The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-09-20
REUNION OF SIXTY
NINTH A SUCCESS
Attendance Was Larger Than
On Any Previous Gather
ina of Members.
OLD OFFICERS RETAINED.
EX-GOVERNOR DURBiN DElIV-
Erred AN ADDRESS AND MAJOR
LACEY TOLD ABOUT BATTLES
IF THE REGIMENT

Men who had not seen each other
since they left the bloody battlefields
of the civil war, were united once more
by the bonds of friendship, not militant
law, at the twenty-seyenth annual reun-
ion of the Goth Indiana regiment held
at Fountain City Thursday afternoon
and evening. Several Of the eighty
seven gray-haired civil war veterans
attended the reunion for the first time
Thursday. One of these, John Bodkin,
of Missouri. came all the way from his
home that he might once more renew
old friendships. first started on the bat
tlefields Of the war of the rebellion.
The attendance at the reunion was
larger than in any past year.
The reunion this year was featured
by the address of Ex-Governor Winfield
T. Durbin of Anderson. himself civil
war veteran. and also a colonel in the
Spanish American war Mr. Durbin.
in his short address at the campfire,
which was held in the town hall Thurs
day night, paid high tribute to the
members of the sixty ninth regiment.
who had fought so valiantly for the
cause. He Landed the efforts of the
union soldiers in their effort to sustain
the union.
At the business session of the regi-
ment Thursday afternoon. Col Oran
Perry of indianapolis. was retained as
president of the regimental organiza-
tion, while Major NJ. NJ. Lacy was re-
tanned as secretary. Mr.. Harter was
elected chaplain For the first time
since the reunions were begun. Chap
lain Harter was absent.
Major Lacey of Fountain City
Thursday night reviewed the cam
paign in which this regiment partici-
pated, and particularly the engage
ment at Blakelvf Ala, about twelve
miles from Mobile, in which twelve
members of the regiment under the
leadership of Lieutenant Huston BRAY
ed untold dangers to save the lives
of suffering men behind vacated
Confederate intrenchment. The front
of the intrenchment was guarded by
numerous and danger Gus torpedoes
placed there to protect the troops be-
hind. After Lee surrendered to Grant
the Confederates vacated the intren-
chment, leaving their injured behind.
These the twelve men intended TO
rescue, but only did so after several
had been hurt by torpedoes. Then
Mai. Lacey ordered the Confederate
general to detail a detachment of his
troops to aid in removing the deadly
torpedoes at the penalty of death if
they did not do so. Eight of the twel-
We men who participated in this res
cue were present at the reunion at
Fountain City Thursday.
One of the features of the camp fire
Thursday night was the excellent mu-
sic rendered by choir selected for
the occasion and numerous soloists.
The singing of Miss Jewett was we'll
received and she was encored three
times. Roy Lacey, a Fountain City
young man. also contributed three
very beautiful vocal selections Miss
Grace Brennon presided at the piano.
The Rev. Zerbe, pastor of the Nj. h.
church at Fountain City, delivered the
welcoming address while Major Lacey
delivered the response.
The next reunion will be held at
Centerville next September. The date
has not yet been set.
Many of the veterans remained in
Fountain City over night. Others
coming a long distance returned
Thursday night. The reunion as
whole was one of the best ever held
by the regiment. The meals, dinner
and supper, were furnished by the
Aid society of the Christian church.