The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-06-12
The Battalion Meeting.

Shiawassee river has flowed by Caledonia
Park very peacefully of late, but its hurry
ing waters must have been unusually stirred
yesterday when the park was taken posses
sion of by the Shiawassee county battalion
and their families, who partook of bounti-
full picnic dinner and told war stories to
their hearts content.
The afternoon meeting was called to order
at $50 o'clock by Col. A. b. Crane, of Rush,
and fervent prayer was offered by Chap
lain Henry King. Thedrum corps rendered
thrilling selection which seemed to rouse
the old soldiers to feeling akin to early
manhood.
Comrade II. Ii. Pulver said that the Col
onePs 1attering introduction and the hospi-
talty of the people he fell Ia with conspired
to spoil speech making on his part. He
didn't dare to talk politics and didn't wish
to be personal. He was living over the
past and could not help thinking of the time
when as sentinel on the banks of the Rap
idan he had seen Grants army cross, with
determination in their faces and tread.
They were going to win. Then came the
| Wilderness where 10000 men laid down
their lives; Spottsylvania, Bloody Angle,
North Anna, Cold Harbor and Petersburg.
with al! their attending horrors of war. He
related some amusing incidents and turned
the laugh on comrade E. l.. Brewer who
was left to explain his decision as to the
gender of rebel prisoner captured at North
Anna.
Comrade M. w. Willoughby sang song
"The Veteran Volunteer" which was loud
ly applauded.
Col. j. Ii. Moyses said that being colonel
of the battalion was the highest honor he
had ever held. We are living in perilous
times; our troubles are politics and cyclones.
We don't know very much about cyclones
and as to politics, well-we couldn't tell
much more as to what candidates are ahead.
The boys were there for day off and to
tell stories. In conclusion he sang "Auld
Lang Syne" adding verse which was, he
said, original like himself:
Here's to Bliss, Plngree and O'Donnell on the
right,
With Linton too, and Fitzpatrick in the line.
Wen ne'er forget
When first We met,
For the sake of Aud Lang Syne.
The colonel's song was loudly applauded.
After selection by the drum corps little
Edith Fish recited "An Old Soldiers Bugle'
in taking manner.
Comrade E. l.. Brewer said, "Boys of '61
to '65 we meet not as of yore but to think OF
those days when we saved the flag" he
recalled the return of the ambulauces from
the Wilderness and knew something of the
horrors of the war but the boys had lots OF
fun. He belonged to the cavalry whose
business it was to go in and stir 'em up and
then let the infantry go in and finish the
Job. Did the cavalry steal? Well, they
didn't starye. His company was called the
Turkey company after one foraging party
brought them back hundred turkeys. He
related little skirmish with Mosby and
how even the chaplain commended his order
to fire when he said "Boys, give 'em-.'
The ''boys" In the audience didn't need tt
be told what. He paid glowing and low
ing tribute to General Custer, who captured
the cannon from which the G. A. r. buttons
are made. The origin of all the society but
tons now worn was the G. A. r. button
| The speaker closed by reading letter from
James McElroy, late Capt First West Va
Vol. Infantry in which he writes of the g.
! A. II. button.
| Comrade willoughby sang comic song
| after which Rev. Henry King spoke. OH