The Washington herald., 1909-03-14
Second Army Corps Holds
Banquet at RauScher'S.
GEN. HANCOCKs LETTER READ
Soldiers OF Civil War Thrilled by
Speeches Reviewing scenes OF Bat
Was Blessing, Preserving National
Capital and Giving Liberty to All.


ed. The spirit that conquered at Gettys-
burg has not been tanned.
Life is not "a tale that is told" Cor
these veterans. and the old exploits stin
thrill their hearts. They are fresh and
boyish in spirit. exultant in the gratitude |
of a nation, proud Of their achievements. /
The supreme satisfaction is given them
Of knowing how high they rank in
great host Of brave men-the second corps
was almost the leader in the army that
finally caught Richmond in a death
clutch.
Letter to Gen. Grant.
Gen. Grant received this letter from
Gen. Hancock during the operations be /
fore Petersburg in 1864:
1t is, perhaps. known TO you that
this corps has never lost a gun or color
previous to this campaign. though oftener
and more desperately engaged than any
other corps in this army, or. perhaps, In
any Of the Union. I have not the means
Of knowing exactly the number OF guns
or coiOrs captured. but I myself saw nine
IN the hands of one division at Antietam.
and the official reports show that thirty
four fell into the hands OF that corps at
Gettysburg
Before the opening OF this campaign
IL had at least captured over 500 colors.
although at a cost Of $500 casualties. /
During this campaign you can judge how
well the corps has performed its part. II
| has captured more guns and colors than
all the rest OF the army combined. The
/ reverses have not been many. and they
began only when the corps had dwindled
I 20 a fraction Of its former strength, after
/ it had lost . brigade commanders. Is
regimental commanders, and 5000 men"
As the records Of the Second Army
Corps was unprecedented IN the history
I Of that war" said Gen. Miles. who read
Z Gen HancOck's letter. Its actual num-
I Der OF killed and wounded exceeded that
/ OF any other corps. II also lost the larg-
/ est percentage OF killed and wounded in
/ any single engagement Its history is one
Of the most splendid chapters OF the civil
war.
THE strongest bond OF comradeship 10
be found in the world is that among the
veterans of the civil war. II Is endear-
/ ing and fraternal as II the experience OF
/ facing shot and shell. shoulder 20 shout
der. had brought their souls into sacred
| communion.
! Our Beautiful City.
we have lived long enough 10 know
that those who fought against. US realize
/ that our success was a blessing. In
years to come our land will probably
! shelter S0.000.000. with greater liberty.
greater prosperity. and greater happiness
than any other nation Of the earth. Wash
/ ington Is surely the most beautiful city
in the world. the splendid Capital. OF the
/ country. and symbol OF its greatness.
! Surely you. veterans OF the Second Army
] Corps. VIII be blessed by those who live
in your own time and in the time that
l is 70 come"
The words OF Gen Miles about the
National Capital" said Commissioner
Mcfarland. are peculiarly appropriate
on this occasion. because there would be
/ no National Capital II the Army Of the
\ Potomac had not fought to save the
/ Union That Washington is destined 20
! represent the union OF the North and
] South, 10 become a truly national capital
( in every sense OF the word, the center OF
/ our life. Is assured"
! Commissioner mcfarland concluded by
paying tribute 10 DR.. William Tindal.
who is president Of the Second Army
Corps Association. and executive secre-
| tary Of the District government. He has
served Washington faithfully. Loyalty.
and intelligently for years" declared the
/ Commissioners, and has been the servant
Of all the people. doing the things for
! which others got the credit"
/ Justice David L Brewer. OF the Su-
preme Court. extolled the devotion Of the
Union armies. and vivihed his address
with the old war slogan, We are com
ing. Father Abraham; we are coming"
He told of the review Of the troops In
Washington after the war, and inter
preted the meaning OF the conflict in the
light Of future developments
Gave Graphic Portrayal.
Joseph T. Du Bots made a graphic YER
bal sketch Of the personality Of Lincoln.
AMI showed what a vital force his divine
patience" proved to be in saving the
Union. Former Senator John L. Thurston
spoke in similar spirit. declaring that the
/ heroic figure OF Grant viii survive. even
after the names of Caesar and Napoleon
perish.
Gen. John c. Black and Gen. George B.
Davis brought the white-haired. warriors
back 10 the days Of their youth with
"reminiscences HumOr and pathos were
equally mingled. Maj. r. W. Tyler, John
Finn. and Col Charles Lyman also spoke
in tribute 10 the corps
President William Tindall was in the
chair. At his right was Gen. Miles. and
/ al his left Gen Bates The banquet hall
was flooded with light and color. Above
the center Of the speakers table was the
| emblem OF the corps, a scarlet shamrock.
| brilliantly studded with incandescents.
Draping the balconies were the signal
flags and various banners Of the reei-
ments. The red. white and blue was
everywhere-hags that flashed brightly in
the light
Il The reception committee was composed
of II q Mlnnru 4
and Nal George A. Armes. Regrets
were sent by Vice President Sherman,
w. II. Seward. son Of Secretary of State
Seward. OF Lincoln's Cabinet. and Gen
c c MacDougall, United States marshal
for the Northern district Of New York
Tribute to the Dead.
Since the last banquet Franklin T.
Howe and Dc Witt c. Sprague have Joined
their comrades IN death, and tribute was
paid TO them last night
'Au revoir." and For fits always fair
weather when good fellows get togeth-
II er," was the spirit in which the ban
Queters dispersed. Although the ranks
are thinning from year TO year. the old
spirit burns as brightly as ever.
The Invited Guests.
Following is a list of the invited guests:
Col. George a Armes. Gen. james y. Aleshire
Judge Anderson. Alexander II. Bell. T. w. Bradley
n. c. Bradley Mai \. NJ Brooks Justice ID, ]
Brewer. Hon. Harry Bingham. Gen. John C. Bates
Gen. John C. Black. Maj. J. NJ Carson. Con,ris-
sioner Cosby. Hon. J. 7. Du Bots. Judge DeaDe
Gen. George r. Davis. Capt ". W. Davis, H b
Davis. John Joy Edison. Col. A. NJ. Embler. Cant
A. Ebert. John Finn. Mr.. Finn. d. L. GANGS. Mr.
Coodspeed. Maj HOag. Gen G T. Humphrey Ad-
niral Hichborn. Mai W. p Huxford Cart T. q
HOPKINS. Maj. J. r Hayes. Capt. ". r. HilIyer.
Arrfn Tr1 (fc7 Uarrur - Il
Hawkes.. Capt. Theodore Horn. Gen Johnston can't
.l d. A Iohns-on. Hvland q. kirk a -