The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-09-04
STORY OF THE SOCIETY
or tho Army OF West yIrg,nla-Formed
In 1870 ut MonndsvIlle.

ia 1870 at MonndsvIlle.
The Society of the Army OF West Vlr-
ginia as permanent organization was
formed at Moundsville at the general
reunion OF the soldiers on September
% and g. 1870, Captains C. j. Rawllng
and r, H. Cochran, Major NJ. W. Burt
and Basil T. Bowers, Of New Martins
Vile, and Daniel Albert, of Wheeling,
constituting the committee on consttu-
lion and bylaws and General r. b.
Kelly acting as temporary president,
The second meeting was held at Wheel
ing on October 10, 1871, at which time
permanent organization was effected,
and upon the acceptance of the COM
mittee's report, with General George
Crook, one OF the commanders of the
Army of West Virginia, elected pves.-
dent OF the society. Following this re-
union others We're held in consecutive
years at Marietta, o., 1879; Parkers-
kersburg, 1882; Ironton, o., 1888; Cum
berland Nd, 1884; Portsmouth, o., 1885;
Portsmouth, 1856, In the latter meeting
General Crook presiding for the first
time since his election, having in the
meantime been engaged in active SER
vice in the southwest, General r. b.
Hayes serving continually in his stead.
Wheeling, 1857, Columbus, September,
1883, in connection with the national en-
campment of the G. A. r.: Columbus,
1889, which was practical failure
through lack Of systematic preparation:
Parkersburg. September, 1890 with
General Il. b. Hayes and General w.
II. Powell presiding, General Crook
1. A
ing General Hayes waJ elected presi-
dent to succeed the late president, Cen
eral Crook; Huntington, w. Va, Sep
TENDER, 1891: Washington, d. c., 1892,
In connection with the national en-
campment of the G. A. r. In 1893 re-
union had been planned at indianapolis
in connection with the national en-
campment OF the G, 4. H. but the
great distance, coupled with the fact
that General Hayes had but recently
died, discouraged the movement and
nothing resulted.
At the eighteenth meeting at Ironton,
o., in August. 1884, General W. II. Pow
ell was elected president. succeeding
the late ex-presldent. This meeting
was additionally important, says the
Columbus Journal, by reason OF the
adoption Of q new ruling as to the plan
OF holding future reunions. The mini
teenth reunion was held at Middlepot,
o., in September, 1895, where great ~
vlval of enthusiasm was especially nd
ticeable. The last reunion. In 1896. was
at Gatfipofis, o., where an attendance
OF 1900 people was registered.
This. In brief, Is the history OF the
society's accomplishments. The reaU
membership Is not known, as the reC-
ords OF former meetings have all been
mislald and no roll has been kept, APP
parently, for several years. At the
coming reunion a register viii be kept
Of all who attend, and In this way,
coupled with the Individual efforts of
the members, II is hoped that by the
next meeting a fairly comprehensive
idea may be enjoyed OF the real extent
of the society In both West Virginia
and Ohio. The present roll OF officers
are all exhibiting a commendable inter-
est and activity In the work OF putting
the value OF the society before the re-
naming veterans and the hope Is con-
fldently expressed that despite the raw
ages OF time upon the thinning ranks of
the old soldiers. the ensuing year Will
note growth in the ranks OF the 80
olcty that will surpass all former show
ings Colonel r. H. Hlesc, the present
secretary, Ia an exceptionally active
WOTktT unu lHt buNtfbb VI INC COMING
event will TO no small degree rest upon
his shoulders and be entirely due to his
untirlng perseverance, In arranging the
preliminary details. II IL hoped that
the occasion Will be one OF the grGatest
In the Boclety's past history, and the
assurance OF the presence Of the aged
president, General Powell, viii add
VASTLY TO the general Interest with all
those mombrs of the society that have
heretofore displayed amy particular zenl
In furthorlng tho CnuHo OF the organl2a-
ton. M the number Of surviving vet
Grams decreases, the bond Of aympnthct-
10 union grows stronger and no II has
proven for several years, the official re-
ports Of the recent reunions being unan-
imOuHly 20 this assurance. For this rpn-
ron and to perpotuatc the society 10 the
very end OF tho existence Of the veteran
survivors Of the Army or West Virginia
IN all future meetings. ms vol nB during
the Intervals. the society members Will
oKort every effort and influence to get
into line those NJ the old soldiers who,
through lack of social interest, latent
loyalty, or financial fnlllnga, have per-
sisted In ignoring the hearty call Of
COmradoHhlp throughout All thoac swift.
ilylnR years. that nt some future day
the entire surviving forces NJ tho Army
" West Virginia may once ngnln gather
In final rendezvous ore they nll 10
down 20 register their last and eternal
fOtf calf I'm ihN btVUtiag OF InU upnd