The National tribune., 1896-09-10

FORT SMELLING OLD ROU
time since the days when it was the center
of activity for Minnesota's troops. 1t was
announced that all the Minnesota veterans
would assemble there for an informal Re-
| anIon, and as consequences they one and all
determined to spend the afternoon on their
old camping ground. But thousands Of
| other veteraus besides those from Minnesota
also determined 10 visit The historical spot,
and still other thousands Of visitors in the
city, including many wives and children OF
| the veterans thought there would be an
| especial interest in visiting the place at that
time. As result, the electro cars were
| entirely unable to accommodate the rush of
people who attempted 10 make the trip. 1t
| it thought that not over halt of the Mime
sofa troops attending the Encampment were
| able to reach the fort, and it is probable that
Of the others not over one-balf of those who
wanted to go were able to do so. Neverthe-
less, there was big crowd.
| The day was largely spent by veterans in
wandering over the spacious grounds and
hunting up cid comrades. Fort Smelling 10
always an object OF interest TO everyone, on
account of lis historical associations, SO
closely blended with the piopeer days and
| Northwest. But to Che veterans of the
Minnesota regiments it is especially inter
esting. Many of them were in garrison
| there for considerable period, and for all
of them it was the starring point in their
army life. large number of them had
never seen the place since they were dis
charged from the service Of Uncle Sam, and
| laid down heir arms and returned to the
pursuits of peace. To these the Reunion
was veritable feast, 1t was a study 10
watch them They gathered in groups, and
by comparing notes reconstructed III their
| imaginations the DID map of the place.
| They searched every where for the old IA
miIiar features. They attacked the Regu-
| lars stationed there with an unceaslng itisli-
| ladc of questions concerning the old land
marks, most of which have long since disap-
peared. Indeed, about the only thing LETT
from the old war days is the cd round
tower, which was counted to be of some an
tiquty even in that time, for it was erected
| in 1920
Late in the afternoon Commander Walker
Of the Grand Army arrived at the fort with
his siaf1 Col. Page, the commandment OF the
fort, had planned review of the Regu ar
troops by these officials. The men were
ordered out in light marching order, and
passed in review before the Commander and
his associates. There was also the ceremony
of flag raising. The evouticns of the troops
were watched with eager interest y the
thousands, but by none with greater inter
est than hat displayed by the Grand Army
men. The scene doubtless wildly recalled
the DAYS now SO long and so happily III the
past
THE TWENTIETH CORPS
One of the most agreeable Reunions of the
| Encam pment was that of the Twentieth Corps
in Room 3. Courthouse, Thursday morning. 1t
| was attended by more than 100 survivors
of Gen. Joe Hooker's famous command.
| permanent organization styled the Twentieth
| Corps Association WAS effected by the election
Of the following officers: DIR. Lawrence Wilson,
of Washington, ID. g., 7th Ohio, President;
| Can't A. Brigham of Chicago, 10TH N. Y, First
Vice President; John b. Belvage Of Sioux City.
Iowa, 1O5th H.. Second Vce-President; w.
Mckay, of Fergus Falls, Mimi, 154th N. T.,
Secretary.
President Wilson on taking the chair made
most appropriate address filed with historical
data and with touching memories of the COM
| rades who are gone. Gen. La Due, of Hastings,
Ouartermaster-G General of the Twentieth Corps,
was present and spoke briefly. Gen. La Due
has in his possession the identical Uuion flag
raised over tho City of Atlanta at the time of
| its capture-the same flag that was hOisted over
Savannah when the latter city fell into the
hands of Sherman's army in December. 1864,
the Twentieth Corps having the honor to be the
first body of the victorious army to enter both
of the fallen cities.
At the conclusion of informal addresses the
Reunion resolved itself into love feast. COM
rades sought out friends of the war days and
INDUCED in the personal "reminiscences SO dear
to the soldiers heart. Before adjournment each
member of the Association received q souvenir
in the shape of Gen. Butteried's address on
Gen. Hooker. The pamphlet is illustrated with
a handsome portrait I'll fie latter General. 1t
was decided to hold tho next Reunion at Buff
falo in 1897. All Survivors Of the Twentieth
Corps who were not present at the Reunion are
requested to send their, names and pcstoftice
addresses to Secretary G, w. Mckay, OF Fergus
Falls, Mimi. 80.
Wilson'S CAVALRY CORPS.
Wilson's Cavalry Corps, Army of the Ten
nessee, comprising iths Board Of Trade Bat
terry the 9Sth and 128th, Ill. MID Inf, the Sd
9th. TIN. 9Th, 18th, and 10Th III. Cav, and the
lst H. L. A., held Reunion in Armory Hal
Tuesday Many members of this corps me-
{ there informally and talked of old scenes and
Q | associations. ~
IeE I
WISCONSIN CAVALRY ASSOCIATION.
One of the most interesting assemblages II
!. the Courthouse was that of the Wisconsin Cav
2 airy Association, WHICH pet Tuesday Afternoon
q in the Council Chamber. The Association com
prises the LIST, 3D. 3D. and 18th Cav. of that State
/. The Association participated in the parade
f marching in the Wisconsin Division. d. L
9 Riley, of Lakefield. one of the Vice. President
of the Association, unsolicited President, AM
n o. S. Sisson was reelected Secretary. Capt
:. George w. Carter was elected President of tn,
. 4th regiment, aud thereby becomes one of tn,
J. Vice. Presidents Of tho Association. The grea
!. success of this Reunion was very generally
!. attributed to Fred Richter. of St. Paul, Chair
man of the General Citizens' Committee OF
: Reunions and former private of Co. D o
the LIST Wis. He had written fully 1000 letter.
on the subject to his old comrades, and theI
were present in force.
REGULAR BRIGADE
The Regular Army Brigade Of the Fourtl
Corps, Army of the Cumberland, comprising