The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1889-09-26
VOL. vi.
A GREAT REUNION
OF CONFEDERATE AND FEDERAL
SOLDIERS AT CHICK.
AMAUGA.

CHATTANOOGA, Sept. ia prelim-
mary meeting OF the Chickamauga
Association was held at o'clock this
afternoon in mammoth tent erected
for the occasion. The big tent was
gorgeously decorated by the ladies of
the city, wives and daughters of sol
diers of both sides, with flag and bunt-
ing, and beautiful flowers and ever
green's adorned the speakers stand.
According to the orders OF the local
committee having the matter in
charge, the tent was opened first to
the soldiers of the Army OF the Cum
berland and members of the Grand
Army of the Republic, who were given
front seats, there being fully $500 OF
& them. These were followed by long
line OF ex.Confederate soldiers, 1000
strong, headed by the United States
Seventh Regiment band from Atlanta,
and as the boys in gray entered the
great tent to the enlivening strains OF
the "Star Spangled Banner" an i'm
mense throng of people rose to their
feet and a long cheer followed for the
old Confederate soldiers, which was
responded to with the "rebel yelP' and
grand hurrah for the cold flag"
There was a general intermingling Of
the old soldiers, the old Confederates
being sandwiched among Federals.
The circumstance attracted general
attention, and was gratifying and a
fine augury for the success of the
Chickamauga National Park scheme.
As son as the great assemblage had
been seated, A. S. Ochs, chairman Of
the local committee having in charge
Chickamauga Association reception,
arose and stated that the meeting had
been called to organize a Memorial
Association composed oil old Federal
and x.COnfederate soldiers for the
purpose of purchasing the ground ol
the Chickamauga battlefield and con-
verting it into a national park, dedi'
Gated to the memory OF heroic valol
and glowing chivalry of soldiers ot
both armies who engaged each Other
on that bloody field.
Rev. ]. W. Bachman, an ex-Confed
crate OF this city, then offered ferven
prayer, asking the blessings of the AL
mighty on the movement about to bC
made to cement and bind the hearts o
the old soldiers together.
After the prayer Mr. 0chs suggested
that a chairman be named, and Capt
j. /. Shipp, commander Of the N. B
Forrest camp, ex-Confederate veteran
of this city, nominated Gen. w. S
Rosecranz as chairman in fittinl
speech, in which he alluded to til,
General as a hero OF Chickamaug'
amid uproarious applause. The Gen
,eral was chosen, and in few words
heartily endorsing the Chickamaug
memorial movement, he called tn
meeting to order.
Gen Rosecrans said that this meet
ing was only preliminary to meeting
to be held on the battlefield to-mol
row, and we intended to get an expires
sion from the old soldiers as to th
advisability and desirability OF organ
izing the Chickamauga Memorial As
sociation.
After some spirited music by th
Seventh Regiment band, Gen, H. {
Boynton, Of Washington, was intro
duced as one OF the leading spirits i
inaugurating this grand movemen
Gen. Boynton heartily approved of tn
plan suggested in the circular of tn
local Chickamauga committee, an
expressed belief that the next Coz
gress would hear petition Of the ol
soldiers Of both sides and would reset
the old battle field from the ownershi
Of private parties and dedicate it to Il
perpetuation Of the memory of the h
roic bravery and fortitude of America
soldiery
He spoke OF the battle Of Chick
A,,,.x. 10 fha most IN, norto,,t Of ~
war and one Of the most sanguinal
ever fought by civilized soldiers.
the battle OF Chickamauga 33ls p
cent. of both armies we're lost, ov
$4,000 men being killed, missing al
captured. Gen. Boynton's address W
the keynote of the occasion, and o
soldiers stood up and yelled for Chic
amauga National Park.
Following Gen. Boynton, exec
Albert Marks, of Tennessee, respond
in behalf OF the ex-Confederates of t
South, strongly urging the erganii
tionof the Association. Gen. Marks {
dress was eloquent and scholarly, a
was frequently interrupted by {
plause from'the audience,
Ex.Gov Marks created a slight 81
sation when, turning to Gen. Ro
cranz, he characterized him as
greatest military genius of thswar
the Federal side, and gave gan ere