Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-20
~ Tur Fxxxrxa GA,

Correspondence OF TIE EvENrSG SrAI.
BosToS, August II.
THE STAR has presented reports Of the Crane
Army of the Republic reunion here but in thu
general accounts published but little was said
of the District contingent While the Wash
iDgton delegation, IN point Of numbers, die
not come up to some others, the District hst
no reason 10 feel ashamed of her representa-
tives. From the starting point of the parade
all along the So miles of line of march, there
wac q continuous ovation given them. The
Old Guard, Capt Edgar. headed by the band
of the third United States artillery, attracted
much attention and was heartily cheered- The
music Of the band being of patriotic and tax
ing airs, instead Of the psalm and hymn tunes
Of some of the New England bands, was highly
appreciated After the Old Guard Came the
members of Rawlins, Hi. Carson, Lincoln, Nor
ton and other posts. They were beaded by
the hit Carson drum corps OF ten pieces. led
by James MundeIl and composed OF the Luskey
brothers and others, and their music, though
not so loud "a that Of the Modus Conn.
corps, was as highly appreciated az any in
the line. and they we're compelled to
give Annie Rooney right along the route.
The Washingtoniars. Col. Urell and staff and
Coils. c. L. Lincoln, A. J. Canning. B. +.
Hawkes. and other past department command
ers leading the line, not only were heartily
cheered along the route, but at 5i5 Columbus
avenue the thrOnGs a placard in the fes-
toons about the stand indicating the 'bivouac
of the Washington Light Infantry and it was
heartily cheered. This place, the tine residence
OF Mr. Nathan b. sherman twell known in
Washington, had been placed by him at the
disposal of Capt. ). Y. Stlil1ngs. native of
East Washington and private of the infantry of
1861. WHO gathered about him number OF his
friends of that company and from the District
SOCIAL GOOD TINE.
The order Of the day was paying and receiv-
ing visits. going on excursions and joining in
reunions but probably the most enjoyable re-
union. at least TO some Washingtonians and
Bostonians was that of Thursday night
when the Kit Carson drum corps. all former
piaymates and friends of Capt. StillInSs, called
on him and tendere him serenade The
'front.' of the house wa. even more handsomely
decorated than 1t was the day before, a prOfu-
sion of Chinese lanterns being added.and under
the light hues of Greek fire the band gave
some fine selections. not forgetting some ofthe
old-time beats and calls, bringing up the
circumference of former days. After an hour
spent socially the company proceeded TO a
aeighb0ring dining saloon and enjoyed boun-
tlful supper. 1t here there were some
genuine surprises Among those present were
Capt. NJ. L. Fisher, Phil O'Bryon, John L.
Ward. IhOs. Galloway. Willis +. Croker aud
Others OF Washington, and Capt. Dave Sisson,
Major Joshua Cushings, Mr.. Nathan B. Sher-
After the substantlals on the table had been
disposed of the company was called to order,
ana Capt StlllIngs. in a voice hiled with emo
ton. expressed his qualification at meeting so
many of his Washington friends, with many of
whom he had associated in youth, and espe-
cially was ne pleased, he said, at meeting Capt
NJ. 7. Fisher. under whom he learned his trade,
under whom he had marched in the old Infan-
try and had served, and whose advice he
had accepted a detail as engineer i'll the United
Axfs tnEf a
a short address. after which responses were
made to a number of sentiments.
oLD-TIMK "REMINISCENCES.
To "The Massachusetts Soldier" Capt
Fisher was asked to respond. and after sketch
ing the old Light Infantry organi cation. es-
pecially its history Immediately preceding the
war. he gave an exceedingly interesting ac-
count OF the muster In OF the company aud its
service from April to July, 1861. He stated
that the Infantry was not entirely sound in
1850. but the visit Of the Putnam Phalanx was
not without its influence ON the men and prob
ably that visit resulted in keeping majority
OF the men loyal TO the Union. After they left
a resolution was adopted that the flag be dis
played at the armory. and few nights after il
was run out the armory was burned with much
OF their property. and the last thing TO take
fire the flag. The command participated
IL the Inauguration of Lincoln. and it was well
known they were mustered in April 10. April
19informatiOn was brought to the armory by one
of the members who, IN consequence Of an
aged mother depending upon him for support
had declined TO enlist, that the Aqua creek
mail boats were to be sent south that night.
Capt. Towers on learning this reported the fact
to Gen. Scott. and receiving an order to take
charge Of the boats proceeded to the wharf.
took charge Of the boats and placed a guard on
each. The speaker well remembered when
detachment OF the sixth Massachusetts
came down to assist them: how they gave
the name of Bobby Jones" 70 the Infantry
boys and the friendship which then sprung
Up between them had lasted until now.
lie then recounted that the boats were
taken to the navy yard after survey had
been made Of each; that Capt StiIings run
the engine of the Mount Vernon. and when a
detail assistant engineer in the navy
was given HIM he at once accepted il.
and thus was not only a member OF the
first company in the service but was the
hrst volunteer engineer. IL was from his boat
u few days afterwards that the first cannon shot
Was fred In the Potomac at q boat load of men
who had burned the light ship at Lower Cedar
Point. Capt. Fisher then referred TO a photo
graph OF nine members OF the infantry, noting
that i've were dead and nearly if not all served
subsequently, IN the war, and numbers - the
old company were officers. Capt. Slsson, for
merly OF the sixth Massachusetts, responded
10 the Bobby Joneses. giyiag a very enter
tanning account of the departure of the sixth
from Boston. their attack IN Baltimore and
their arrival ak the Capital.
And as officer of the day opened the doors
70 Jon, said Capt. George Brown
CAPT. sIssOS'S STORY.
The two veterans shook hands and Capt. Sis-
son continued:
After We had fairly settled for the night I
Was awakened and told that an order had come
Tor lieutenant, sergeant and fifty men TO pro-
coed 20 the steamboat wharf. After our expe-
Tlence IN Baltimore VIC were somewhat suspi-
cIous. bat under Lieut. Walsh l as sergeant got
the men out aud started TO the wharf. a man
going with us as guide. We were suspicious in
going and suspicious when we reached the
wharf, but finally found what the infantry was
made of. now freely they gave what they had
IL tho way of pork bread and coffee. and how
readily they answered to the name OF Bobby
Jones. His feeling toward the Bobby Joneses
were such that when he had re-enlsted IN a
battery and seeing regiment called the first
District he left the battery TO get in among the
boys"
Capt Fuller responded to toast to the navy
giving some interesting incidents OF life on the
Hartford, followed by song by Geo. Luskey
and reeltauons by Mr.. sampson.
BEGAN SERVICE EARLY.
Capt George Brown spoke Of the District
troops being practically on duty (although not
sworn in from the date of the Inauguration,
when his command stood with loaded muskets
facing the pOpulace during the delivery of the
Inaugural address. His command vas IN the
Capitol doing guard duty Oh the arrival OF the
sixth Massachusetts,. Then. referring to his
host, he said nc had known him from child