Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-24
PROCEEDINGS OF co. q. IL WIS.
A Short History of the Company as Written by
n. d. Brown.

Co., G. 18th Wis.,, Infantry, % of its
number and their Capt. W. 2. Lang
worthy, of Minneapolis, Mimi, also
Col. Geo. E. Bryant, of Madison, Wis,
their regimental commander, rendez-
vous at the fair grounds in the city of
Grand Rapids on June 18th 1886, at
II o'clock A. NJ, instituting the first
reunion of the company since the re-
bellion, naming their camp "Bryant. !"
The next on program was to partake
of sumptious dinner furnished by
Wood County Post No. %, G. A. R.,
and the ladies of Grand Rapids and
Centralia, after which the audience
present repaired to Agricultural Hall
where Col. Bryant interested his
hearers with short speech concerning
the Atlanta Campaign. His remarks
were preceded by the following axiom;
Speaking the truth is not hattery,"
and went on to say to the company
that they were among the braVest
before Bald Hill, and no drawer men
we're ever lead to the field of battle.
Capt. Langworthy was next called on
and substantiated the Co.'s. noble
tribute to the company, saying, ''men
of Company G., you are deserving of
that compliment. The Captain then
stated that soon after the battle the
Col. called for the names of any of
the company who had distinguished
themselves by bravery and were
deserving Of promotion therefore. He
took the company roll and with his
pencil struck out three names there
from and sent the remaining roll up.
Comrade Brown then gave very
interesting statement of "reminiscences
all along the line. Relating many
ANECDOTES. episodes, ending up with
his German song entitled "Paddy's
Enlistment" rendering it in the true
Irish brogue
Comrade G. l.. Lang, of Boston,
Mass, read an encouraging letter from
Lieut.. Ell. P. Bird, of Menoninee,
Mich, who was unable to be present
with che boys and sent the letter say
ing, as [ could not be with you in
body am with you in spirit.
Short and spicy speeches were made
by many of the comrades, creating
merriment and laughter without end.
Col. Byrant then gave the account
of how and why, the 18th Wis, Regi-
ment came to charge and carry Bald
Hill, adding that it was the regiments
true position and no accident that gave
them success in this battle.
Other interesting letters were read
from comrade O. w. Bennett, of
Washington, D. G., and Andrew
Shearer, ALIAS Pigeon, of Peters
boro, Canada.
At this point in the proceedings
comrade Lang suggested a silent toast
of five minutes duration in honor Of
our comrades whose uncofined bon es
lie Wondering in the dust of southern
lands, which was done.
Exercises on the fair grounds at this
juncture closed for the day.
Company g was ordered to fall in
by their old orderly E. Ell. Ticknor,
by him dressed in line, and turned
over to Capt Langworthy who took
command and marched them to the
Opera Hall headed by comrade Alfred
Belenger of Oshkosh, Wis, and his
juvenile band. On arrival there the
Captain ordered stack arms, brake
ranks, march, after which the doors
were closed and the company went into
private session and transacted the
following business:
A motion was made and carried that
the company have reunion at Grand
Rapids in 1887, notice of time to be
given at least three months prior to
the meeting.
The following committee were
appointed by the chair: G. L. Lang,
nj. s. Pratt, E. III. Ticknor and Geo.
w. Baker who have full charge of
of calling the next reunion.
The company adjourned to meet at
comrade Ticknor's house Wednesday
morning the 10th inst, at which time
the following history of the company
was read by comrade Brown:
HISTORY OF COMPANY.
enlisted in Wausau, Marathon Co.,
Wis on the 10th of September, 1861,
for three years, unless sooner discharg-
ed, and in company with Sebastian
Kerstine walked from there to Grand
Rapids, where Captain Daniel Howell
received us with kindness and
provided me with quarters at the hotel
then in charge of Mr.. Grace. The
balance of the Wausau boys took
leave of absence and went back home
for while leaving me for quite a
while the only s'Evergreen" in camp.
Thong h stranger in strange land, [
was not permitted to realize the fact,
for the boys of Grand Rapids seemed
never to tire In their friendly atten-
tionG, while citizens and ladies made
the time pass lively with balls and
private entertainments. Soon other
members of the company came into
camp and times became more bolster