The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-09-29
THE BIG BEND.
The Big Bend Reunion On the Banks Of
the Illinois near seneca.
Soldiers supper.

The Big Bend Reunion On the Banks Of
the Illinois near seneca. A
Soldiers supper.
Two miles south Of Seneca. in . grove OF
natural trees. whose lesfy branches afford
protection from the sunlight. and dew, and
unsooiL WINDS Of autumn (uatural assistants
Of rheumatism and ohills) dotted BY white
tents, tho FREs TRADER man found old sol.
diers from oil parts Of northern Illinois.
domeciled as though on the fold Of war. II
is beautiful spot. this grove Of oaks and
naples. True, the grass had lost Its emer-
aid hue, the freshness Of the leaves had ia.
dsd, but, though not go bright ss gay sum-
msr had decked it, this camping ground,
bordsred on the south by the silently dow.
ing waters Of the river, the forest trees Of
whose banks threw their shadows beneath
its surface, is by far the superior Of any
spot for many miles along the river.
The Seneca Post went out to the grounds
on Monday, and put up the tents. which
were arranged in hollow square, with 8
large tent for regimental reunions in the
center, while q couple Of rews extra were
placed on the west, in order to acoonmod ate
q rush, should the tents about the square be
insufficient. TIE Streator post arrived on
Monday morning. and were escorted to the
grounds after the Senecans, and had the
choice of the tents, selecting quarters down
by the river bank. On Monday evening and
Tuesday, quite 9 number Of old veterans
dropped in: but it was not until Wednesday
that the attendance was sufficient to dubb
the gathering reunion. The order Of the
day at the camp, identical with that in tho
regular army, IS far as calls went, but be-
yond the calls, the duties we're not perform.
ed. The old soldiers did not go in for sham
battles and naval engagements this year, but
rather agreed to abolish these " fancy frills"
and congregated to have . quiet social talk.
over old times, and hear the tales Of the
men who were in different campaigns. At
night they kindled fires before their tents.
rolled on the logs and BY the freight, sat
and smoked and told stories until tho mem.
Org Of An early breakfast babe them retire
for the night.
A soldiers dinner on the camp ground is
different affair from soldiers dinner in
the old army days. True, they were cooked
over . similar log fire, but the coffee was
better, the steak was real beef, and the bread
was real wheat, there was no uncertainty
about the reunion dinner. They ate from
tin plates, and drank from tin cups, used
the commonest kind of knives, and the cook
ing utensils we're primitive, but these reun'
ion dinners are counted as the best Of the
year by these OLD vaterans Turkey and
and cranbury sauce ct Q hotel would have
been no temptation. beside hunk Of bread
and piece Of steak cooked over the camp
fire.
Wednesday was the real opening day, and
noon found fifty members Of Seth c. Earl
Post, Of this city and good delegations from
neighboring points in attendance. As a
grand event, it was not success, the Ma
tionsl Reunion at Columbus. O, effeciual y
blocking attendance, 1t was a good, social
picnic, and such as il ought to be.
The election of officers for the coming
year took place on Thursday. E. A. Nattin>
ger, of this city, was elected commander
c. H. r. Thomas, of Seneca, Sr. V. e., j. W.
Dorsey, of Rutland, Jr. V c.; Rev. Gilbert
Frederick, of this city, chaplain Dr. Ridge
way, of Morris, surgeon; DR. Taylor, OF
Streator. assistant surgeon and Capt. Howe,
Of Tonica, quartermaster.
The place Of holding the next reunion
has not been decided upon.