The midland journal., 1892-10-07
Reunion of Old Veterans.

Last Saturday, October 1st, was a
gala day at Rising Sun. The annual
reunion of Shows Battery, B., Mary
land Artillery was held in Garfield
Post Hall on that day and grand re-
union of the survivors of the Purnell
Legion and other comrades, with a
dinner, parade and speeches when the
old soldiers shouldered their crutches
and fought their battles anew.
The ceremonies of the day were
opened by meeting of the Battery at 10
! O'Clock for the election of officers for
the ensuing year. President, Lieut.,
Kidd: Sect. w. H. Cook; Marshall of
parade. Thomas Kirk.
In the meantime Garfield Post, No.
IS, G A. R., or more literally speaking,
the wives and daughters of the Post,
had been busy preparing dinner for
the visiting veteran, Company E.
Purnell Legion, their wives and
daughters and invited guests of the
Post. The dinner, like all such enter
tainments prepared by the ladies of
Rising Sun, was bountiful in quantity.
tempting in quality and laid in the
town Hall where all who came were
served until eating ceased to be an en-
joyment.
After dinner the line was formed in
front of the Hall and to the sound of
martial music by Rising Sun Cornet
Band, rs old vets. marched through
the principal streets of the town carry
ing the old battle flag of the battery
which;had been borne aloft through the
smoke and fire on so many bloody
battle fields. This flag was presented
to Shows Battery by the ladies of Port
Deposit when the company marched
out to take their places in the armies of
the union.
The procession was commanded by
Major Fulton of Purnell Legion and
composed ofSnow's Battery, command
ed by Thomas Kirk; Company e, Pur-
nell Legion. commanded by Lieut..
Burns; Garfield Post. commanded by
Comrade, c. w. Wilson.
The march over the dusty streets
under scorching sun, made the old
vets. perspire rrofuseIy, forcibly re-
minding them of the old times when
marching through Dixie when their
step was more firm and elastic before
the weight OF more than quarter of a
century rested upon them.
The line broke ranks in front of the
town Hall where all assembled to enjoy
the speeches. The meeting organized
by electing Comrade G. W. Wilson,
Pres; Major w. T. Fulton, Purnell
Legion, Lieut.. TT. Vanneman and w.
H. Cook Of Shows Battery. Vice-Presi-
dents: Sect. Comrade, Samuel Hamble-
ton of Garfield Post. Prayer by Rev
Elm Kirk, Chaplain of 122d Penn.
Volunteers. and the address of welcome
by B. Meade Wagenseller, which was
responded to by Lieut.. I. J. Vanneman
i4peeches were then made by Major
Fulton of the Legion, Warren L. Kauff:
man, Principal of Friends Normal In
stitute Cot. Ewing of Chicago, Ill. Rev.
Elm Kirk, (Which was very eloquent
and impassioned address, Melvin Snow.
nephew of Captain Snow of the Battery;
Rev. F.B. Short Gf Wilmington. DR..
Neiper of Mo-, Comrade SAMUEL Gray
of Chester, Pa, Lieutenant Kidd. Mr.. |
Fl. H. Haines of Rising Sun made the
concluding address, which was fervent |
earnest aud patriotic which set the
blood of the old vets. to tingling as they |
broke out in cheers. The old soldiers
recounted many amusing anecdotes
and save "Reminiscences of the war. Col
Ewing recited parody on ''Sheridan's
Ride which brought the house down.
Altogether the reunion was most |
gratifying success to the comrades who
gathered again to mark the flight of
time, as year after year is tod off, and
marx the missing ones while the roll
is being called. with saddened memories
as no name responds.
The town was crowded by visitors
from the surrounding countrv. Many
residences and place of business were
gaiy decorated with flags and the
citizens appeared in their holiday attire
to Welcome the old boys in blue.
Comrades were present from ten diff
ferent states and took part in the cere
monies of the day.