The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-20
RECALLING THEIR WAR DAYS
The Survivors of the Famous Eleventh
Indiana Enjoy a Day Together.
Letters from Generals Wallace, Macauley and
Others-The Brilliant Reception Ten
dered the Veterans Last Night.

The annual reunion of tie Eleventh Indiana
Regiment was held yesterday at Tomlinson Hall.
There were present nearly two hundred veter-
ans, and these, together with their families,
swelled the number to about 800, who, at l
o'clock, seated themselves to a fine dinner set in
the corridors of the hall by the ladies Of the as
ISOLATION. The preparation had been so ample
that enough was left over to furnish a large
supper.
After dinner a business meeting was held, W.
c.. David presiding, W. j. Kercheval acting as
secretary. President David made q short ad-
dress, welcoming the veterans. Fifty or nera
letters and a number of kilograms were read
from absent members, regretting their inability
to be present. Among these were letters from
Gen. Lew Wallace; Oliver Dugle, Manchester,
O.; H. c. Henry, Edwardsville, O.; John G.
Beymer, Florence, Kan; C.. NJ. WEIGH, Topeka,
Kan; Thomas w. Durham, Topeka, Kan; Miss
Mary Fl. Kraut. Terre Haute, and kilograms
from Gen. Dan Macauley, New York city, and
j. j. Wood, Bussey, la.
General Wallace's letter, dated Chicago, Oct.
IA, 1886, and addressed to the president, W. c.
David, read as follows:
Thank you for remembering me in connection with
the reunion Of the old regiment. Unhappily | cannot
see any chance of being with you, as on the 10Th
have engaged myself to be in Boston to read a paper
to the G. A. r. posts of that city on the Third Divi-
sion of the Army of the Tennessee at Shiloh Say to
the boys would much rather be with them, shake
they may count ON me. With all good wishes for their
health and prosperity, l sign myself
LEW WALLACE,
Late Colonel Eleventh Indiana.
Ill., &n1oor;o. &oloo,nuo ln+oI Nou, Uon1,
Oct. 10, was then read:
To Will c. David:
Please say to the boys of the old Eleventh, whom I
have not met in so many years, that as our ranks are
thinning now more rapidly than they did the day of
Sheridan ride, so many years ago, it ought to be our
dearest privilege to affectionatelym meet, while the fates
still hermit it. and recall anew with profoundest pride
the glorious days of old, in which we fought and con.
man. You will all know how ! regret not being with
you and how greatly / could enjoy a pow-wow, but
this year | cannot come. Good luck to you, each
and every one, from Pap McGinnis to the youngest
drummer boy. Your old comrade.
DAN MAcAULEY.
General McGinnis submitted his report as
treasurer. 1t was announced that 500 were need
ed to defray the expenses of the reunion. Hats
were passed, and the shower of silver that fol-
lowed proved to be more than sufficient.
General McGlnnis, Familiarity addressed by
President David as Pap" his regimental title,
was then presented a beautiful gold badge.
tAO EAAO vi btO III " J. kIo 110
thanked the boys briefly, but happily, calling to
mind the fact that no more honest regiment ever
went through secession than the Eleventh. AT
this point a member unfortunately called to
mind that the regiment had, on one occasion,
stolen a COW, which they had to pay for. Pap
McGinnis then qualified his previous statement
by saying that the Eleventh never stole any
thing. but he never knew a regiment that could
equal it for finding things"
Thomas w. Durham, of Topeka, Kan, sent a
list of 1872 veterans Of the Eleventh now residing
in that State. The list is valuable, as the names
of many whose whereabouts were unknown or
who were thought to be dead are given in it. 1t
may also help, it is suggested, to account for the
fact why Indiana does not give large Republican
maiorities and that Kansas does. other Indiana
regiments having contributed as literally as the
Eleventh to the census of loyal Kansas.
The old regimental colors were displayed upon
the platform and attracted the reverential re-
gard of the boys AS they recalled the days of
camp and field, which were brought to mind by
the tattered emblems. An army cracker, verit-
able old-time bareback, was passed about for in
lowing, III. P. Nickel, Company 4, three
months service, 1861, }" and had been retained in
the Nickel family all these years.
The following officers were elected for the en-
suing year:
President-Henry Williams, Charlottesville.
Vice-president-Gideon B. Thompson. Indianapolis.
Secretary-W. J. Kercheval, In Annapolis.
Treasurer-N. r. Ruckle. Indianapolis.
Oustoolan OF Colors-J. IL. Koss, indianapolis.
HISTORIANS. B.. Thompson, indianapolis.
Chaplain-Rev. A. S. Ames, Indianapolis.
Executive Committee-Samue Ensminger Craw.
fordsville; VIM. Hubbard, Lawrence; John F. O'Reilly,
Terre Haute.
Indianapolis, and Oct. 10. 1887, the anniversary
Of the battle of Cedar Greek, were chosen as the
time and place for the next annual reunion.
Leon Sirronia, of Terre Haute, moved a vote
of thanks TO the ladies, and that the large and
elegant floral emblem presented to the regiment
by r. II. Parker be given to Mrs. George F. Nc
Ginnis, president of the ladies' association. The
motion carried. The new officers were then in
stalled, and the boys, merely as an experiment,
to see if they yet could, gave three cheers and a
tiger that made the hall ring and ring again,
after which, accompanied by the ladies, they ad-
journed to the courthouse yard, where a picture
of the association and ladies was taken.