Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-22
TIE OLD SIXTH CORPS.

THE OLD SIXTH CORPS.
A Eou.In:: Keuaion Held in Grant Tent
Yesterday Afternoon.
scene so impressive. so dear to all, though
associated with many sad and bitter recollec-
lions l. seldom witnessed was presented by
the survivors Of the sixth army corps, which
held its reunion in the Grant tent yesterday
afternoon Ii was q sigh. that would stir the
rao-t sluggish with thrill of patriotism and
END tears to the eyes Of the most hardened
Gathered side by side were fully thousand
veterans of this illlstrious corps. They had
looked forward for months to this grand re-
union. AMI in it, fulillment their feelings gave
way. and pent up nature had unlimited sway.
To greet their old comrades. even TO fall into
each others arms and have n manly hug. was
not the greatest pleasure. Not until the former
commanders of the corps showed their faces.
while above them waved the old corps flag, did
the enthusiasm reach its limit Then to de
scribe the scene would only mar beautiful
picture. The veterans cheered Justify again
and again the lips of almost everyone could be
seen 20 tremble while on the evellds glistened
the tears OF supreme qualification 1t was
grand scene.
The sixth army corps was organized May IS,
Is62 and throughout the conflict was COM
manded By the following distinguished gen
erals: Mai Cen. Vim. B. Franklin, Maj. Gen.
II. W. Sloeum. Maj. Gen Wm- +. Smith. Maj.
Gen John Sedgwick, Maj. Gen. Horatlo
Wright and Bvt- Maj. Gen. Geo. W Getty. By
Its vhlorous and grand work during the war it
won for itself IN enviO1s and nlustrious repu-
tation- Among the battles in Shich this corps
took prominent and often decisive part
were West Point, Gaines Mills. Seven Days
Fight, the Peninsula CamYaign. Antietarn,
CHAMPION Pass both Fredericksburg, Gettys-
burg, where the third division turned the tide
Of battle on victOry's side; Wilderness. Spo.tsyl
vania. Cold Harbor. Petersburg. Cedar Greek,
Five Fork. Winchester. Appomattox. the VAL
ley Campaign and the defense of Washington
city.
WIT THEY WERE NOT IN THE GRAND REVIEW.
The sixth corps did not participate in the
grand parade on Pennsyivania avenue twenty
seven years ago. for they were In Virginia look
ing after Johnston When they reached Dam
Vile Johnston sent Q telegram announcing his
surrender. The corps then returned to this
city and had an individual review. To this
corps also belongs the glory Of saving this city
from capture and destruction by. the rebel
forces. By hurried marches they reached
Washington, that whom Jubal Early's army
arrived they were surprised to find the flag Of
the old sixth flying from the hilltops.
The meeting yesterday was called to order
By Capt. ii. VI. Gilman. He thought that there
could be no more fitting place for the reunion
Of the sixth corps. owing to the part It bad
taken in its defense. In few words he intro
ducei Gen. H. G. Wright. the last commander
of the corps and nominated him for chairman.
The nomination was carried with a vim, rs the
boys In blue beheld their old commander again.
For five minutes the demonstration continued
During the entire course of his remarks he was
Interrupted with cheers. As he closed with the
words. The sixth corps went through the en-
tire var AMI came out second to none. the
NOISE terrible.
Gen Wright then presented Gen.. William
b. F-ankhn who wRs the first commander Of the
corps His reception was most enthusiastic.
II Wa the happiest moment of his life, he said
vhsn he took charge OF the sixth army corps.
lt- reputation was due to the men who formed
Hand it, record the peer Of any corps In any
army during the wa, "or any other war, added
ssPectator-
ASSISTANT SECRETARY GRANTS ADDRESS.
Comrade Geo. H. Iillibridge sang "Tenting
On the Old Camp Ground" and 200 voices.
some husky from unres,rainSd feeling. were
raised In the chorus. Assistant Secretary Of
War l. o. Grant delivered a stirring address of
welcome. IN which he referred TO the sixth
army corps as one which had never turned its
back either On its friend OF enemy. lie men
toned. amid great cheering. the occasion at
Cedar Greek when tine sixth, by its heroism,
saved the whole army. The band played ''Co-
luubis. the Gem OF the Ocean before Gen
keifer took the stand for a brief address.
He received a hearty welcome. Al the conclu-
sion OF his address Chief Clerk Tweedale of the
War Department read with excellent elocu-
.tionary effect some verses dedicated to the
sixth corpr BY the wife of one of its members.
The efect on the assemblage was apparent by
the hats that waved. the cheers that rang and
the tears that flowed
In the cour-e of a speech by Gen. William II.
Seward he said that Tallyrnnd wns quoted ''Men
never became accustomed to two thirgs-the
ravsges CT time and the criticism Of men -
The ravagcs of time We cannot hinder" said
Gen Seward. but the criticism of men can be
corrected. Never Until recently has Gen.
Wright. our chairman and commander re-
ce.vsd hi- full credit for the battle of Ceda,
Greek, where be turned defeat into victory
OTHER BRrEF SPEECHES.
". II. Perkins Of Alexander battery, Capt
Jack McCahe and Comrade Bowles of the sixth
Maine and Comrsde johnson Of Pennsylvania
also spoke briefly, after which Gen. GRAM
again came forward TO speak eulogistically o.
the lamsuted commander OF the corps, Gen
John Sedgwick. Who fell in battle. Calls wer,
made fer Gen. WIN. II. Penrose, but in his com
Pll-ory absence on account Of sickness hi
eldest son. DIR. Geo. III. Penrose. nssis:an
surgeon NJ the soldiers Home, was introduces
and made short address. Another demon
stration occurred when one OF the speaker
said that almost the last words of Gen. Pap
Riekstts on his death bed were. Il loved tn
old sixth corps"
On the Platform in a glass frame tn
original sixth corps flag. which was borne frou
Rapidan TO AppOmHttOx. the defense OF Wash
iagton and the valley campeign-from tn
death Of Scdgwtek 10 the clio Q OF the war Il
its tattered condition il could not be waved
In its stead was a fac simile made by Mrs. Gen
Wright For this generous and patriotic dec
Mrs. Wright was given n vote OF thanks.
Just before the close of the meeting y per
rnansnt organization WAS effected By electin
Gen Wright president, with headquarters /
this city and privilege to choose his own oil
eers. The place and time OF the next annus
meeting was Il xed as the location OF the no,
annual encnmpment Of the g. A. Il. At th
conclusion of the meeting Cen wrigh. held
reception
srCKLEs WAS THE HERO.