The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-08-26
The Franklin Re-UniOn.

The eight annual re. union of the
Northwestern Association is now a
thing of the past, and as the smoke Of
that great event has disappeared it
becomes US to take . glimpse of the
field, bury our dead, care for the
wounded, and praise the gallant and
heroic acts of those who so nobly con.
tribuIed their talents, money and pres.
euce, TO make the 18th Of August,
1891, a festsl day TO the "boys in
blue" Other cities, whose hospitality
we have shared in the past, have not
been forgotten by the G. A. r. boys,
and we believe our thanks rendered
them as can only be rendered by the
Grand Army boys, have been accepted
by them. Hence, we only have now
to speak of our reception at the hands
of the patriotic people of Franklin.
During the past history of our lives
our feet have often contributed to
clattering noise along her busy streets,
but we freely confess at this day, we
never knew Franklin until very re.
Gently. AS our long train, laden with
its immense cargo of boys in blue.
patriotic ladies, citizens and happy
children, we confess we doubted the
propriety of our visit to that place, in
such great nHmbers; not that we
doubted the patriotism Of Franklin F.;
We were too we'll versed in her past
history for thst; but what would, what
could che hope to do with the mighty
hosts that were soon to tread along
her busy streetsi Soon The shrill whis
tie of the engine told US we were at
Franklin. Every available spot of
ground WAS so overrun with the mul.
titude as to make it almost impossible
for the boys TO form in line on stepping
fiom the platform of the cars; the
only thing for US to do WAS to start
for the city aud form line as we moved
forward. The bands at the head of
the different organizations filled the
very air aud soul with music, and as
we passed over the iron structure that
spans French creek her great iron bars
trembled; aud she swung to and fro
in perfect time to the music and tramp
of the passing host.
As We halted in front of General
Headquarters, on Liberty street, we
were greeted by one of the grandest
scenes our eyes have looked upon since
away back to the Grand Review in
Washington, May 26th aud 9th. 1865.
The city Of Franklin is before US in
all its beauty and patriotism; the dec.
orations along the streets WAS simply
immense, grand, even brilliant, and
amid the patriotic welcome by her
citizens on every hand, we felt that il
WAS good for US to DO there. Our
dinner, We know not how il could have
been bettered; there Was enough and
TO spare. Our parade of more than
two miles iu length passed over the
principal streets Of the city amid
showers of greetings from the viewing
multitude on every hand; our old
boys, animated by the grand welcome,
put the left foot forward. keeping time
to the drum, made the best marching
possible; in fact, to better this march.
ing, we call up the sixties. Thus, for
two hours, We marched, carried for.
ward by the enthusiasm prevailing on
every hand. Every G. A. r. comrade
feels glad for his visit to Franklin.
Every heart within our Association
does, aud will ever bear testimony to
the noble, patriotic people of that city.
Boys, when our march of life is ended,
our camp, fires have died out and we
have been mustered ont of service, the
history of our organization filled up,
no brighter page will be found in that
history, than that which refers to our
reunion at Franklin, Aug. 18th. 1891.
One OF THE Boys.