The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-17
THE ARMY OF TUE POTOMAC.

The reunion of the Army of the Poto-
mac finished its proceedings at Scranton
yesterday. These army reunions are a
curious anomaly in our American life.
They are about the only occasions when
men of both parties, of all religions and
no religion, no matter what war as stout
soldiers they wage against each other in
politics. in the business of life. consent to
stop strife, bend low in common reverence
20 the cool and shady uli of patriotic men,
cries, where they drink deep and bury for
the moment every feeling but that of
thanksgiving for the refres hing draught
they quaff from the bubhling fount of their
one common cause. Public griefs and quar-
rels. once bitter. burning memory be-
tween the sections, have faded like private
feuds and sorrows under the tender touch
of time, which is at once avenger and
healer. In 1855 this Society of the Army
of the Potomac met in Baltimore. the me-
tropolis of state that had thousands Of
her sons In the Confederate army. and
Baltimore put on her best dress to VEL
come the survivors of the great Union
army whose first battalion her mob tried
to murder. Not quite quarter of = GEN.
fury had elapsed since the day o: rage and
fear. April 10. 1861. and Baltimores Con-
federate children. who used to sing the
finest lyric of the war. My Maryland"
appealing TO the South to
Avenre the patriotic gore
That wet tho streets of Baltimore.
found themselves feastirg and frsternir-
ing with the survivors of tina. very Army
of the Potomac whose bayonets pinned
Baltimore TO the Union. All this is well,
SO that il be sincere. since il is desirable
that the growing generation does not imi-
tate the pig-headei oraageren who per-
retuate the memory OF battle of race and
religious prejudice by parading with otfen-
sive music and insignia on the anniver-
ssry of the victory Of the Boyne.
While the battles Of the Army OF the
Potomac, ss sn organization. were con-
fined TO Virginia, Maryland and Pennsyl.
vanis, IL was not exclusively composed q
troops from New England and the Middle
states. The roster Of she Army Of the Po-
tomac ST Gettysburg included some fifty
Western organizations Of infantry. cav
airy and artillery, and large bodies Of
troops that fought with the Army OF the
Potomac subsequently fought at the West
The Eleventh and Twelfth corps Of the
Army Of the Potomac were sent under
Hooker, Slocurn and Howard 10 Tennessee
after our defeat at ChiekamAusa. helped
Grant 20 win the victory az Chattanoora,
and finished their career under sherman,
while the Ninth corps fought for time
At vicksSurS snd Knoxville. So Grant.
Sheridan and Crook fought both with the
srmies Of the West and the Army Of the
Potomac. The armies, East and West.
were not exclusively composed OF iraors
from their respective sections, and many
men and several great commanders
fought AZ different times with She e7es,
armies Of both sections. This blending Of
the gaen Of both sections; this disra;chiur
OF Eastern troops west and Western t-oo,s
cas-, makes the Army Of the Potomac
known by the sympatheEie tou,h
81 the elbow in every state Of the
East or the West, On the Pa,is,
as we'll IS the Atlantic eoass The Army
az the Potomac under is first Commander
Mcclellan, Was composed Of mssnl6cent
material and splendidly appointed With
the exception Of Sickles. Birney, Berry,
RutierEsld, Duryse. Messher ana nevens,
the generals Of corps. divisions, and 0ri-
gades were acne Of them from civil life
while msny Of tae colonies Of volunteer
regiments and commanders OF batteries
we're graduates of West Point There WAS
toe much artillery aud too few cavalry.
And We; this splendid srnv failed. Il.
halted before Yorktown thirty DAYS, where
. Confederate army, that az 40 time ex-
eesaed so.ooo men, confronted al army