The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1894-06-22

Mich. Cav, was held as usual at Four
Mile Lake, June IA and Is, "a AS one
after another fell into line with greet
ing of hearty hand-shake we noticed
the familiar faces were scanned with
time and suffering. The day was passe 1
as usual, partaking of the good things
SO literally provided and recounting
incidents of the war. AT z p. IN. Capt.
Shoemaker called the company To order
for business. The following were
elected officers for the ensuing year:
Capt, s. Nj. Rawson lst Lieut., j. j :.
Paige; 2d Lieut., Chas. Burrell; q. NJ
and Treas, w. L. Barker; Sec'y, II. j.
Loveland.
BY request the minutes of the two
preceding meetings were read and APP
proved. After which the company and
friends gathered around the campfire,
which was opened by singing March
ing through Georgia"
Judge Heckert responded TO the call
for speech. Eloquently he pictured
the devotion of the men who had taken
their lives in their hands and, at their
countrys call, gone forth, counting all
things naught if their country might be
free. Pathetically he referred TO the
gray haired, battle SCARED veterans
whose rapidly thinning ranks told of
the victorious cOnquerer unto whom
the bravest must surrender. With
great power he arraigned the pension
department, its unjust rulings and alb
solute ingratitude To the men who had
made gratitude and justice possible.
j. +. Chandler, as the son of veteran,
spoke in stirring words of the associa-
ton of the Sons and all that 1t typitied.
Comrade K. A. Crane gave an inter
esting account of the trip South last
October, recalling many incidents and
carrying his listeners back TO their first
trip through those historic scenes.
Hon. +. A. Wildey gladly embraced
this opportunity to set himself right
with the boys" In the heat of polit-
zeal canvass many statements are made
that would not bear a search-light. His
tender years precluded his entering the
army, yet he recalled with pleasure his
participation in the pole raising in 1860
at Churchill's Corners, where he shared
with future soldiers the fatigues and
honors of the day While at Lansing
he looked upon the blood stained ban
ner of the gallant 4th, preserved among
the Michigan flags, with pride that it
had never been dishonored and that he
held number among his friends that
marched beneath its folds. Though he
could never be O.. A. r. man, he was
ever patriot.
H. j Loveland followed, taking up
the incidents of the trip last fall that
Comrade Crane had omitted. In pass
ing Smiths Crossroads he had been
reminded of the history of the Morgan
family. They were influential people,
living in comfort before the war Mr..
Morgan was Union man, and on the
arrival of our forces everything had
been taken from the family that could
give aid or comfort to the enemy. They
were reduced to the barcst necessities
of life. Early in the war Mrs. Nj. had
made silk flag which she wore about
her person and, after the arrival of the
Federal forces, she had it nailed to the
gate post. This flag she gave TO Com
rade Loveland, but in the change of
position he was unable to call for it,
which he had always regretted. One
incident in the lives of this family
stands out with thrilling interest. Mr..
Morgan had been three times arrested
for Union sentiments. The third time,
as his captors were consulting beneath
a large oak tree, Mrs. Nj. went to them,
holding by either hand little child,
" My husband, she said, though they
may hang you to limb of this tree, or
riddle your body with rebel bullets, be
true to your country; and if | live | will
rear these children To reverence and
support the prin .iples you died to main
tain" What think you? Did her coun-
try's flag mean anthing to her?
The exercises were enliyened by the
singing of patriotic songs by the COM
rades.
One more night of rest and the in
evitable order TO break camp, which
announces the reunion is over. If unto
each heart there came the thought:
Shall be here to answer at roll call
another year? we made no sigu. The
soldier is ever under marching orders.
The following comrades answered to
roll call.