Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 November 1883 — OLD COMRADES MEET AGAIN. [ARTICLE]

OLD COMRADES MEET AGAIN.

Successful Reunion at Cincinnati of the Army of the Cumberland. Gens. Sheridan, Rosecrans, and Other Noted Warriors Present. rCincinnati Telegram J The reunion of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland commenced with a march of the members, headed by its President, Gen. Sheridan, and a band, from the Burnett house to the Grand opera-house, where a business session was held. Accompanying Gen. Sheridan wore Gens. Rosecrans, Wood, Logan, Newton, Mussey, Carlin, Morgan, Kimball and Parkhurst. Tho President called the meeting to order,' and Chaplain Earnshaw offered prayer. It was decided that a sketch of the late Gen. Steedman, who was not a member of the society, be published in the annual record. The Treasurer’s report showed a balance in hand of $lO7. He also said that many members were delinquent, their whereabouts being unknown. Committees were appointed and invitations accepted from several clubs, and the society adjourned. In the evening they marched to Music hall alone, the local military organizations which were to have escorted them failing to turn up. An audience of fully 2,000 was already in the hall when the society marched In, The stage and walls were beautifully decorated, flags, stacks of arms, tents and cannon being scattered around in profusion. Gen. Cist called the meeting to order and Introduced Gov. Foster, who welcomed the society. His references to the numerous distinguished military men present called forth loud applause, upon which Gen. Sheridan, with mock sternness, called for order. Gen. Smith D. Atkins was then introduced as the orator of the evening. A reunion of soldiers, said the speaker, does everyone good. The stories told by the gray-haired veterans are , incentives to youthful patriotism, and childish hearts burn with awakened love of country, and cheeks flush with desire of emulation, when they hear the fathers and grandsires reciting their warlike deeds and telling how they left home and families to bear privation and peril in defense of a common country. Aug. 15, 1861, continued the orator, Gen. Robert Anderson, “tho hero of Sumter,” organized the Army of the Cumberland. His department comprised Kentucky and Tennessee, but those States were neutral then, and the headquarters were established at Cincinnati. Don Carlos Buel was its first commander, and at Mill Springs was won the first decisive victory for the Union cause by Gen. Thomas and a portion of the Cumberland corps. At Shiloh, April 6, 1862, the armies had been fighting all one day, and step by step the Federal forces ware being driven back, when Gen. Buell led the army of the Cumberland upon the fldld and saved the day. Then came the race to Louisville, and Buell beat Bragg into the city, which was the “miss” of the campaign. Then Gen. Rosecrans took command, and the victories of Stone river, Murfreesboro, Tullahoma and Chattanooga were achieved by his corps. At Cbickamauga they met with defeat, owing to the faint-heartedness of the right wing; but it was atoned for at Missionary Ridge, when, without orders, they swept Bragg’s center from its strong position. Part of the Army Of the Cumberland went to the sea with Sherman; “and,” concluded the orator, “Gen. George H. Thomas was the hero of the war, and his army was the Army of the Cumberland.” Capt. Millard sang a song of his own composition, written for the occasion, after which Gen. Rosecrans responded to a call in a few words. Gen. John A. Logan was also called out, and said that, though not a member of the Cumberland army, he felt like he was a part of it, owing to the close relationship between It and the Army of the Tennessee. Gen. Barnett, Chairman of the Committee on the Garfield monument, reported that a place had been selected in Washington, but the selection would require an act of Congress to make it final. The committee thought the monument would be completed In time for the reunion of 1885. Capt. Ford reported the accession of 150 new members. The following officers were elected: President, Gen. Phil. H. Sheridan; Corresponding Secretary, Gen. H. M. Cist; Treasurer, Gen. G. S. Fullerton; Recording Secretary, Col. James W. Steele; with Vice Presidents from each .State and Territory represented in the society^ Rochester, N. Y., was selected as the next place of meeting, Sept. 21-22 (Chickamauga week). The society then proceeded, by invitation, to the Chamber of Commerce, where Capt. Foraker, Vice President for Ohio, made an address. President Peabody, of the Chamber of Commerce, responded, and was followed by Gens. Sheridan, Rosecrans, Logan iand others. The closing session consisted of a banquet at Music hall. About 600 sat down to the banquet. Gen. Rosecrans presided. Much satisfaction was expressed at the success of the reunion.