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

Of the Meade tent last night at the reunion OF
the third army corps. Such ovation is sell
dom accorded the chief magistrate of o repub-
lie. Cheer upon cheer, with a "tiger, rang
through the tent and out over the lawn Of Grand
Army Place. Gen. Sickles was visibly moved.
The third army corps, which held the re-
union, was participant in the hardest battles
Of the rebellion. Among others were Fair Oaks.
Williamsburg, Fredericksburg, Antietam,
Charlottesville, Wilderness campaign, Peters
burg, Five Forks and Appomattox. At the
battle Of Chancellorsville they won great re-
nown by fighting the entire battle in order to
allow the Army of the Potomac TO fall back.
At Gettysburg they advanced to meet Long
stree. and thus brought on the second days
battle. During its organization 1t was COM
manded by such menas Fighting" Joe Hooker,
Heintzelman, Sickles, Birney and French.
The meeting was considerably delayed bv the
absence of some of the speakers. While their
arrival was awaited E. s. Tracy, cornetist, led
a choir composed OF some OF the public school
children, and the 800 or 400 survivors collected
in the tent Joined heartily in the chorus.
Rev. Chas- A. Stakeley opened the reunion
with a short invocation, after which Maj. A. II.
G.. Richardson, the local chairman of the corps,
called the assemblage to order and introduced
Gen. Dan Sickles. And then there was another
scene. Stepping to the front of the platform
he carefully scrutinized the faces before him and
said:
GEN. sIcKLEs TALKS.
"Well, boys, here we are under a tent again.
always feel at home with the third corps, but
especially do feel so under tent. 1t is pretty
large tent for the field but then the third corps
Is big thing and needs n big tent.
You have come to Washington in vast num-
bers, unprecedented in your history unpre-
cedented in the history of any country. That
toaraHa of which
might be proud to feel and know it had such
men as you. Most Of you are men Of '61, men
whom gold could not lure 10 guard any cause,
but men coming forward for love of country to
give your lifes blood to save your homes.
You have conquered your greatest enemy
time. You have come TO Washington, which is
destined to be the greatest capital of any na-
ton; destined to be the capital Of the greatest
nation in the world.
"Your commander Is proud of you. He loves
you He takes you in his arms and hugs you.
This sentiment will last as long as live and
giving expression to it will be the last words on
my lips"
JOE HOOKER AND PHIL KEARyEY.
Gen. Sickles continued at some length, speak
ing of the corps and its commanders, especially
Joe Hooker and Phil Kearney. He recalled his
meeting with Gen. Longstreet at Atlanta
amid much laughter. He recounted the Incl
dents of a call he made yesterday afternoon on
Gen. Alfred Pleasonton. an invalid for the past
three years. Gen. Sickles said of Gen. Pleason-
ton: "That dauntiess spirit, that brave eye,
that heroic bearing, still visible as the pale
face rested on the white pillow. The soul
of Pleasonton was there. He was
never more animated than when he
spoke Of the third corps work at Gettysburg.
As left he extended his attenuated hand and
said: How wish / were going with you to-
night to meet your men. Tell them how l
| remember them. God bless the third army
corps. for it gave me the happiest hour of my
military life.'
Gen. Sickles in closing spoke very feelingly
| OF President Harrisons troubles and a resolu-
tion of sympathy was adopted. Gen. Joseph
B. Carr of Troy, N. Y, Gen. c. T. Coils Of
New York, Gen. Macarthur and Gen. Keifer Of
Ohio also spoke briefly. Letters Of regret
were read from Gen. Soley, "Sprig" Carroll,
Gen. Robinson, Gen. De Tobrian, o. NJ. Poe,
G. II. Stevenson. E. A. Walker and W. ]. Sewall.
| Gen. sickles then stepped TO the front Of the
platform and argued why the soldiers were
entitled to pensions, and as he closed Gen. Carr
roso and, taking the lead, three rousing cheers
were given for the Hero Of Gettysburg"