The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-09-30
REUNIONS.
Gatherings of Comrades in all Parts
Of the Country.
ILLINOIS.

ILLINOIS.
J. c. Clay, La Sale: The Big Bend Veteran
Association held their Reunion at this place on
the 18th, 10th and 18th inst. The Reunion
opened on Wednesday morning by the exhibit
tion of a liberal show of bunting, which on the
same day had increased 20 n magnificent dis
play never before shown in the city of La Sale.
Hardly building on First street but was deco
rated inside and out. Wreaths and bunting were
stretched from corner 10 corner, and on Gooding
and Joliet Streets on large transpaTencies sus-
pended from the electric light, were superb
pictures of Lincoln and o. s. Grant Number
less delegations aud companies of old soldiers
arrived in the city on every morning train and
from all directions. The carload or two of
tents that arrived from Springfield day or
two previous were pitched on the grounds of
the Driving Park, and everything was put in
order for the regular encampment. The first
day was fully occupied in other preparations
for the following days Of the Reunion. Thurs
day morning opened with great preparations
made the previous day by both citizens and
soldiers, but before o'clock the western horizon
was a black and dangerous-looking storm,
which threatened everything before it, and in
less than an hour torrents OF rain fell. which
almost destroyed everything that hung so
beautifully arranged; but, despite the rain and
the upsetting OF the program, the enthusias-
tic citizens and soldiers gathered together at
the large amphitheater of the Driving Park,
where addresses were delivered by old soldiers
and Others, principally among them being J. III.
Shay, of Streator; Jacob Bane, of Ottawa, and
w. q. Ensign, of Rutland. About o'clock an
attack was made ON Fort Pemberton, con-
structed in the northwest corner of the grounds
and for over an hour the fight continued with
both infantry and artillery, the loss being the
greatest on the side of the ammunition. Friday
morning, the last day, everything WAS a-bustle,
and before O'Clock more than $4,000 people
thronged our streets, eager 10 sec the great and
imposing pageant that had been promised our
little folk for months past. There were in our
ranks, rs near as can be found, one soldier at
the age Of 50, while two were in the EOS.
After the procession had finished its long line
Of march il went into camp, when Commander
w. O. Ensign announced that Gov. Oglesby was
in the city. aud that he would address the peo-
pie at o'clock. This brought fully 10000 peo-
pie TO the camp 10 listen To K. j. Oglesby, who
delivered an address, and one of the kind that
only the old veteran himself could deliver. He,
touching on all the phases of soldier, traced
the cause that led 10 the outbreak Of the rebel
lion, and enlarged on the blessings 10 the cOun-
Try won by the terrible struggle of - years ago.
After the Governors address the long-lOoked-
for sham battle took place, which was ably
managed. and is long TO be remembered by our
little folks Excursion trains We're run out on
all roads, which took hundreds OF people out of
the city before dark, as also boats took parties
down the Illinois River. Much credit is due
the management of the association for theirable
and courteous governing while in command OF
so large body.
Reunion was held at Paris, beginning Sept.
10. under the auspices of the old Goth Ill. The
attendance was very large. One of the features
was the presence of the drum corps that was
rh..Nx far 4
WAS the camping place of the l2th ILL., with
which the Goth was brigaded. Col. Vanseller,
of the 18th, made the welcoming address. w.
Wilson was reelected President and ii. ID.
Williams Secretary and Treasurer OF the Goth
Regimental Association.
There will be Reunion of the survivors OF
the Sth Ill. at Decatur, Macon Co, Oct and z
for the purpose of forming regimental asso-
citation, locating all old members possible, and
gathering data for the completion of the regi-
mental history. This regiment was the first
organized in 1861 in illinois, and one Of the last
| finally discharged-May Ia 1866. Gov. Oglcsby
was its first Colonel.
Fully 5000 persons attended the soldiers
Reunion at Astoria, Fulton Co. Bands. ban.
ners and badges were seen on every hand
Among the speakers was Robert Crockett, o.
Arkansas, who was Colonel in the Confeder
ate army, and is a grandson of the renowned
4 Davy Crockett. Col Crocketts speech wa
warmly received by the entire audience, and a
the close hundreds of people took advantage o
the opportunity 10 shake hands with him
During the night tent took fire and the sol
dier's family occupying 1t barely escaped will
| their lives.
Err Lewis, Evanston, H.: The 2lst Reunion
! of the 9Th i'll. Cav. Association, which was ais
the 25th anniversary Of the day on which tn,
regiment was mustered into the service, wa
held at the Sherman House in Chicago on Sept
Is. About 100 of the old troopers were in at
tendance with their ladies. After dinne
speeches were made by Comrades &. q. Dixon
President of the Association T; Gen. Beyeridge
Mai. Southworth Capt. Jones and others, ant
letters were read from Comrades OberholzeI
Walker, Palmer and ex-Mayor Mckenzie, o
Alexandria Va. Gen. Balm, of Quincy, Ill
who was present, was called upon, aud respond
cd in a speech full Of noble and patriotic senti
'ment. Attention was called by Gen. John l.
Bevcridge 10 the hardness in the granting q
pensions, and he cited a case where recentl
an insane soldier was granted about $4,000
, but the good fortune came too late for him I
enjoy il. He then called attention TO a bin
comrade who served In Co. +, aud who h
thought might some time get pension, or hi
grandchildren might, but in the meantime h
being dependent upon charity, the Genera
recommended that collection be taken up 70
his immediate necessities. About SIS wa
raised. The following officers were chosen fo
, the ensuing year President, +. X. Lewis Ey
/ anston; First V.-P., Amos Churchill, ProspeC
E Park Second V.-P., Alfred McCrea, Creston
Sec. and Treas, w. c. Hazeltine, Forest Glen
Chap, w. A. Spencer Rock Island; Surg,
X Crawford Warsaw, Mo. Committee of Al
y mngcments-John NJ. Southworth, C. @. Dixo
{ and j. Watson Ludlum, OF Chicago. All men
{ bers of the sth Ill. Cav. who were not preser
: at the late Reunion are requested TO send name
0 and addresses TO the Secretary, w. c. Haze
c tine, Forest Glen, ILL.,
/, The Reunion Of the Rock Island County We
= eran Association was held on Vandrufi's Islam
: in Rock River, near Rock Island, on the l3t
e l4th and 18th inst. The attendance was Vel
large 10000 people being on the island the la
y afternoon. The Sons Of Veterans did guar
. duty. On the l4th Hon. w. ii. Gest, Republ
e can candidate for Congress, made an Rddref
e Rev. A. X. Morgan was the favOrite speak
Il among the "boys" lie was all through Il
!. war and is an excellent talker. His renditi,
a Of " Marching Through Georgia" and 9th
/, war songs pleased all who heard him. On d
II 18th the Army Of the Tennessee visited d
!, camp, and Gems. Sherman and Logan spoke.
st INDIANA.
y NJ. c. Mcdowell, Lafayette: The survive
n Of the 18th Ind. Cav. held Reunion at Delp
; on the 18th, 10th and 18th inst, which "