Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-08
THE FIFTH CORPS.

most suffering occurred were Anderson
Vile, Libby, Belle Is,e Florence and Sails
bury.
THE FIFTH CORPS.
Enthusiastic Assemblage in Sheridan
Tent Last Night.
The grand old 5th Army Corps held a
most enthusiastic reunion in Sheridan tent.
in the White lot. last night. There was a
good attendance of the old soldiers and
their friends, and many hearty greetings
were exchanged between veteran comrades.
who had only met at long intervals since
they tramped and fought and camped to-
gether in the days which tried mems
souls"
Comrade George E. Corson. chairman Of
the Washington 9Th Corps Association. pre-
sided, and stirring speeches were made by
Brew Maj. Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain Of
Portland, Me; Mr.. w. E. Andrews. auditor
Gen. Henry G. Merriam, L. 8. A.. retired.
There was plenty of good, patriotic music.
and the audience Joined in singing the
many familiar wartime songs on the pro-
gram The music was well rendered by
Miss Jessie Cowlings orchestra and the
Burnside Octet, composed Of Messrs. B. w.
Beebe w: G: Penny. H. F. Smith. J. L.
Houchen L. P. Seibo.d R. D. Gardner D.
H. Clark. A. A. Rowley. Mrs. Everett E.
Stacey presided at the piano. The program
Of music included THE Stars and Stripes"
''Tenting on the Old Camp Ground" Amer
Blue" Marching Through Georgia" "Raily
Round the Flag" and other battle songs.
Among the ladies on the platform was
daughter of General Sykes, former COM
mander Of the corps.
Welcoming Address.
After the sounding of assembly" the
members of the corps and their families and
friends were cordially welcomed to the ma.
tional capital by Comrade George E. Cor.
son. chairman Of the Washington 9Th Corps
Association, who took occasion to pay
high tribute to the corps and its command
ers. Fitz John Porter. Hooker Meade But
terrified. Sykes. Griffin and Warren. He de-
clared that the corps would go down to his
tory as the greatest. most valiant and cour-
ageous Of any that took part in the war of
the rebellion. All the corps commanders
have passed away, he said. but their MEM
DRY will live forever. The mention of the
name of Warren in particular provoked
cheers and enthusiasm. The speaker said
that the 9Th Corps had won distinction In
every battle in which the Army Of the
Potomac had engaged. He instanced the
battle Of Gaines Mills as one in which the
9TH Corps had alone successfully engaged
the confederate troops. under Lee and
Lengstreet.
In the absence of Rev. Dr. Asa A. Fiske
the invocation was delivered by Rev John
H. Stuntz of California, who served In the
corps with the 10th Pennsylvania Infantry.
Only Living Commander.
Gen. Chamberlain was introduced as the
only living division commander Of the 9Th
Corps. He was greeted with cheers, and
made an able and conservative address, in
which he briefly but proudly recited the
history and achievements of the corps. He
referred particularly to the New York
Zouaves (who were he said called the "red
legged devils'), the Pennsylvania reserves
and the regular troops. who formed the
backbone of the organization. The corps
was recruited from many states including
Maryland and the District of Columbia and
the speaker remarked parenthetically: you
people Of the District cannot vote but you
certainly behave we'll" Gen. Chamberlain
said the 5th Corps had the great advantage
of the presence of the regulars and an un-
usual share Of competent and experienced
commanders. Mcclellan gave 1t precedence
and had referred to Porters command as a
model to the army. The speaker gave Nc
Clellan credit for the organizatio morale
and prestige of the corps, and said the men
were attached to him true and loyal
commander. The 9Th Corps had been I'M
fortunate In exciting jealousy among other
corps. and some Of its commanders had
suffered in consequence. but the corps. the
speaker proudly declared, had never fall
tered in Its fidelity and devotion to its duty
~ government anu Ills nag.
The corps had suffered seriously on the
field of battle, but the character and deeds
Of the old organize ton will live forever and
be emblazoned in the history of the coun-
try.
Principal Address.
Auditor Andrews made the PRINCIPAL
speech Of the evening. and his eloauence
and patriotic sentiments aroused the old
soldiers to a high pitch Of fervor and en-
thusiasm. Being introduced as a man who
would have been member of the 9Th Corps
If he had been born in time Mr. Andrews
said he greeted the soldiers of the civil war
as the benefactors of himself. of his coun-
try and of modern civilization. They had
fought to preserve the Union and to protect
American institutions, and had consecrated
their lives and fortunes to that grand cause
Their services had received the intelligent
approval Of American citizenship and Of
the world, and were worthy Of the best
thought and imitation. The speaker eIo-
quently portrayed the noble characteristics
OF the typical American soldier. and said
he had no peer or equal in self -sa crifice and
patriotism In the history of the world. The
men of 1881 1886 had bravely and promptly
responded to their country's call and had
gone forth to save the Constitution of their
fathers and the stars and stripes of the
Union. The sacrifices they made, the pa
triotism they showed and the valor they
displayed on the field Of battle had never
been surpassed IN the history OF nations.
They had responded to Lncoln's call for
troops, and. despite ali cavil and criticism,
were strong enough and brave enough to
crush out rebellion and to save the Union.
As an instance of the patriotism of the
boys IN blue the speaker said that notwfth-.
standing the horror Of the southern prisons.
they spurned the invitation of the enemy to
forsake 'old glory" even for the sake of
liberty and life. Their loyalty to their flag
and their country, the speaker declared.
was unparalleled in the annals of the world.
and behind them all in their fardships and
trials was the noble. loyal heart of Presi-
dent Lincoln. The Grand Army Of the Re-
public had done splendid work in uphold
ing the Constitution and the flag. and they
owed 1t to themselves and their country TO
see that the 26.000. 900 school children In the
United States re~taught the truth of his
tory especially regarding the causes and
results of the civil war This sentiment
evoked much applause
Pride Of Ownership.
1t was natural for the soldiers Of the
sixties, said the speaker, to say while
In this city. This Is my country. or,
pointing to the great dome ON the hill,
THAT is my Capitol When he heard these
remarks he always felt like saying God
4,1aeu xoa, an 4 lc skA ean4ro1i{an anuff-