The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-09-21
Twenty-Five Thousand People Listen to Pa
triotic Address of Welcome from Gen. John
B. Gordon, of Confederate Fame.
Permanent Organization of a Memorial
Association and Election of officers.
Monster Barbecue After the Meeting-Soldiers'
Reunions at Terre Haute. Columbus Elk
hart and Other Places in Indiana.
CHICKAMAUGA BATTLEFIELD.
Reunion OF the Blue and the Gray-Memori,
Association Orcanized.

Association Organized.
CHATTANOOGA. Tenn, Sept. 2O.-To-day
was glorious climax to the reunion of the
Army of the Cumberland. The grand bar
becue and permanent organization of the
Chickamauga Memorial Association took
place at Crawfish Springs. on the edge of
the famous battlefield of Chickamauga.
Fully $4,000 people were on the ground. The
blue and the gray were together, the past
forgotten. At IL o'clock Gov. John B. Cor
don, of Georgia, made the address of well
come. Gov. Gordon said:
Mr.. Chairman and Fellow-soldiers of Both
Armies-On Armies ,, this anniversary morning the South
arms and earnest and honest hearts. She cannot
receive you with costly and imposing ceremonies.
poses she gladly sTeets @ the brave @ and generous
nowned battle-ground. made memorable
by American yHar Sieoa sSe bids yoa
welcome. The South congratulated the whole
country that these historic plains, wheretwenty-
six years ago you met In deadly sectional con-
tict. are now TO become the scene and witness
of your joint pledge of restored and enduring
fraternity. She cOngratulates the Republic that
here. where the North and the South marshaled
their hosts for battle, these hosts now meet in
living, lasting brOtherhOdd-united In bonds Of
made better. Drawer and grander by mutually
cherished and imperishable memories.
To you General Rosecrans, and the soldiers OF
the Army Of the Cumberland, come with q
soldiers greeting on my lips and a soldiers SYM
pathy in my heart. Speaking for those who I am
in Which
you, and in all things which pertain to the peace,
welfare and unity Of the American people. In
their name proclaim their eternal fealty to the
American Constitution. which is their protecting
shield; to the American Republic. which is the
joint work of the fathers hands; to the Amer
v
for their safety, but which now, that the causes
OF dssensions o. are gone: they will l0yaliy.
ton. We are here to unite with you in
final and eternal sepulcher of sectional hostility
The causes which produced alienation were long
since engulfed in the vortex OF revolution be-
yOnd the power OF resurrection Let us, there
fore. bury the passions which these causes
foul spirit Of dscord so deep that no blast Of the
partisan political trumpet, however wide-eound-
Ing and penetrating, can ever wake 1t to service
Since slavery is abolished and the Chinese wall
along the line of $500 is broken down, there is
absolutely no legitimate barrier Of separation
this truth shall command recognition through
out the Republic. God speed the day when un-
when unstinted faith in the unimpeachable
honor and patriotism OF the whole American
people shall become the essential passport TO
public station, and wheu he who fights least for
party and most Cor country shall be proclaimed
by the press and the people as the wisest states
man and truest 1r1end OF nDerty.
The address of welcome was responded
to by Gen. w. L. Rosecrans. He was visi-
bly, affected over the eloquent and patri-
otic language of Governor Gordon, and
spoke most feelingly of the grand sight
and scene presented-old confederate aud
Federal soldiers sitting side by side and en-
gaging in pleasant, friendly converse-and
he prayed God that the day would
soon come when the last vestige of feeling
over the war would be eradicated. He be-
lieved that this scene was an augury of the
glorious success of the project to make
the Chickamauga battlefield national
greatest battle of the. civil Hwar.
Closing he said: "Now fellow-cifizens.
/ am sorry that l am not able to fittingly
express the feelings have on this occasion.
that come to my mind as / stand here. l
am sure / have not the words neither have
/ the voice., to appropriately do so, but
hope and pray that the future may ser the
eminent success of our fraternal under
taking"
After the address, the permanent organi-
ZatiOn of the Chickamauga Memorial Asso-
citation was formed. The crowd in attend
ance at the meeting was very enthusiastic,
movement will be grand success. Gen.
Henry NJ Cist, of Cincinnati. was elected
temporary chairman, and Maj. Ed F.
sion sanDff Of the Objects A' and purposes ss
of the association the following officers
were elected for four years: President. Gen.
j. L. Wilder, of Tennessee; vice-president,
Gen. Joseph Wheeler of Alabama; secre-
tary, Gen. Marcus j. Wright, of Washing
ton; treasurer, Gen. j. s. Fullerton. of st.
Louis. Board of directors: From the Union
| side, G. c. Kniff G. w. Bishop. Henry
NJ. Cist, c. H. 6 .enor, Fred Vandever.
g. p. ThrustCn, j. S. Fullerton, j.
J. Reynolds. }. T. Wilder. A. c. Nc
| Clung. A. Baird. &. G.. Kellogg. w. s.
Roseorans, H. V. Boynton. From the con-
| federate side, Hon. Joseph Wheeler &. X.
| Breckinridge, j. T. FIndlay, David H.
| Hill, +. NJ. Law, Marcus j. Wright Roger
| Q. Mills, George ID. Wise, Alfred II. Col
| quit, James Longstreet, John II. Lewis,
Randall Gibson, Charles +. Hooker, T. NJ.
| Cockrell.
| The charter as prepared was ordered fled,
| and the chairman instructed to accept it
| when returned. A large number of MEM
| bers of the association were enrolled.
| After the meeting the barbecue
took place. and it was the greatest
| affair of the kind ever known in tho
] country. Thirty tables each $50 feet long,
were spread. All were amply provided for.
| The day passed without the sliQhtes lar OF
accident. On the train this afternoon re-
| turning from the barbecue, Governor Cor
! don. commander of the Association of Con-
| federate Veterans, issued an official order
| for the association to meet in Chattanooga
on July 4, next.