Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 228, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 September 1910 — SIXTY-ONE OF THE 87th GATHER IN ANNUAL REUNION [ARTICLE]

SIXTY-ONE OF THE 87th GATHER IN ANNUAL REUNION

Regiment of Which Edwin P. Hammond Was Colonel, Had Splendid Gathering in Old Rensselaer.

SIXTY-FOUR OTHERS ALSO REGISTERED «* Bis Dinner By the Ladiee, Rule By Band, Camp Fire and Basiness Meeting, All Helped to Hake Grand Saccos. If the very complimentary resolutions adopted by the 87th Indiana veterans can be taken as a guide, the visiting soldiers were very grateful for the reception and entertainment given them and there was such a chorus of “ayes” when Colonel Hammond put the question, which was amended to include all who had participated in « the entertainment that there was no doubt about the full-heartedness with which the motion was passed. The reunion was a, success from every standpoint. There were 61 members of the regiment here and 64 from other regiments were registered, making a total of 125 old soldiers, varying in age from George Morgan, one of the youngeßt of the surviving soldiers of the civil war to John Scively, who was 87 years of age May 14th. Mr. Scively did not belong to the 87th, however, and tT&e oldest attending member of the regiment was Andrew Young, of Valparaiso, who is 82. He is a small man but a wiry and active one and stated that he expected to be on hand for reunions as long as the. are held. Close to him in age are Jonas Young, of Rochester, and Charles Platt, of Rensselaer, each of whom are past 81. The ages of each member of the 87th was taken at the time of registration and are published herewith.

The dinner Thursday was a splendid success. The ladies compesing the auxiliary orders, the Woman’s Relief Corps and the Ladies of the G. A. R., assisted by a number of other patriotic ladies, all under the leadership of Mrs. Abbie Roberts, had prepared a dinner that would look good any place and one veteran remarked, when he saw the large amount of fried chicken, “By Jinks, they must think we’re all preachers.” The dinner was partaken of not by the 87th alone, but by all the veterans of the civil war who were gathered there, about one hundred and fifteen. Unfortunately the coffee arrangements were not the best and there was not sufficient coffee to go round, but this fact did not seriously mar the dinner and the compliments were frequent and enthusiastic. A huge cake baked by direction of the Woman’s Relief Corps by Mrs. T. W. Haus, was presented to the regiment and turned over to Colonel Hammond. This cake furnished a great amount of interest and gave an opportunity for some friendly punning at the camp fire and also at the business meeting when it put in an appearance and was divided among the members of the regiment, some devouring the" dainty morsel and others wrapping their’s in paper and taking, it back to their homes.

After the dinner was completed and Morris Jones, of Brook, had sung “Marching Through Georgia,” the members of the 87th were gathered together and a photograph taken. These were later placed on sale at SO cents each. The afternoon was spent visiting, little knots of the comrades getting together, some for the first time in many yeare and some who are tegular attendants at the reunions, still finding many incidents of their long service together that it was good to recall and discuss. number of the comrades had in their pockets tin-' type photographs taken at or near the time they entered the service. When another comrade could not recall them from their present appearance, the little tintype would be produced, show-

ing a vigorous young man, in rugged health, the kind of citizenship that made up the wonderful army of the union. The picture would bring back to mind the last time they had met, and there would ensue a rehearsal of the army life. It was no disappointment that there was no program for the afternoon. The boys found plenty to do and It was a hearty and wholesome afternoon. The boys’ band In the evening and practically every member of the 87th was on hand for the camp fire, which was held at the armory. It wag opened by a song by Morris Jones, who had made new words to old music and whose several contributions were received with much hand clapping.

Rev. J. C. Parrett offered prayer and a quartette composed of Dr. H. L. Brown, James Matheson, C. E. Prior and G. B. Porter sang a patriotic song, “Tenting on the Qld Camp Ground.” Then Attorney George A. Williams delivered an address of welcome, assuring the visiting old soldiers that Rensselaer felt honored at their presence and that the welcome was extended heartily by men, women and children, who appreciated the noble work they had done and were < only too glad to‘ have an opportunity to extend a hand of thankful welcome to them. The response was to have been made by Adjutant Molloy, but he was unable to be here, but had prepared and sent to the secretary, D. H. Yeoman, the response, which was read by Capt. Elam, of Valparaiso. The captain’s voice was tremulous and weak and the address could not be heard all over the hall, and it is here printed in full.

Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen:

I appreciate the honor conferred on me of responding to the welcome addresß, which you have Just heard. I wish that some other comrade had been selected for the important duty, but, as my rule in the army was never to shirk, and always to obey, I assume the pleasant task without the least hesitance. It 1b a pleasure to be welcomed to Rensselaer, add by such an able and eloquent speaker as the gentleman chosen for that purpose. It is a great pleasure, I assure you, to be welcomed to Rensselaer; a place which gave us our beloved Colonel Hammond, where he married his estimable wife; where his charming daughters were born; a place which, with the aid of Jasper county, gave us Co. A, with brave Captain Burnham and other gallant comrades. Rensselaer was always true* to the flag and to the Union, and as a comrade of our noble regiment, I have only words -of praise and appreciation for your beautiful, enterprising, progressive, ’ patriotic and hospitable city. Mr. Williams, I thank you most heartily for your splendid welcome, to my comrades and myself. We love to repeat the story of our Nation’s death struggle. The old story is ever new. You need not be afraid that it will ever grow old. It is too comprehensive for that. It is always new, because it is never repeated. I know those who are not soldiers are prone to think so, hut it’s a mistake. It is said that no two persons ever see the same rainbow, so the more than two million of men who composed the armies of the Union with their four million eyes beheld scenes that will never be recorded in history. Is it safe to say that no two witnessed the same scene? It is said that the history of the late war will never be completely written, for the reason that those from whom the information should be obtained either have passed away, cannot be found, or, if found, will not tell the story, or are not possessed of the ability to impart the coveted information. The men who stood in the skirmish line, or in the battle’s front, could well afford to speak of the attractive war scenes through which they passed.

The historian obtains his information from the government records. These were furnished by officers, who were, as a general thing, more or less in the rear, and they obtained their information from regimental or company commanders. So at best their information was second hand. By getting it from enlisted men it would be received from first hands. The enlisted men sees war in all its hideous nakedness. If he is in it but a short time, he is there long enough to taste tp the dregs the bitter eup, which, in more than one instance, is pressed to his lips. Many a man sees more service In three months than others do in three years. Men are maimed, or captured, or their health is broken down and never afterwards restored. A soldier who dies today in these piping times of peace may as truly lay down his life for his country as if he forfeited It on the battle field, amid ■the shouts of the combatants, and the thunders of red artillery.

Most of the leaders .whom we followed, “The tread of whose bannered armies shook the world,” have preceded us in death as they led us in life. “They have crossed over the river and are resting in shade.” Next to the grand leaders, the men who covered themselves with honor in war, are the private soldiers, the men whose pay is small, whose food is plain, whose clothing bears no marks of rank, who wear no flashing stars or gilded bars, or dashing plumes, who march in the mud and dust, in rainstorm and scorching sun, who lie upon the cold, damp, bare ground, who carry their own victuals and cook them, too; who stand on the lonely picket post at night, between safety and disaster. * Over the graves of the Union dead the North and Scfath clasp hands, political differences are forgotten, and all sections of a united jo. nd harmonl-

ous country vie with each other in doing honor to the Union soldiers, living and dead. We may differ about the tariff, about local option, about pensions, and other questions of public interest, but we are a unit in our belief that the men who died tbat the Nation might live, are deserving of the highest tribute of praise a grateful people can bestow. The hand of time is making great havoc with our numbers. Are you aware that of those who returned from the war in 1865, nearly three-fourths have gone to meet “Upon the shining table-lands, to which our God is moon and sun?” And from now on the ratio of mortality will largely increase each year. “The hands we grasped are quiet now. The lips-once eloquent, are dumb; The hearts once warm, are cold and v numb, And dust lies on each marble brow.” Knowing many of our Nation’s dead as I did, I can truthfully testify to their virtues and their deeds. They were tried in a way that tested to the utmost their true manhood. They were equal to every emergency. They had hearts of gold in bodies of Iron. Neither we nor our sacred dead need fear that they have died in vain. The splendid record of their marvelous deeds will preserve their memories for all time. Men such as they did their duty, and see what has come of it, even in this world. The country can’t do enough for we who survive. It has granted us pensions, it has built splendid homes for us; it has dotted the land, with monuments erected to the dead and living soldiers, and everywhere and at all times has made good the promise which adorned the capital at Washington at the time of the grand review in ’65, to the effect that “the only debt the Nation can never pay is the debt it owes the brave soldiers.” I, oftimes, in my dreams, or waking moments, see the war all over again. In imagination, I see the boys in bine at Hampton Roads, Va., participating '

in that terrible conflict between the gallant little Monitor and the monster Merrimac. I see them in the Seven Days’ battle with McClellan; at Chantilly with the heroic Kearney; at Fredricksburg with Burnside; at Chancellorsville with Hooker, and defending heroically that banner which, borne by manly hands, was always carried high in the thickest of the fight, and that was furled only “When the eagle, whose gaze in our moments of despondency blasted, soared with his fixed on victory’s sun.” “His calm was never broken by the quake shock of battle,” and he catßed the name of the American soldier to be honored throughout the world, rendering it “Fairer than the evening air Clad in the beauty of a thousand stars.” “There’s nothing too good for soldiers Who were loyal and brave and true, If I had my way I would pension them each a dollar a day. ———_

Every veteran who wore the blue, I would give them all the fat offices, Of good things there should be no dearth; And then, if a comrade grumbled, I would tell him to take the earth. If I were a guard at the pearly gates, Where the hosts of Heaven encamp, And a soldier came up without the pass, No matter his rank or stamp, I’d turn on my beat and pretend not to see, Regardless of rules and fines, While the boy in blue as he used to do, Might scoot through the picket lines.” “The neighing troop, the flashing blade, The bugle’s stirring blast, The charge, the dreadful cannonade, The din and shout are past, No war’s wild not nor glory’s peal Shall thrill with fierce delight Those breats that nevermore shall feel The rapture of the flight.” Good night!

Colonel Hammond then spoke. This is Edwin P. Hammond, so well' remembered in Rensselaer, where he enlisted at the first call of his country, and to which place he returned after the war was over and took up and made a success of the affairs of civil life. Here he was elected Judge of the old Benton, Jasper, Newton circuit court and here was so greatly admired. For many years he has lived in Lafayette, but it does him lots of good to get back to Rensselaer. He / had been failing for some years, but this time he seemed better than for a Tong time and his- face was radiant throughout the reunion. It brought him back to those days of long ago when all were united in the common ehuse and all were doing their best to restore the country to a reunited possibility. Judge Hammond said he was sorry his was called an address on the program. He was not going to make an address but simply to talk to the boys whom he loved in a plain way. He started out along that line, but he warmed up and before he had completed his speech every one would have agreed that he had made a very able address. The hold he has on the affections of his comrades was plain by the manner in which his speech was received and the tender respect with which he was addressed. He said in the course of his remarks that “we love each other, the ties that were formed op the battlefield and in the camp have endeared us to one another and the older we get the more we love one another. And these reunions do us all much good, for we see the faces and clasp the hands of those who shared our burdens during the dark days of adversity.” Colonel Hammond spoke of the fact that the government is appreciative of the soldiers and that it has been generous in its reward. He spoke of pensions, with the probability of further increase, of the soldiers’ homes, both state and national. He said that there is no disgrace about goiqg to a soldiers’ home; it is built because of the labors the soldiers have performed and is their’s of right, just the same as any man’s house is his home. It was paid for by the sacrifices of the men who went to war and built by a generous government as a reward for these sacrifices. Colonel Hammond was given the closest attention and had he talked a much greater length he would have kept the audience interested. He said he' had two difficulties, onejn starting and one in stopping, but he stopped sooner

than his auditors wanted him to. He was followed by a number of comrades, who spoke briefly but interestingly. T. F. Babcock, of Warsaw, brought up the cake subject, and inquired what had become of the cake that had been presented to the regiment. He said that the last he had seen of it, Col. Hammond and Captain Elam were taking it across the river and he presumed it was to be appropriated by headquarters, the same as all the*good things were during the time of the war. He was, of course, speaking In jest, and before he was seated he explained that during the forage expeditions in * the south, r Colonel Hammond always shut his eyes and put cotton in his ears. During the evening the names and ages of all who had registered were read by C. P. Wright, who superintended "the registration. The meeting was very successful and closed with a benediction by Rev. G. H. Clarke. The business meeting was held Friday morning at 8:30 o’clock and it was at this meeting that the cake reappeared. George Morgan has been the custodian and he relieved Colonel Hammond and Captain Elam of the charge that it had been taken Jay “headquarters.” The cake had been in Mr. Morgan’s care and after he had counted noses the cake was cut and passed around. It was angel food of a very superior quality.

Colonel Hammond presided at the business meeting and suggested that in the election of a president some one else be chosen, but his suggestion was not taken. He was nominated permanent president ana when Secretary Yeoman placed the motion there was a chorus of affirmative votes that was unanimous and the colonel acceded to the demand of his boys. Joseph G. Cannon, of Kewanna, was chosen secretary, and Kewanna the next reunion place. The reunion will be held in September of next year, the Thursday and Friday nearest the 19th and 20th of September, the anniversary of the battle of Chickamaugua, fought on those days in 1863. Resolutions were passed at the ing thanking the citizens of Rensselaer, the auxiliary orders, C. P. Wright, chairman of the reunion committee, D. H. Yeoman, the secretary, and all who had worked with them, for the splendid success of the reunion, the hospitality of the people and the general good will of the citizenship. Colonel Hammond said he wanted to thank every one; men, women and children, without regard to sex, color, age, social relationships or previous condition of servitude. A letter was read from a member of the 2d Minnesota regiment that was brigaded with the 87th Indiana and that entered the Chickamaugua battle with them. It recounted some of the events of that great conflict. The meeting then adjourned. Visiting soldiers were taken through the quartermaster’s rooms of the local militia company and they looked oven,

the equipment of the modern soldier with interest, comparing it to that issued to the boys in the sixties. One soldier told of the difficulties encountered in getting uniform sizes. A soldier might draw a pair of trousers about two sizes too large for him and he would hate to endeavor to trade them for a pair that would fit. Some of the veterans did not leave Friday but lingered for longer visits with old comrades. There was a reluctance about parting and groups of the comrades could be seen in conversation during most of the day. It was a great meeting and one of the best, so the members stated, that had ever been held.

The following is a transcript of the registration: Age 69. Daniel Dilts, Winamac. 64. Erastus Peacock, Rensselaer. 68. Thos. A. Crockett, Rensselaer. 67. Shelby Grant, Rensselaer. 75. Joseph M. McGinnis, Westville. 64. W. H. Miller, Rensselaer. 68. D. H. Yeoman, Rensselaer. 63. C. P. Wright, Rensselaer. 62. George L. Morgan, Rensselaer. 65. John Q. Alter, Rensselaer. 69. Charles C. Starr, Rensselaer. 66. John Casey, Fair Oaks. 70. John D. Timmons, Otterbein. 68. I. S. Ramey, Brookston. 74. Daniel Bruce, Kewanna. 73. J. H. Corbet, Winamac. 66. N. H. Stewart, Star City. 64. J. W. Farnum, Toledo, Ohio. 77. John H. Stamm, Kewanna. 70. J. R. Coon, Dayton, Ohio. 70. John Blausser, Kewanna. 73. E. B. Hndklns, Kewanna. 70. William Demuth, Peru. 77. " C. C. Triplett, Morocco. 64. M. A. Jones, Brook. % 70.' John L. Nichols, Rensselaer. 69. James .W. Noland, Waukegon, wis. 4

71. J. W. Boyd, South Bend. 66. John Potts, Warsaw. 67. T. F. Babcock, Warsaw. 66. Marsh Rhoades, Rensselaer. 69. John W. Elam, Valparaiso. 66. H. C. Mackey, Rochester. 73. W. B. Zeller, Rochester. 71. H. G. Pugh, Rochester. 74. J. G. Cannon, Kewanna. 68. J. T. Gainer, Rochester. 66. W. R. McCarter, Rochester. 72. John H. Taylor, Walkertpn. 72. D. C. Fischer, Columbia City. 73. H. Walker, Leiterß Ford. 65. T. B. Apt, Rochester. 81. Jonas Myers, Rochester. 73. John Wheatly, Rochester. 67. John W. Stevens, Chicago, 111. 67. Levi Heeter, DeLong. 76. H. Rarrick, DeLong. 82. Andrew Young, Valparaiso. 77. Jacob Wright, Rochester. 72. M. T. Orcott, Hammond. 75. Col. Edwin P. Hammond, La fayette. 74. Whitsell Lewis, Rensselaer. 81. Charley Platt, Rensselaer. 65. Cyrus A. Ball, Francesville. 68. A. A. Martin, Augusta, Kans. 71. S. Eldridge, Francesville. 72. A. T. Short, Wanata. 69. T. W. Rush, Logansport. 74. E. W. Carpenter, Wanatah. . 65. Geo. W. Wright, Macy. 66. Wm. M. Hoover, Rensselaer.

The following soldiers, members of other regiments, were also in attendance and registered in a separate book at headquarters: Jacob Hosier Ezra L. Clark Cyrus Brenton Wm. Fleming John Vayette G. W. Clark Ebenezer Mab W. W. Reeve I. N. Hemphill Larkin Potts T. H. Robinson John Kresler Timothy Comer William Gray George C. Pumphrey Philip Blue John C. Chilcote W. F. Powers Charles C. Waling J. R. Wilson John M. Wasson A. J. Bellows Morris Thomas W. S. Bedford James Ricker Benj. Geesa James Thompson Elizur Sage Burgess Dillon A. P. Rockwell George Daugherty S. R. Stevens Robert C. Dowler John Scively Albert VanDooser James A. May Phillip McElfresh C. P. Wells Josiah C. Thompson Wm. S. Day Jacob P. Simons A. C. Scott Charles W. Burns J. C. Gwin Harrison Warren Abe Simpson James Overton S. E. Yeoman Wm. H. Wood N. Eldridge W. R. Brown H. W. Wood Henry Hoshaw J. L. Hagins J. F. Mitchell B. L. Saylor John Sullivan N. S. Bates Wm. Daniels W. D. Saylor G. W. Michaels G. F. Warne G. H. Mullaney W. H. Burton John H. Thornton John Clingen Henry M. Shipman B. H. Shelter James F. Irwin Henry Grow