The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-06-13

|
of the different states, and General Grant.
The foreigner selected a place in which to
view these troops, near the hotel; General Grant
stood beside the president. The army of the
Potomac was commanded by that brave warrior
and Justly called, the hero of Gettysburg, General
George &. Meade. And may say with truth,
that more courageous man never wore the
military uniform of a soldier. Sherman rode at
the head of his army, followed in the rear by his
renowned Bummers. refer to William Tecum
sab Sherman, the same who marched from At
lanta to the sea. Custer there in all his
glory wearing his red necktie, riding at the
head of as fine a body of cavalrymen as ever
drew sabre. Hunt was there with the artillery
which had 'roared and Numbered" on the plains
of Manassas, by the side of the Rapahannock,
on the fields of Antietam, and on the hills of
Gettysburg. Hooker was there; aye fighting
Joe Hooker, as gallant as when he led his troops
in the battle amidst the Clouds Sheridan was
there, Hancock. Fitzpatrick. Gibbons, Logan,
| '.honest Jack Logan" and Owens, Miles, Cald-
well. Sickles. Schofield, and so might go on and
enumerate. in fact the flower of all that was left
of the brave defenders of the old flag, both of
the rank and file of the Union army were'there.
led by their distinguished commanders.
One of the grandest military displays was
roCOrQoO IN history; one VI WHICH, InlS COUNTY,
might we'll be proud, for it was the closing scene
of great drama. These were the men who had |
faced one of the bravest most resOlute armies
ever marshalled in any war, or at any time.
They were returning after four years of hard
fighting to final review, then to proceed to
their homes and loved ones; to father mother, |
wife and children.
| This is what the man from foreign parts saw |
and learned This soldier who had been reared |
at court educated in the best military schools of
Europe, beheld something which opened his
eyes wider. First he behed riding in master |
ly wel-disciplined well-drlled manner, as
cavalry men, those who but few months before
had held the plOw or welded the scythe. For
here were men from the farm, the workshop,
the counting ROOM from the anvil, from school;
minister's lawyers doctors were there. From
every calling in life came these gallant troopers,
that in few months had been drilled to endure
the hardships incidental to war. These men
had proved their valOr many hOtly con-
tested battle field, gaining the title as one of
the most efficient branches of the service. l say
this man from across the water beheld them
riding in an unbroken column. head erect, maln-
tanning solid front. as perfect a body of cavalry
men as he had ever beheld riding in any military
review in the world. His opinion was, quoting
no nation ever possessed such an arm of ser
, vice." And our distinguished friend and military
, critic admitted to group of officers gathered
together at the close OF the day, that he had
witnessed the grandest sight of his life. And he
would attest to the bravery, endurance, good
discipline. and above all to the patriotism of an
American soldier. Indeed, believe that patriot
ism, love of the old flag, was the motive which
t prompted the greater part of these men to sacr-
e flee their all for Liberty and UniOn.''
Second, our friend from foreign shore be-
a held the decimated ranks of the brave regiments
d of infantry which he had seen on many bloody
d battle field. Regiments of infantry joining the
S army with their roster eight or nine hundred
i strong. now reduced to a handful so to speak.
The First Minnesota, losing in one battle, l be-
II eve, 24S killed, 316 wounded, 564 out of 800. The
g Sixty-ninth New York 229 killed. 41s wounded,
647 out of the 500. The Seventh Wisconsin los
ing in one engagement pa killed. $40 wounded.
At Gettysburg, the regiment to which belonged
lost 229 killed, 3S1 wounded of the "a commits
stoned officers present were killed. So
might go on and enumerate the losses to our
army, showing how fearful was the slaughter to
n many brave regiment of infantry. In part
n this is what our man from France saw, an army
IS of patriots, defenders of the Union, soldiers
:: then, they are citizens now.
F Were an Irishman 1 would love every inch
of my native soil. and keep closely twined into
:, my heart the names and deeds of her brave
sons, who have made the fair Emerald Isle
famous. Were a German, would likewise be
Is proud of my Fatherland. have. my fellow
Chautauquans, three undying loves, love of m!
C God. my country and nay own family OF wife
and children.
with
- Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land
F think there are one or two lessons to b'
learned from our late Civil war and Its results
p Does not citizen owe to his country read,
response to serve her in time of war, for thu
- protection he receives in time of peace? Gu
- government owes much to those who have de
- Tended it in times of national peril and have be
- come disabled. 1t should provide for the Grip
~ pied and the manned. l am not harplng at an.
- ill treatment today, which some of these Draw
-. men have received but do say it is rank in
=, Justice that 10000 or more old soldiers of on
~ late war are inmates of poor houses. paupers
=. dying in want.
- This is Memorial Sunday and we do we'll t.
~ pause and reflect. This is one of the days Sc
apart to offer tribute of love and respect to tn
~ brave boys who periled their lives to defen'
and save the nation. 1t is. believe, with feel
~ ings of love and tenderness gather today t.
- lay our small heart offerings on this altar w
'' bring no lofty embellished eulogies, we have n
: opportunity to lay flowers tenderly and lOvingl
'l on the grave of any comrade; but here we CA
=. offer up as token, our gratitude. praise, low
and honor to those who died that you and Nigh
~, live together in peace and harmony. Thes
49,, men died to save nation, died to unite
~ nation. and grandly did they succeed
Native whites, born of native parents forr
so per cent of our national voting strength.
New York City contains one fifth of all tn
Russians in this country and One-fOurth of a