Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-08-21
THE RINGGOLD REUNION.
sketch of Thursdays Meeting
at Little Washington.


at Little Washington.
The reunion of the Riuggold Cavalry
and the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry,
ut Washington, Pa, Thursday, was i
rrand affair. The attendance OF old yeter-
ans was very large. Every morning train
bore its load OF human beings, and by
wagon and buggy the hundreds and thOus-
ands came from the country round. Gen.
e. T. Kelley and wife arrived from this
city on the 9 O'clocl, train id were met
by the boys ut the depot and escorted to the
Fulton House, where an hour or more was
spent in the shaking of hands, and talking
over the old times spent together. What
I'm enjoyment to comrades who saw each
other for the first time since muster out.
They had marched together, slept together
and drank from the same canteen, and
now they were permitted for the first
time to meet and talk over those time.
None but soldier can know the Joy Otsuch
IN occasion. At 1920 o'clock IN impromp-
tn meeting was held in front Of the Court
House and the cid soldiers were welcomed
10 the town by K. w. Irwin, Esq, in be-
halfof the Burgess and borough authOri-
ties. lie said many good things, and AT
the close humOrOuSly said that the Keys OF
the city were given into the hands OF the
-Dldicr,, ond II >v"S An thSir possession Tor
the day. The address WAS briefly respond
ed to by Lieut.. F. Ii. CragO, Of Company
ID, who spoke OF the scenes OF 81 years ago,
when many had begun to be soldiers on
this very spot. What memories came
thronging up to-day rs nc looked in the
faces of the boys of 81 years ago. lie thank
ed the speaker for his words of welcome
and of cheer, and assured them that the
little city would be safe in the soldiers
hands, aud would DE returned without
harm. The boys then formed in rank and
marched 10 the rink where a regular, old
fashioned army dinner was served tOall who
saw III to partake OF the same. After din
ner a short time was spent in social enjoy
ment. At o'clock the meeting was called
to order Chaplain Patterson offered i
short but appropriate prayer. Music by
the hand. F. II. Crago, historian, spent
some twenty minutes in giving an epitome
of the history of the organization. He was
frequently interrupted with questions and
suggestions and at times with applause.
He WAS followed by Maj. II. II. Mckee, of
Washington, ID. c., and Il member of the
First West Virginia Volunteer Infantry,
the orator of the day, who gave one of the
finest OratiOnS to which il has ever been
our privilege to listen. He was frequently
loudly applauded rs he referred TO the
scenes and incidents of the war. lie re-
lated an amusing incident or two, which
were greatly enjoyed by the audience. At
the close of the address Gen. Il. +. Kelly
was introduced, who said he did not rise to
make 4 speech.
The iniirmiteS of aye and the effects of n
rebel bullet through his right lung pre-
vented his speaking 50 rs to be heard. He
paid 4 high compliment to the RinggOld
cavalry, saying that he believed that they,
as command, did more hard scouting and
engaged in more personal conflicts than any
other command i'll the army. He also
could testify that they were good toragers.
He related an amsing incident Of where
some of the cavalry had taken the pigs and
chickens and raided the spring house of an
old farmer. He came to Cumberland and
complained to him, He asked who it was,
and he replied Them RingbOne Cavalry"
The General remarking that the old man
had gotten the name wrong but he knew who
he meant. The General stated that when
he was invited to come TO this reunion, he
did not think he could come, but the desire
to look in the faces of the boys Overcame
all objections. He requested Major Me
Kee to read 'The Old Major Explains.
which would explain why he came He
paraphraSed it so that it was received with
great applause. 5. G. Rogers read letters
of regret from Adjutant Rose. of the Fifth
Pennsylvania Yolunt er Infantry, and
Jesse Mcneil, of rebel fame, regretting
their inability to be present.
The audience then adjourned, and the
RinggOld organization proceeded to fix n
place and time for next meeting. The
place selected was Wheeling at the time of
the meeting of the Army of West Virginia.
F. H. Crago was elected President of the
Association; J. T. Dawson, Co. 4; Peter
Hickman, Co. B; I. B. Craig, Co. c; j. n.
Horn, Co. d; John Sutman, Co. f; Leet 5.
Moore, Co. f; W. &. Byland, Co. G., Vice
Presidents; DIR. c. J. McNulty, Co. c, of
Midway, Corresponding Secretary; DR.. II.
J. Gamble, Co. &, Recording Secretary. F.
II. Crago was continued rs Historian. and
5. G. Rogers, Co. B, Washington, Treas
urer.
The remainder of the afternoon was
spent by the boys in social converse and in
visiting the oil fields
At night rousing camp fire was held in
the Court House. The meeting was
organized by calling Major G. S.
Work to the Chair. Marching Through
Georgia was sung by Comrade
W. c. Candit, the entire audience joining
in the chorus. General Kelly was called
on, and related some of his army expert
rence-the capture of Nancy Dusky by
some Of the Ringgold cavalry. Colonel
Thayer Melyern followed in spicy little
talk, taking the audience captive by his
words so well spoken and the anecdotes he
related. The closing words of his address
were very affecting and brought tears to
the eyes Of many. He was followed by
Col. A. J. Greenfield, who was received
with great applause. Comrade Meaner. of
Company B, gave talk in which he urged
the teaching Of patriotism to the rising
generation. Comrade T. ]. Crago, of Com
pany d, related an amusing aneedste or
two, and referred feeling 10 the dirty of the