The National tribune., 1895-07-04
UNION EX-PRISONERS.
Reunion of the Ohio Association at Circle
villa

vile.
The 18th annual Reunion OF the Ohio Asso-
citation of Union Ex-prisoners of War, held in
Circlevile, o., June 10 and 90 was a grand
success socially and otherwise. The citizens OF
that classic city and vicinity spared no efforts
in making these survivors of rebel prison-pens
comfortable aud enjoy themselves, and it was,
indeed, one of their bappiest Reunions. The
"ADdersonville prayer meeting" was largely
attended and assisted by the citizens, and was
one of the best prayer meetings the Association
has ever held. In the absence of Chaplain t. J.
Sheppard, Rev. Westervet, of CircleviIle, led
the meeting and AS he is an ex-soldier he
knew how TO lead.
The browning event of the whole Reunion
was the presentation Of gavel and pair of
sleeve-buttons made from the south post of the
main gate at Camp Ford Military Prison, Tyler,
Tex, to Capt. L. J. Cutter, Of Marietta, o.,
President of the Association, by A. j. Swanger,
of Shiloh, o., who was q member of Co. K, 120th
Ohio, and who was in Camp Ford while Capt
Cutter was there. As Comrade Swanger could
not be present, the presentation speech was
made by Rev. Westervelt. After Westervelt
concluded his remarks, by prearrangement,
Comrade j. A. Graham, of the Hath Ohio, who
was in Camp Ford at the same time Capt Cut
ter and Comrade Swanger were there, took the
floor, and in true Confederate style, as they
did when they captured these comrades, rob-
commanded the Captain to take off his cuff
buttons" which brought forth applause from
the great audience in Assembly Hall, where
the meeting was being held, and after
few weil-chosen remarks, presented him with
the buttons. whereupon Capt. Cutter made a
few remarks, saying the gavel, though simple
in appearance. was of great significance to him,
as it carried his mind back 81 years to the sad
dest memories of his life, also the happiest
I'm ba fror ubi tLaxa ,;Ft
made had been posted ths most tyrannical or
ders that ever emanated from any human
being especially when Col. Border was in COM
mand of the prison and Lieut.. McEachen was
Adiutant where all Union soldiers who died in
the prison were carried past this post. All
prisoners who entered the prison had to pass
this post; their scanty rations of rough corn
meal or shelled corn had to be brought by this
post, and the only happy event connected with
it. while it served as gate-post, and not only
of his confinement there, but all Union prison
ers, was when they passed it coming out that
gate to march to Gods country to be exchanged.
After very gracefully thanking the donors, he
resumed the business of the meeting.
The gavel is handsomely finished, with q
silver band at each end, inscribed as follows:
Presented to Capt. l.. j. Cutter by A. J.
Swanger, 120th Ohio" and to say that Capt.
Cutter cherishes those gifts Is putting it very
mildly.
The officers of the Association for the ensuing
year are: Pres, A. ]. Frazier, Dayton, o.; First
V.-P., Or. w. p. Madden, Xenia, o.; Second
V.-P., J. J. Kidd, Cambridge, o.; Rec. Sec, c.
T. Keech, Columbus o. (re-elected); Treas,
F. J. Esker, Chillicothe, o. (re-elected) Cor.
Sec, E. Sorgen. Kenton, o.; @. NJ, j. A. Ora
ham, Circleville, o. Rev. It. J. Sheppard, Chap
lain of the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Home,
was reelected Chaplain. The next Reunion
will be held in Kenton. o., the second Wednes-
day and Thursday in June, 1896.