Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-09-23

IALnC way opShS " ShSS"0
shaking. Men who had not seen each
other for a quarter ola century met here
again, old comrades who had fought and
marched under the same flag came together
again, face to face, and renewed old ae-
quaintanceship. The scene is beyond des-
criptiOn and many were the eyes wet with
tears of joy ut once more being assembled
together, after 80 long a parting.
The meeting was called to order by
Capt. G. NJ. White, Company B, President
of the Society, and Sergeant s. F. Dean
was appointed temporary secretary. Upon
motion a committee of five was selected to
name permanent officers for the next year.
The committee was composed Of Capt. D.
+. Melvin, Chas. Freeman, Capt. VIM.
Robb, Jacob BlanknisOp and Capt. c. J..
Rawling. The committee reported the
following officers: Gen. /. H. Duvall,
President; Col. Jacob Weddle, First
Vice President; Capt. William J..
Robb Second Vice President,
Chas. Baltzell, Third Vice President;
John s. Sweeney, Fourth Vice President;
Capt. e. f. Irwin, Recording Secretary;
Geo. B. Crawford, Corresponding Secre-
tary; Capt. Thomas Reed, Treasurer. As
each name was read it was followed by
loud applause, and the report was adopted
unanimously. Capt. Reed afterwards
asked to be excused from serving as Treas
urer, as he does not live in Wheeling, and
thought Treasurer should be selected from
this city. His request was granted and
Capt. c. J. Rawling elected in his stead.
General Duval was escorted to the stage
where he was greeted with cheers upon
cheers, which subsidized after q short time
and he made o neat little speech, accept
ing the honor conferred upon him. Then
followed more cheers and calls for other
comrades. Lieut.. T. II. Mckee, of Com
pany d. made q very fine and brilliant
speech, and it may be truly said that dur
ing his remarks there was not q dry eye in
the house. Speeches were also made by
Comrades John B~lankinsop, Col. Jacob
Weddle, Col. Henry Hubbard, Capt. VIM.
j. Robb, Plattenburg of the Hancock coun-
ty Courier, and Jerry Gilbert Of Martins
Ferry, recited q poem entitled I'VE drank
from the same Canteen."
The following form to precede the roll Of
members was adopted:
eve the undersigned members of the
First West Virginia Infantry, in order to
perpetuate the bonds of brotherhood form
ed during the late war, now propose form.
inga permanent organization to be known
Us the Society of the First Virginia VOlun-
teer Infantry and agree to remain loyal to
the organization as long as it and we live. "
A very affecting scene occurred during the
meeting that will not come inamiss here.
Reuben Waite on Tuesday evening walked
clear out to Mt. Pleasant TO secure the
original flag, or rather what is left of it,
of the regiment and Col, ThOburn's head
quarters flag, which are owned by Col.
ThOburn's daughter. Yesterday afternoon
he carried them into the Opera
House and across the stage, when
Robert Stroble -lOf Company G, who
was one of Col. Thoburn's Orderlies, and
who rsyeres the dead heroes name recog-
nized the flag which he bad not seen since
the close of the war, and Seizing it he fell
upon his knees and wept like a child over
the tattered old stars and stripes, that re-
minded him of his old commander. Both
flags we're introduced to the comrades who
shouted themselves almost boarse. The
regimental cOlors Sfs tGTa 20 shreds by shot
and shell and burned with powder, until
there is little left!but rags Of the once pretty
flag. As it was waved to and fro before
the old veterans they looked at it with
loving eyes and full hearts, and IS Gen.
Duva remarked, there isn't mRchof it
left but it couldn't be bought for a thous-
and dollars 0 square inRh.h
A motion was adopted that eaah MEN,
Der signing his name 10 the new ~Ofganiza-
ton be required to pay q fee Of fifty cents,
| but those who could not afford it are
not desSEred from membership. 1t was
the intenta0n n the regiment to hold q
camp FIRE at the Opera h0GSe last evening,
but It vas thought best to attend the
general camp nFe, 80 the Tegimental
camp fire will be held at the Opera
House this evening at 7:3O o'clock. The
Finance Committee was instructed to draw
zap rules and regulations for the govern
msnt of the society. Fbe msseting adjourn
ed to meet at the Salls place
this evening. All the members OF
the regiment arc requested to
meet at their headquarters, Second
Ward Market Hall, cor Market and Fenth
streets. at 8 o'clock this morning. Col.
Jacob Weddls viii be in command with
other officers in charge of their cOmpa-
mics.