The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-22
III Dill SEVENTEEN
GENERAL HARRISON'S REGIMENT
HOLDS ITS REUNION AT BETHANY.
President of the Associations
Speeches and "Reminiscences.

At Bethany Park yesterday was cele-
brated the SEVENTEEN Indiana Regiments
thirty-second anniversary. 1t was the
twentieth annual reunion of the veterans.
This is General Harrison's old regiment,
and many were the regrets expressed by
the comrades at the unavoidable absence
Of their honored commander. The large
number of veterans and their families who
were in attendance enjoyed the day to it's
fullest extent. The hotel and all buildings
had been kept open for the use of the
regiment.
A t 10 o'clock the fife and drums sounded
the assembly. and in a short time the
tabernacle was we'll filled. Capt. X. NJ.
Carsen. vice president of the association,
took charge. and in his opening remarks
expressed the regiments appreciation Of
the kindness of Bethany Assembly Asso-
citation in opening the beautiful park for
the use of the regiment as a place of re-
union. After the invocation by Rev. NJ.
NJ. Lawson, Frank Singleton, of Martins
vile. a son of one of the old veterans Of
the Seventeen. was introduced and de-
livered the address of welcome. He said
in part: ut would be difficult for any one
of you TO attend a reunion even of a con-
federate regiment and not participate in
it. Such is the feeling with which you
800 Go W. N1C
most trying days of your lives. We well
come you here to-day because we love you
and are proud of the deeds that you have
done; because you betrayed not the trust
confded in you; because the Morgan coun-
~ boys, were in the thickest of the fight.
1t would be improper, because unneces-
sary. TO recount the record made by this
regimen during the war. 1t is a matter
hottest corners of the Nation. What
Union soldier does not know the regiment
always found among the members of this
regiment the spirit that forgave the al
legged mistakes OF everybody except the
Johnnies. May your associations be ever
pleasant and your reunions grow in enjoy
ment."
Captain Carson next announced that in
his men for any duty, and again he would
axe that liberty and detail Comrade Dan
N: rI Kansdei to m the response. Mr.;
ago that it was not safe to disobey Capt.
z. 5. Carson. and if it was not for that
since 1 came to the grounds that this de-
tail was made. On occasions of this kind
am filed with emotion. Every year
spoke very touchingly Of the loss of Major
James L. Mitchell. who died since the last
a aH0iaanI MEETING sbsagce He de else ds0e Tsgfrf asrI,s the s uni
Colonel Merrill, but stated that since
scarcely any field officers were, present,
the boys could run things in their own
way, and he knew a most delightful day
would be enjoyed.
Following the address of Mr.. Ransdell
the regular business session of the asSO-
citation was held. The secretary and treas
urer'S reports were read and the commit
tees appointed. In appointing them Vice
President Carson spoke In favor of the
continuance of General Harrison as presI-
dent of the association and Colonel Mer-
rill as first vice president. Several letters
of regret were read from comrades who
were unable to attend. Among them We're
messages from G. c. Wallace, dated New
Nnrlx nffN-. l. al -
Merrill and G.. c. Wallace, of Indianapolis.
Just before the adjournment for the noon
hour L. l.. Carpenter, president of Beth
happy style. the welcome TO the regiment
and rendered 1t the entire freedom of the
grounds and buildings.
The assembly again sounded at 1:3O and
the first event was the recitation Of Shake
Schnyder's Ride by Comrade Calvert. The
ten was well given by Mr.. Calvert. The
annual address was delivered by Il. NJ.
Smock. He spoke chiefly of events con-
nected with the early service of the regi-
ment.. He asked the audience to go back
With him thir sSo years to the 18th day
marched out OF indianapolis and into Lou
i~sville. and then to Bowling Green, KY,
the first camping ground. Mr.; smQck said
ing ground. and he described the old
scenes so wildly that it all seemed to
had participated in those stirring events.
The first camping ground, the first long
roll sounded at night, the search for Nor
gan and his raiders, the first engagement
all were reviewed and old memories re-
vived. Mr.. Smock recently visited Gala
tin, Tenn; where the regiment had first
been divided. He then went to Murfrees-
boro. where. the regiment spent the first
summer and where it joyfully heard of
the fall of Vicksburg and the surrender
of Pemberton's army. Then back to Nash
vile the regiment marched and there
spent the winter. Their in the early spring
1t broke camp and went to join Sherman,
and on May 2. 1864, the great march TO
the sea began. From that time it was
watch" until July %. In conclusion Mr..
Smoc6 said: such. my comrades. was
liant regiment. What devotion TO duty.
What sacrifices, and what suffering, And
/ yet We hear IL said by some that the SOL
diers were paid for their services and that
the pension system is all wrong. God pity
the man whose heart is so small and whose
sense of inStica co dnll fhnt he nnnnn4