The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-20
OLD VETERANS DAY
THE REUNIONS OF MANY INDIANA
REGIMENTS HELD.
The Courthouse Presented n Martial
Air Throughout the En-
tire Day.
BATTLES FOUGHT OVER AGAIN
OFFICERS ELECTED By THE REGI-
MENTAL ASSOCIATIONS.
The Roll Call showed Many Deaths
Since Last Year-Proceed-
ings in Detail.

entirely turned over TO the old soldiers for
their reunions. All day long veterans came
and went. hating each other here and
there as they recognized an old comrade
behind a grizzled beard. shook hands and
exchanged greetings. All wore the little
bronze button on the lapel of their coats,
and many designated their regiments with
souvenir badges and ribbons. Above the
hum of voices in the Railways arose the
tones of veterans addressing the little as
semblages in the various courtrooms. brok-
en- frequently with applause. and the clear
notes of a bugle frequently reverberating
through the corridors gave the whole in
terror of the building an air of impressive
and patriotic solemnity.
Strikingly contrasted with the well-pre-
served soldier whose hair had just been
touched with the first silvery token OF hon.
or, stood the hoary-headed veteran, the
thin white locks and deep furrowed brow
telling the story of a duty we'll done. Some
still retained the martial air of a warrior
with shoulders and head well set and body
erect, but more physiques had succumbed
to hardships Of the battlefield and priva-
tons Of campaigning and were bent by the
rigorous life that had followed. Not infre-
quently did comrades meet for the first
time since they shared their bunk and
mess together on the field of battle, and
ike glee. Amusing incidents that took place
on foraging expeditions were recalled.
darkened occasionally by sad recollections
of Andersonville and Libby.
NINETY-NINTH INDIANA.
The largest regimental reunion held in
the courthouse was that of the Ninety
ninth Indiana Infantry In the Criminal
Court room There were seventy-six MEM
bers present out of 325 Of the regiment still
living. The representation was above the
average, when ii Is taken into consider
alton that the regiment is scattered from
the Canadian boundary TO the Gulf of
Mexico. and from the Atlantic TO the Paci-
fic. The attendance from distant points
especially marked the meeting, members
OF the regiment being present from Texas,
New Mexico, Kansas, Southern and East
ern States. Among the veterans was Ira
ST. Johns, Nova Scotia. DR.. ID. II. Lucas,
former pastor OF the Central Christian
Church, of this city. who was elected
president and secretary OF the regiment for
life, ten years ago. presided. The. Regi-
mental Association is organized differently
from others, vice president being elected
Tor each company. The vice presidents are:
Company A. Matthias Boney. of Crown
Point; Company b, Captain i. A. Curry, of
Greenfield; Company c, Henry w. Wise, of
Farrar, of Peru: Company e. George o.
Humphrey, of Rensselaer,; Company F.
Captain Andrew Cochran. of Brookstown:
Danville; Company III. Major ]. b. Homan.
of Danville; Company /. Captain Ira b.
Myers, OF Peru: Company X, Orlando
Powell, of Logansport.
The meeting was addressed by many
members of the regiment and the after
noon was spent in reciting interesting
events that occurred during the war.
THE CAMPFIRE.
Chaplain ID. r. Lucas at the campfire
of the Ninety-ninth Indiana Regiment in
the Criminal Court room last night made
a very eloquent and patriotic address and
was frequently and heartily applauded.
You can never convince me tina. a man
fighting for human slavery can be as brave
and as true and light-hearted as man
who Is fighting for freedom" he said
mot long since 1 saw General Joe Wheeler
In blue uniform under the United States
flag and felt like saying Now Lord, let
Thy servant depart in peace, for I have
seen the glory of God in a reunited coun-
try Our country is strong to-day. not
because OF Its Constitution, but because the
boys in blue proved that a rebel could be
killed In a republic just as we'll as in an
~
has politics that does not agree with that
sentiment has no politics at all, but trea-
son.
About sixty of the old comrades were
present last night and all seemed to- thor
oughly enjoy themselves. The sight of their
regimental flag and of a banner telling of
the battles fought and won by the regiment
seemed to inspire the different speakers to
fervent eloquence. Brief addresses were
delivered by Hiram Barton, of Company A;
"A. j. Clayton. of Company d; George A
Stevenson, of Company f: 3. r. Johnson
of Company III; Captain Ira b. Myers. of
Company ], also United States consul to
St John. New Brunswick Orlando Powell
OF Company X, and George S. Walker. of
Company f. Songs were sung by Comrades
Mcintosh and Walker, and Mr. Mcintosh
also gave some of the army bugle calls on
an old bugle. which. he said. was carried
through the Mexican and civil wars. Cap
tain Myers created great deal of en-
thusiasm when he said, Let us follow the
American flag and bear 1T to victory in
every land and in every Cline The camp
fire lasted until a late hour and as the
veterans filed out of the courthouse they
agreed among themselves TO maintain the
pleasant custom so long as enough of them
survive to hold a campfire.