Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-09-17
FIGHTING THEIR BATTLES OVER.
Veterans Of the Army of the Tennessee
Hold Their Eighteenth Annual
Rsunion.

see held its eighteenth annual reunion in
Chicago on the 9th and 10th of September,
Gen. Sherman presiding. There was a
large attendance. including Gen. Logan,
Cows. Alger of Michigan, Sherman Of Iowa,
Oglesby of Illinois, ex-Gov. Fletcher Of
Missouri. Gen. J. B. Sanborn of Minne-
sofa, Gen. G.. M. Dodge of Iowa. Gems.
Hickenlooper and Force of Ohio, and
Bishop Fallows of Chicago. The Treas
urers report showed $40, 900 cash on hand.
Gems. Sherman, Logan, Oglesby, and
Raum, and Bishop Fallows were selected
to prepare resolutions on the death
of General Grant. Governor Oglesby
delivered the address of welcome. He Of
fered them in behalf OF the soldiers of
Illinois their platter, canteen, and cup. He
had heard something of their deeds, knew
something of their fame, and had strong
sentiment of gratitude for the glorious work
they had accomplished in the days gone by.
AS the guardians of a nations life, and the
representatives of one of the great armies
OF the country, he bade them welcome to
the hospitable soil of Illinois. Gen.
Sherman delivered an address eulo-
CYSTIC of the late Gen. Grant.
The speaker accepted all the hospitalies
extended, and then said he would devote
his attention to "the old and first COM
mander." 1t was Gen. u. s. Grant who
had, during the cold winter of 1861162,
raised company at Cairo, ILL.,, and ii was
he who took his final leave of his family
and friends on earth on July %, 1885; all
were willing to admit that mankind had lost
a kindred spirit. His comrades who had
shared with him the trials of the campaigns
from Henry to Vicksburg, knew better than
any other that great soldier, a loving man,
and wise statesman had been taken of.
Hundreds, aye, nousauds OF pens were
gagged in an effort to describe the man who
did SO much in so short a time. These
looked to the comrades of the Army of the
Tennessee for information which ought to
be forthcoming, and which he would try to
give. He met Grant at West Point in 1889.
The speaker was then a classman, a more
exalted position, he asserted, than he had
ever reached since, although he had been
reasonably successful in life. One day
number of the classmen were perusing q
list Of names of cadets, and among them
appeared that of ~. S. Grant" This was
regarded as somewhat singular name, and
the boys began to cogitate as to what the
initials ~. S. meant some thought they
meant United States, others that the IS.
meant "Sam," and still others "Uncle
Sam" However, Grant served under the
name of "Sam" in the Mexican war in the
| Fourth Infantry. The speaker knew very
| lit lie of Grant while at West Point
because one was classman and
the other was plebe, and classmen would
hardly deign to notice plebes. Grants rep
| u alton while serving in the Fourth In
| fantry in the Mexican war was that or a
j willing officer, ever ready to do the lighting,
/ extremely social md friendly with his fel-
lows; but in no sense did he display those
qualities that were developed during the
| civil war; IT was the old commander who
had restored order when chaos had been
| let loose and the gates of hell were wide
| open all around. He raised the dark cur
tain that enshrouded the Federal command
ers when he won the victory at Belmont, so
that it was only necessary to follow the
course mapped out. He did not care how
battle was fought SO long as it was won.
In closing, Gen. Sherman said it was
| fit ting that the dead hero should find his
| last rest ng place in New York. and hoped
| that any monume nts to be erected would,
| like himself, be strong and simple. He
then introduced Gen. Sanborn.
Gen. j. B. Sanborn also paid an elo-
quent and graceful tribute to Gen. Grant
Gen. William f. Villas was then demand
ed by the audience, and gracefully came
| forward when he was received with enthu-
siastic applause.
He said it had been understood that his
part in the programme was to be that of
| silence. He felt that he would be q daring
man indeed who would attempt extern
poraneously to add to the burning words
| of the soldier President and chosen orator
upon that grand theme of Grant
He would, however, touch upon one
feature which added greatly to the fame he
had so Justly earned. He alluded to the
love he had won from the enemies he had
fought, and pictured the grieving ex-Con-
| federate officers standing by the death-bed
of the man who had struck such deadly
blows against them, with tears of honest,
manly sympathy gfistening in their eyes.
Grant had not fought for selfish ambition,
nor waged war through vindictiveness.
| His love of country was too great for this,
and that very love endeared him to his enc
mie 3. II was Grants quiet, earnest labor
| in behalf of returning harmony among
the sections that had materially led
to the grateful reuniting, now hap
| PLY accomplis he'd, OF the once divided and
fiercely fighting sections of the country,
and when he died who were found follow
| ing his body to its last rest but the leading
generals now surviving of the enemies
with whom he combated. He referred to
| the two communications which passed be-
| tween Grant and Buckner, and pictured
Grants joyful reception of the approach
ing unity and peace, and in most eloquent
and feeling terms referred to the fact that
the sunshine of q sweet and enduring
peace was the glorious fruition of the years
| of war.
| Resolutions of respect to the memory of
| the old commander were adopted.
The committee to name officers pre-
sented the following names in their re-
port, which was adopted unanimously:
| President-General w. i. Sherman.
| Vice Presidents-Major George w. Colby, Ct
| Alabama; Colonel w. s. Oliver, of Arkansas
| Captain Richard s. Tuthill, of Illinois; Lieu
| tenant Co onel j. NJ Dresser, OF Indiana: |:
| Major Charles +. Putnam, OF Iowa; Colonel A.
i J. Lsay, of Missouri; Captain w. McCrory, OF
/ Minnesotl; Captsin w. S. Burns, of New York; (;
| General Il. II. Murray, of kentucky; General
| Geo &c Il. Wells, OF Ohio; General J. M. Rusk,
| OF Wisconsin; Major w. M. Dunn. Of the United
| States army.
Corresponding Secretary General A. Hick-
he orJing Secretary--Coionel L. NJ Dayton
Treasurer-General M. Il. Force,
1t was determined to hold the next meet
ing at Rock Island, Ill, Sept. Is and 16,
1886. The reunion concluded with ban
quet at the Grand Pacific Hotel. at which
numerous speeches we're made in response
to toasts. the festivities lasting until nearly
o'clock O. m.