The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-24
REUNION OF VETERANS OF WAR

and about the swamps of the Chicka-
hominy, the terrible battle of Fair oaks,
the Seven Days battle, etc, thence to
South Carolina, under the torrid sun
and the burning sands of Morris Island,
performing double duty by day and by
night, for many months under the con-
centrated fire from Fort Sumter, John
son, Moultrie, Wagner, Gregg and many
other batteries in Charleston harbor 1t
seems more like a dream than reality
that so many of us after such terrible
trials Of endurance, still survive and are
able to respond to roll call once year.
Perhaps It is because some of us are
living on the fat of the land with a pen
sion of SO per month.
Comrades, your cooperation and per-
sistent hammering at Fort Sumter finally
gave good results; its fire slackened and
then ceased entirely, and to all appear
ance 1t seemed to be abandoned. Then It
was F'eb. is, 1861 that a detachment of
the Fifty-second with a boats crew start
ed from Morris Island to reconnoiter and
1t was found to be evacuated.
Immediately the stars and stripes were
unfurled over tie rims and our oil regi-
ment has the undisputed honor of placing
the first United States flag over Fort
Sumter and Charleston after its evacua-
tion. That same flag has been in our
possession ever since and will be on
exhibition at the camp fire tonight.
Sumter redeemed and the old flag re-
stored is what we sought. That being at
tained, Lees surrender soon followed,
and you Boys in Blue" went marching
home with victory inscribed upon your
banners
Comrades, our pleasant reunions are
not held for the purpose of boastng of
the achievements of the old Fifty-second.
We had plain, simple duty to perform
and 1t was performed faithfully. You
were conspicuously devoted to duty from
'6l to 49, in every situation no matter
what the danger or hardships involved.
You proved yourselves worthy of the
trust imposed upon you. The advancing
years admonish us that our membership
is rapidly growing less. Nine of our
comrades have passed from our sight
since our last reunion, never to be seen
again by us till we in turn meet them
on the eternal camping ground. When
that time comes, as come II will, let us
ore and all hope to be in good standing
and entitled to the password that will
safely land us on the other shore.
The song, 1--WE Are the Boys, the
Gay Old Boys, Who Marched in '61,"
was sung by Philip Thomas, of Provi-
dence, the veterans assisting in the
chorus.
Secretary and Treasurer Miller then
read the minutes of last years meet
ing at Lock Haven. He also presented
his reports as secretary and treasurer.
The reports were as follows:
sECRETAkY's REPORT.
To the Survivors of the Fifty-Second
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, In
fantry; Comrades:
l respectfully submit the following:
John Kinney date Company d., care of
Samuel Kinney, Wilkes Barre, Pa, who
was taken prisoner July 3. 1864, on James
Island, s. c., in the attack made on Fort
johnson, was sent to Andcrsonvilhe, Ca,
AMI Salisbury, n. c., prisons. He wishes
comrades who We're with him to corre-
spond with him, with a view of obtaining
theif affidavit to prove his pension claim.
Also, David Williams, late Company J,
South quincy, Mass. who was also taken
prisoner at the same time, is looking for
comrades who were with him In Charles
ton, S. c., Jail, where one James Young
(aIso cf Company u, while 2cram ;! lg for
mush which was thrown on the ground
kicked him in The face and broke his nose
from which he is still suffering. He also
wants affidavits to perfect and prove his
pension claim.
1t is also with sorrow I announce the
death of the following comrades who have
answered their last roll call, and | sug-
gest proper resolutions be drawn up, a
copy of which be sent to the respective
families:
January IS, 1897, Daniel p. Beach. Com
pany r, East Smithfield, Pa; Robert NJ.
Stevens, Company A, Shickshinny. Pa.
January, 4, 1891, William A. Sober, Com
pany ID, Sunbury, Pa; Daniel Thompson,
Company b. December 10, 1896, John Rodi-
mer, Company II, Moscow, Pa. March 2S,
1897, George Wilder, Company II, Scran-
ton, Pa; Frank Early, Company |, Scran-
ton, Pa. September 6. 1897, Charles b. SUIT
ton, band, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. May IS, 1897,
George c. Curnes, Company G, Lock
Haven, Pa.
SECRETARY'S INSTRUCTIONS.
All survivors, Fifty-second regiment,
Pennsylvania volunteers, whose address
is known, will receive papers containing
the proceedings Of the tenth reunion. At
tention is called to the resolution provid-
ing payment of one dollar each year for
dues. The bronze bandge adopted by the
association for the survivors will be sent
on receipt of 50 cents postpaid. Address
all orders and communications to II. c,
Miller, Kingston, Luzerne county, Pa.
Respectfully submitted.