The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1895-08-21


us the thirty-fourth anniversary Of our
departure for the scenes OF war. Time
has worked great changes with us since
1861 with us who survive Time has
dealt as with all mankind. Many now
see with dimmed vision, walk with halt
ing step and bended forms, while all our
heads are silvered with the frosts of time,
and we see that the day Is not far distant
when we shall enter the last bivouac;
when we shall hear the last bugle call OF
"taps' and lie down to a slumber from
which we shall only be awakened by
that reveille that shall muster us on the
other shore.
Feeling ourself unable as we do to ad-
dress so large and intelligent an assem-
bly, as greets us on this occasion, we pro-
pose to be brief, and in this fact will per-
haps be the only merit of our address.
In the few moments allowed us, perhaps
we can give you only faint glimpse of
the history of our organization, whose
valor and achievements have contri-
buted their full share of lustre to the
military annals of our own state, and to
| tiV BiOA dllh bilhhiBi vi Jul NdbiOllht
arms. To tell the story and to recite this
history of the Tionesta Rangers, and to
| speak of the momentous events of 1861
to '65, is indeed no trifling talk events
which rendered to every lover of liberty
a free constitutional Government, saved
only by the splendid courage, patriotic de-
votion and sublime heroism of the boys
in blue.
Turn back the curtains of time to the
early days of 1861. 1t was at this time
that the honor of our nation was as
sailed. people nourished under the
Stars and Stripes now with deliberate
aim fires upon "old glory''as she flies on
the parapets of Sumpteri The echo of that
| gun aroused the patriotism of the north.
1t proved TO be the reveille Of liberty. 1t
rolled along our eastern coast up through
our New England States until it struck
the numbering camps of Mainel Again
rebounding back through the Middle
States, rolled on across the prairies of the
West, leaping the Rocky Mountains,
rolled on and on until it struck the
shores of the Pacific, and in answer to
tlluJ uh NOnb DdCh ihG CnOl VIC
mighty chorus, 1--WE are coming, Father
Abraham, three hundred thousand
strongl"
Scarcely had the guns of the harbor
ceased to smoke until the call for volun-
teers was heard in our own little town of
| Tionesta; and in answer that to call came
forward the strong young men saying,
| Let ) ha
pervision of d. S. Knox, Geo. Stow and
d. w. Clark, a company organization
was perfected and known as the "Tio-
nesta Rangers" At this moment reg
iment of three-years' men was being or
ganized at Erie, Pa, under the direction
and supervision of a noted hero of Mex
ican fame, Colonel John w. McLane.
The Rangers at once rendered their SER
vices to McLane, which was at once ac-
cepted. Then began the preparation of
departure for the rendezvous at Erie.
August 20 was the day fixed for the de-
parture from this place. On the day
previous, the 10Th, by request they met
in Tionesta; many of them no more to
return to their homes. They came from
the numbering camps along the Tionesta
and Hickories; from German Hill,
Church Hill, and vicinity, and from Pit
hole and President. Young ladies and
young men, draw aside the curtain look
upon the heart -bleedings and gloom that
then hung over those once happy homes,
and there begin to compute the cost oi
cruel war waged against the flag of your
fathers
Let us call your attention to one of the
not-forgotten events of the 10th day Of
August. AS the csmpany was drawn uI
in line a group of ladies presented them.
selves, bearing above their heads and
softly floating upon the preeze, a beauti-
full new starry banner of the production
of their own loving hearts; the work OF
their patriotic hands. In moment their
representative, Miss Belle Dale, (now
Mrs. Deweesl stepped to the front
proudly bearing the flag above, and in 8
neat soul-stirring, patriotic speech, in
behalf of the ladies of Tionesta, pIesen-
ted the flag to the Tionesta Rangers
The flag was received and the responsive
address was made in behalf of the com
pany by our now departed comrade, Rev
o. b. Clark, who, in the course of his re-
marks, said that that same flag should
again, under the approving smiles of the
God of Battles, float untarnished on the
streets of Tionesta. Thirty-four year,
ago the day dawned beautiful and calm
a heavy fog hanging over the town as i
to hide from angel vision the last sac
, scenes of parting. Seven o'clock, thu
, hour for departure, is near at hand thu
large flat-boat is ready at the landing un
der the direction of VIM. White. Pres
= emily the boys, amid strains of MARTA
music, march aboard, and while they anC
the friends We'd with each other in cheer
. and "God bless you," the cables werI
, slipped and she moved proudly up tn
!. river, ana soon TiOnesta was lost 20 sight
And while our friend fingered on Wate
street to catch the last sound of tn
! drums or cheer of the boys, the fog CAV
, way to the bright rays of the sun, and
was then that they realized as never be
, fore that the Tionesta Rangers had LEI
g your town and shore. Yes, you said, tn
, boys have gone to lay themselves vol
untary sacrifice on the altar OF our com
mon country. Comrade Clark precede'