The National tribune., 1896-10-01
REMARKABLE RECORD.


History Of Brackets Battalion and ns 90.
Paul Reunion.
EDITOR NATIONAL, TRIBUNE: During the
National Eucampmsnt Of GAR just held at
st. Paul, Mina., Aug. 81 to Sept. 5, there came
together company, or rather the survivors Of
com pany. that made . remarkable gathering
In many ways This was the frst Reunion Of
1865. 30 years and three months ago.
This company enlisted in September, 1861,
In Minnesota; was mustered into service at
Fort Smelling, Minn., Nov. 1, 1881. The COM
pany Was recruited at Mankato. st. Peter, VIM
nebago City, Jackson, Blue Earth City, Garden
City. Vernon, Sterling. Minneapolis, st. Paul.
and Duluth. 1t was sent South soon after mus
ter along with two other companies of light
cavalry and was incorporated into picked regi-
ment, consisting of four companies from lows,
three companies from Nebraska, three COM
panies from Minnesota, one company from
Missouri, and one company from Illinois. 1t
was known as the 5th Iowa Cav, and served in
tho Army of the Cumberland under its different
commanders until January, 1854 when the
three Minnesota companies. with the rest OF the
regiment. re-enlisted, and went home on vet
Gran furlough. at the expiration of which these
three Minnesota companies were transferred
from the old regiment and the 5th Iowa was
consolidated with the 5th Iowa Cav, and did
gallant service until the close of the war.
The three Minnesota companies were at the
expiration Of their veteran furlough organized
into an independent battalion by adding one
company raised and recruited by Capt. Asa
Barton, of Northield, Minn., and were from
that time on known as Bracketts Battalion,
Minnesota Cavalry, and assigned for duty on
the frontier against the hostile Sioux. It
served in the Indian campaigns of 1864. 1865,
and until mustered out in June, 1866, under
command of Gen. Sully.
This Reunion of the survivors of Brackets
Battalion was held at Courtroom No. 4, in
Courthouse, Sept. 8. The company that was
member of from first to last, and of which I
most particularly speak, was known as Co. ],
5th Iowa Cav, and Co. b, Bracketfs Battalion.
MINI. Cav. 1t consisted of 169 men, or rather
men and Ooys, who served at different times.
There were found on calling the roll 80 pres
ent out of 79 yet living. To be present at this
Reunion these IS grizzled old coffee. coolers had
come from eight different States The young
est member living is 40, and the oldest men,
berthe negro cook of the company-is over
30 years of age. There was group picture
taken of these men, % in number, and it is
good one, which will be highly priced by those
members OF this famous CONF pauy, and their
children when they are finally mustered out.
Another peculiar feature of this Reunion
was that the officers Of this company who were
there at the muster -out-Capt. j. A. Reed.
HSe Alcut. 0eO. Dc OOnVorS, SccOnO Lieut.. m.
+. Fall, Orderly-Sergeant Z. J. Kelley, Com
missary-Sergeant, bugler, and blacksmths-
are yet living, and with what is left of the en-
listed men would make very good company
now, after over 80 years of civilian life, and
venture to say would put up good showing
now, If necessary, and called upon to defend Old
Glory once more against any foe that would
dare insult it or try to haul it down. On call
ing the original roll and comparing notes. it
was found that the survivors Of this company
are residents of II different States. and good
many were, or had been, quite prominent in
public affairs since the war closed. There are
ex- members of Legislatures, State
and County officers, and prominent business
men among them, without counting; and none
who is not as good civilian as he was . SOL
dier in the time of our country's need. / say
three cheers for the survivors of Co. j, 5th
Iowa Cav, and Co. B, Bracketts Battalion,
MINI. Cav.
l would like to see the reports Of the Re-
unions of Co.'S A. G. and d, of their battles, or,
for that matter, Of any companies that were
present with as many members as this COM
pany.-WM. SEEGER, 1921 Sims street, st. Paul,
Mimi.