The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-04-16

A PLEASANT TIME WITH Thu
OLD VETERANS +!
After Twenty Three Years They Agail
Enjoy Jackson Hospitality!
Many of our citizens were surprised-not tc
say disheartened and disguised, waking up
on Tuesday morning last week, to fiod steady
shower, which lasted nearly all day. Still 6
large crowd attended the Reunion. The morn
ing train brought great crowd, and much
larger crowd came the up train. At hal
past ten O'Clock the Band began playing in the
square near the Court House, and marched tc
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 was 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 roar
The sunbeams sweetly play.
And pain and anguish fly before
The flag view 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, or tented field
That banner foated free
And lifting battle-smoke reveald
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 it waving Der 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 are yet alive
Who followed it for life or death
The flag of sIXTY-FIvE.
Long may the grand old banner wave,
With broad majestic sweep,
Above the silent, lonely grave,
Which marks heroes sleep;
Oh, let 1t 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 was large por-
trait of Gen. Grant, the left center that OF
Lincoln, on the right that OF Garfield, and in
the center the fine large portrait of glorious
"Old 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, off-red prayer. Then
followed the Address of Welcome by D. Mack
ley.
| had written my address of well
come to the SD Regiment, but when
| attempted to read it. the light in
Hall was so poor that | had to aban-
don my manuscript, and say few
things at random.
The following is what [ had pre-
pared: D. MACKLEY.
The first company of the SD Regi-
ment 0. V. |. came from Athens
County, and went into camp Septem-
Der 16, 1861; the Regiment left Feb
ruary 17th and 18th, 1862; so you
were at Camp Diamond five months.
have been appointed by the prop
er committee, to represent the People
of jackson, in extending to the sur
vivors of this Regiment a welcome to
our town. I deem it proper to show,
very briefly, the relations that existed
between you and the citizens of this
place when you were with US, more
than % years ago, and | will repub-
lish few of the many items which
were published in the jackson Stan
dard at that time.
| wrote and published this on the
5th of December, 1861:
CAMP DIAMOND.
On Monday we visited Camp Diamond and found
the all engaged in drilling in squads, and per-
forming the other duties of the camp They have all
received good, substantial overcoats; and although
the day quite cold, they appeared to be comfort
able Nearly all those who stay Ia tents, have adopt
ed the plan published by short time since, for
warming their tents. The plan is much the same as
the old fashioned kiln for drying fruit. The plan
works very well. About two hundred of the Regi-
ment have received Enneld rifles. The balance have
not received their arms yet. This fine regiment can
be filled in the days, If the friends of the
cause will work vigorously during that time.
Mr.. j. r. Percy, late Su uperintendent of Public
Schools, had charge of Company from Piketon. Our
old friend Uncle Frank Smith was performing guard
duty. Rev. Isaac Brown was drilling in of the
squads. There are now four Methodist preachers in
Camp. Several prayer meetings were held in the
tents on Sunday night We defy any Regiment in
the State to exhibits higher moral character than
the SD.
And this on the 18th Of January.
1862:
We are frequently asked by persons at distance
If the soldiers at Camp Diamond not troublesome
In town. We answer that the soldiers are in town
day and night less, and that there is less
drunkenness, noise and bad conduct than we have
in jackson during the years that we have
resided here.
The soldiers of the SD nearly all gentlemen. A
very few are in the habit of drinking to excess.
At the time you left, DR.. Blng sent
me the following, which appeared in
the STANDARD February 20, 1862:
[For the Standard.1
THE FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
Mr.. EDITOR: AS many of your readers inter
ested in the welfare of the Fifty Third Regiment