New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-08-26

Dor.
JUDGE cox's LETTER.
st. Paul. Aug. IS. 1885
P. Scherer, Esq,
Sec., etc, New Ulm, Mimi.
Dear Sir:-Tbe much appreciated in.
vitation Of your committee to partici
pate in the reunion Of the ..Defenders'
ofsNew Ulm is kindly acknowledged.
I have delayed answering, hoping to
respond favorably, and with You on the
memorial anniversary meet the surviv.
ors of the dark and terrible days which
your re-union'is to commemorate, but il
is ordered otherwise without violating
important business engagements not to
be neglected. I can assure you, it is a
great disappointment. to me. From the
earliest days of your city, and county.
l have always held your people in the
highest regard as my warmest, kindest
friends, in whose welfare and prosperi-
ty have ever taken deep and an a.
biding interest, and most sincerely
regret that now, for the first time in
nearly thirty years, ] must be compell-
ed to decline call. when my presence
could be of any assistance, or add in
any manner to the pleasure of your
citizens. But thank God this call,
however, is not one of character of
twenty-three years ago, when blood.
thirsty-savage was revealing in the dy-
ing agonies of the aged father. the de.
fenceless mother, the innocent babe of
your fair land, gloating in atrocities the
bare recital of which makes humanity
stand aghast.
The brave old men who breasted and
staid the march of massacre and rapine
on those memorable days of Au gust
1862, will be with you, they will be
there, and strike hands with the men
of St. Peter, lie Sueur. Mankato and
Sibley who so gallantly fought in the
fight. Would were there with you,
gentlemen, to render thanks and praise
to those men in earnest words, for that
glorious defence, which in its result
saved the beautiful valley of the Mime.
sofa from the butcheries of those fiends
incarnate, the devilish Sioux Indians.
l congratulate you, ablier gentlemen
will be with you, to do the subject just
ice. The gallant leader will be there, as
your orator, your historian, as brave
aud valorous, in the one, as eloquent
in the other. To the Hon. Chas. E.
Flandrau as leader of the defenders"
and the brave men under his command
at New Ulm, the State of Minnesota
owes debt of gratitude, never yet APP
preciated, never rewarded, one that
ought long since to have received rec
ognition at the hands Of the United
States government
Time has obliterated nearly every YES.
tage of those dies erae, those terrible
days. The monumental stone over the
slain in the beautiful resting place of
the dead of New Ulm, almost singly
awakens memory to the realization of
the by gone past, it stands amid the ST.
lent shades, connecting link between
the dead and living participants Of that
deadly conflict. The old ''detenders''
of New Ulm are being garnered by the
inexerable reaper, it is well that the
living should meet in reunion to COM
memorate the past, to drop the silent
tear at the grave of the departed ones.
shoulder to shoulder, those stood in
the fight,
Lilies fitful fever DER, the sleep in the
light,
These. living defenders awaiting to
see
The last rally, once more at the grand
Be pleased to convey to our friends
the assurance of warmest regards and
kindest wishes for their future prosper
ity and happiness, accept as well as to
yourself.
l have the honor to be very respect
fully,
Your obdt. servant,
E. ST. JULIEN Cox.
At the conclusion of the reading of
Mr.. Cox's letter the crowd cheered. Mr..
Freeman Talbot of LIE Sueur was at
this juncture prevailed upon to make a
speech, and he entertained the crowd
for short time as only he knows how.
This concluded the speech making fol
the day and the crowd was dismissed,
the home defenders given. three hearty
cheers for their guests. During the
speaking in the afternoon the stand was
occupied by Hon. John F. Meagher,
Sergt. Jones, DR.. Otis Aver, DR.. DAM.
els, Maj. G. E. Sanders, Freeman Tai.
bot, Mayor G. Weschcke, Col. Pfaen.
der, the speakers and executive com.
mittee. After the speaking and until
6 o'clock, the two bands alternated in
entertaining the crowd with some o.
their choicest selections.
BUSINESS MEETING.
At o'clock the defenders to the
number of over one hundred met in
Turner Hall for the purpose of effect.
ing permanent organization. The
meeting was called to order by Judge
Flandrau, who. spoke of the desirability
and necessity Of organization, in orde1
that facts may be gathered and cor
rect history Wriffon and time chou fh<