Michigan,
will be held at Benton Harbor, August 18th,
18th, goth and 21st, 1895. AL railroads will
carry both soldiers and citizens attending
the reunion, for one fare for the round trip.
The commanding officers of the organiza-
ton are as follows: Gen. George T. Shaffer,
Col. Comdg. B. F. Heckert, Paw Paw. Lieut.
Col; G. Edwin Dunbar, Kalamazoo, Major.
K. l.. Warren, Albion, and Col. d. Bacon,
Niles, chairman and secretary of the execu-
tive committee, have issued the following
address for and on behalf of the committees
The time IL near at hand wher thousands of those
who survived the perils Of the war viii again meet
to exchange greetings, and live over, in memory.
the incidents OF life at the front. The officers of
the association will strive to make the reunion of
1885, the equal of those which have been so enioya-
BILE, and attracted such wide attention in the past
The publication OF the register OF those in attend
ance last year has been the of bringing together
many old comrades. This feature will be continued
and improved, and every soldier aud sailor in at
tendance is urgently requested to see to Il that his
name, company, regiment, rank and postofice ad-
dress is correctly registered.
Gen. Geo. T. Shafer, who commanded the camp
80 successfully at Diamond lake, viii be in com
mand this year. The camp viii be located where all
will bave the advantage and comfort OF shade and
be free from the annoyance OF dust No teams will
be required to transpo-. baggage, as the G. 4 W.
M. aad the Wabash roads pass on either side of the
grounds.
Benton Harbor presents many attractions, and
her people are manifes..ng commendable zeal in
their determination to give the boys" +" glorious
welcome.
The soldiers and sailors need no word to remind
them that the ranks are being thinned With alarm
ing rspidity, and to many the reunion OF this year
viii possibly be the last Let US then gather while
may and make tho annual reunions OF tine associ-
alton occasions of great interest aud enjoyment TO
those whose bond of affection was welded in the
hre of battle.
The people OF Benton Harbor have pledged 10
provide rations of meat, potatoes, conee, sugar,
bread, butter, beans, SALT pepper, etc, ready for
table but the soldiers Will be expected to fur
nish their dishes, draw their rations from the
commssary, and look to their own table accom-
modations. Ample table room viii be furnished.
Soldiers not belonging 70 any organization, are
qussted, II possible. to attach themselves to one
temporarily for convenience in drawing rations.
II should be understood then that each soldier
and sailor must carry with him his own blankets,
Dishes and such other necesssries as judgment will
dictate, for a few days enjoyment in camp. Post
Commanders AID all others having charge Of com
panies are earnestly requested urge these require
ments upon the attention OF all.
Tie reunions are growing so large thstit is be-
yond the power OF any community to meet all the
wants OF the soldiers. Comrades, we must be less
dependent and help ourselves as far as possible
The nearer approach absolute indepeadence tho
more enjoyable our gatherings VIII become. Trust
ting that there may be diminution in interest, and
that the reunion Of 1885 may AFFORD abundant op-
portunity for revivng old friendships, and that the
camp fires may be kept brightly burning we extend
cordial invitation 10 every old soldier and sailor
70 meet With the aasocatI1n at Benton Harbor.