The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-08-11
REUNION OF THE 10TH
GENERAL HARRIsON's REGIMENT
MEETS AT ACTON PARK.
Touching Letter Received by the
Comrades from Their Former Com
mander-Services at Bethany.

On all the trains to Acton yesterday the
old boys in blue came struggling into the
grounds for the annual reunion of the
SEVENTEEN Regiment. The cottagers appre-
ciated their visit as shown by the colors
waving from nearly every house. either
fags or bunting. and the visitors evidently
noticed the courtesy Seated on the long
benches on the hotel veranda they lay in
wait for any old comrade, ard as one APP
peared he would be started down the line
with many a shake and squeeze. Many
gathered in little groups under the trees.
fighting over their old battles, and loud
Ia. ha, and slap on the knee and an
empty sleeve waving hilariously in the air
would testify that some nearly forgotten
joke or prank was being retold, and grew
furnier with each retelling.
At least two dozen were present at noon.
and as they were seated In the dining room
some one started the old song. "Blest Be
the Tie That Binds" and every one who
could joined in
At 2:30 the pavilion was filed with
much larger audience than had usually
been found in the afternoon. and it was
very gay with its new decorations. large
bunch OF flags suspended from the
middle of the ceiling. and long streamers
of colors were crossed over the stage. above
which the picture of General Harrison was
placed in the most conspicuous place. a
large American flag gracefully draped
formed the background TO very pretty
scene.
The speaker Of the afternoon was Ralph
Bates. who. with Richard King. escaped
from Andersonville prison, and after many
hardships and narrow escapes finally
reached General Shermans army. where
they were taken in charge by the General
h0 "A
Of Southern prison treatment to President
Lincoln. The President cared for them for
twelve days. and great exchange of pris-
oners followed the story told him. This
story was repeated yesterday by MIR. Bates,
who also showed the medal given him by
President Garfield. Mr.. Bates spoke for
two hours and twenty-five minutes and
was urged by the audience TO go on. for
he he told Old Of the death Of captain Writ
showed how the comrades sympathized
with him.
o'clock train I'm the evening, and were met
at the gate. the happy, greetings made a
contagious smile spread over the faces of
all the onlookers.
GEN. HARRISONS LETTER.
At 7:3o. after the invocation pro-
nounced by comrade Ward, Of Bedford
songs were sung with a refreshing enthusi-
asm. and letter was read to the boys Of
the SEVENTEEN from General Harrison by
Mr.. Smock. 1t written from Berkeley
Lodge. N. Y.
lit is really grief to to be pre-
vented from attending this reunion" said
General Harrison, but IL will be impossi-
bic for me to make the long journey. VIII
you be good enough to carry for me to
there a warm heartfelt personal greet
ing. They have been good 10 NEAL of
them. and they have very warm place
The address of welcome was given by DR..
Ford. of Madison, who welcomed the Sew
entieth in the name of the consecrated
blood of patriots, in the name of national
sovereignty, OF the patriotism which
changed nation OF citizens into nation
of warriors. and In the name of Harrison.
their commander. who gave the Nation the
cleanest administration in the last half
Colonel Merrill responded to the address
In his characteristic manner. and an
nounced a song by A. III: Graham. OF the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Illinois. He said, in
Introducing Mr.. Graham:
There were four of we boys of the Sew
entieth' on n foragfng expedition. We came
across barrel On bursting in the head
we found IL was full of molasses. While
filling our canteens with it old negro
out OBJ da. dats my 'lasses." and began
striking us with paddle. She. knocked
one OF the boys against the wall. and we
caught her and soused her in the Darrell OF
molasses and then let her go. Just then
the Observation-Disclosures Illinois came
along and drank every drop of molasess in
the barrel. SO that Is why comrade Graham
!. has such a sweet voice"
Comrade Eb Harbett read an original
poem on Company ]. which was loudly
cheered each familiar name was men,
toned Col. l. ". Walker could not be
present on account Of iii health. but De-
partment Commander Caylor paid beauti-
ful tribute to Indiana's patriots and made
plea for comfortable soldiers homes
After another rousing song by the sweet
voiced Mr.. Graham. Irwin Robbins adju-
tant-general of the c. A. r.. gave a num-
Der Of army "reminiscences. which provoked
much mirth as the old times were recalled
G. w. Grubbs had the subject. 1.-The Sew
entieth Regiment" and the high tributes
he paid to IL were Justly deserved. a : shown
by the great applause of the audience as
he proceeded.
The last address of the evening was bv
w III. Armstrong. who spoke OF the work
or the G.. A. r. in securing the textbooks
In history I'm the public schools giving hon
ing the Confederate and belittling the
Union commanders. The programme for
to-day Is follows: M
Nine a. m, assembly. bugle call.
invocation. Rev. ]. A. Ward
Song. Cycle Quartet.
Welcome address, DIR. Ford.
Response.
Song. A. III. Graham. One-hundred nd
twentv-ninth Illinois.
Reading OF the minutes. by Secretary
Nelson Yoke.
Annual address Frank Hurm
Song W. III. Graham, One hundred and
fifth Illinois.
Report OF committees
Annual poem. Eb Harbert
Miscellaneous business and short talks BY
the comrades.
Last night there were fifty-three old
friends i'm the Seventeen sitting on the
vcrandas Of the hotel and large number
Is expected for this mornings meeting