I know what glorious times you have, and I am greatly disappointed that I can not "assist," as the French say, in your glorification. With best wishes for a happy and memorable meeting, I remain, Cordially yours, HORATIO C. KING. GENERAL A. HICKENLOOPER. NEW YORK, November 8, 1896. MY DEAR GENERAL:-I will not be able to be present at the twentyeighth reunion of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee. It would give me great pleasure to do so. I have very many friends in St. Louis, Mo. I am in my seventy-fifth year. I put on my youth, however, to fight for constitutional government against anarchy and civil war; for sound money against dishonest 16 to 1 free silver. I received on the early morning (1 A. M.) November 4, the following telegram from President-elect McKinley: 'Canton, Ohio, November 3, 1896. Major-General Schuyler Hamilton, Hotel Savoy. Glorious victory this day. Reminds me of 1847 and 1861 when men like you led Americans to victory. (Signed) Wm. McKinley." The country in the hour of need rests in confidence on her citizen soldiers. Remember me most kindly to all our members. MY DEAR GENERAL:-I am exceedingly sorry that it will be impossible for me to be present at the next banquet of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, but I am no longer stationed in St. Louis, have engagements definite and fixed months in advance for every week between now and Christmas, and can not possibly absent myself even for a day. Thanking you very much for remembering me once again, I am, Affectionately yours, THOS. EWING SHERMAN. CLEVELAND, O., November 17, 1896. GENERAL A. HICKENLOOPER, Corresponding Secretary Society Army of the Tennessee, Southern MY DEAR GENERAL:-At the request of Mrs. M. D. Leggett, I for her am pleased to make application that she may be made an honorary member of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee at their twenty-eighth reunion meeting. As the General has no son eligible-Leverett, his oldest son, having died some three years ago, and Wells and Mortimer some years previous-and he made no designation in his will as to any successor, she seems entitled to this honor. It is with regret I am unable to stand by those left of the old army in their grand rally at St. Louis. Very truly yours, PETER M. HITCHCOCK. CAPTAIN JULIUS Pitzman, INDIANAPOLIS, November 13, 1896. Chairman Local Committee, Society Army Tennessee, St. Louis, Mo. DEAR SIR: It is my sad duty to tell you that my dear husband, Major J. J. Palmer, died on the twenty-first of last July after a long and tedious illness. I wrote General Hickenlooper soon after I received the notice of the twentyeighth annual reunion of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, and he has promised to have my husband's death officially recorded and do whatever else is necessary in the matter. Trusting the coming meeting will be as pleasant and enjoyable as those in years past, I am, MY DEAR GENERAL:-I regret exceedingly that I shall not be with you this year. Since my husband left me, it has been one of my greatest pleasures to meet with his old comrades of the Army of the Tennessee. My heart is with you. MRS. J. BARBER. WASHINGTON, November 13, 1896. CAPTAIN JULIUS PITZMAN, Chairman Committee of Invitations: DEAR CAPTAIN :-Thanking your committee for their kind invitation to be present at the twenty-eighth annual reunion of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, I sincerely regret my inability to attend and participate in the meeting. With kind regards to all present and wishes that they may have a good time, and, in fact, I know they will, I am, Very truly yours, GENERAL A. HICKENLOOPER: R. MACFEELY, Brigadier-General U. S. Army, Retired. LAMOILLE, ILL., November 9, 1896. DEAR SIR:-I exceedingly regret that I am again, by force of circumstances over which I have no control, to decline the cordial invitation to meet with the surviving members of the Army of the Tennessee at their twentyeighth reunion. That you may have an experience meeting and love feast long to be remembered is the sincere wish of Yours very respectfully, R. B. FRARY, Late Captain Co. G, 139th Ills. Vol. Infantry. CHICAGO, November 18, 1896. MY DEAR GENRAL:-I hoped to have been able to leave for St. Louis to attend the meeting of our Society last evening, but business of importance will keep me here today and tomorrow. I regret more than I can express my inability to be with my old army comrades at this meeting. Hoping the meeting will be a success in every way, I remain, Sincerely and faithfully yours, A. CHETLAIN. BROOKLYN, November 16, 1896. CAPTAIN JULIUS PITZMAN, Chairman: DEAR SIR:-On behalf of General E. F. Winslow, who is now abroad, I thank you for the invitation extended to him for the twenty-eighth annual reunion of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, and beg to advise that he will not be able to be present. DEAR GENERAL:-Your request for information "If I will attend the reunion of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee at St. Louis on the 18th and 19th insts," I regret to say, after consultation with my doctor, who says that it would be very imprudent in my present condition to make the attempt, I shall be unable to attend. I am very sorry as it looks now that this will perhaps be the last opportunity I will have to meet once more the members of the Army of the Tennessee, who I trust will have an enjoyable time. If any of the members remember me, give them my earnest wishes. Yours truly, JOHN E. SMITH. CAPTAIN JULIUS PITZMAN, FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, November 17, 1896. Society Army of the Tennessee, St. Louis, Mo.: MY DEAR CAPTAIN-I received by this morning's post your invitation to attend the annual meeting of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee at St. Louis on the 18th and 19th insts. The twenty-eighth annual reunion of Grant's army-of Sherman's army-of McPherson's army-of Howard's army-and of Logan's army. What an army it was, what leaders it had, and all of them gone now except the gallant and distinguished Howard. You and I, Julius, were rosy cheeked boys at Shiloh, now there is silver in our hair, and old father Time has placed his mark upon our brow; but what a pleasant thing it is to remember that we are part and parcel of what is left of the grand old army of the Tennessee. All of the foregoing is afield from what I intended to say. I am compelled to decline your invitation, not from inclination but from necessity. Mrs. Morton's health is such that I would not dare to have her endure the fatigue incident to the journey, and I can't go without her. You don't know how much I regret to have to write this declination, how sorry I am that I am unable to meet you one and all in my old delightful home in that beautiful city on the banks of the Father of Waters. Remember me with sincere affection to every one present, they were my brothers in arms, and that is the dearest, tenderest kinship in the world. Major Edwards-he of the sylph-like form and Alabama Cavalrytells me that his wife is now visiting in St. Louis, and for that reason he will postpone his attendance until another reunion. The Major may not have the dash of Napoleon the First, but he has the discretion of a Wellington. Most sincerely yours, CHAS. A. MORTON. CHICAGO, November 17, 1896. GENERAL A. HICKENLOoper, Corresponding Secretary Society Army of the Tennessee: MY DEAR GENERAL:-Wife and I have together enjoyed our annual reunions, greeting old friends and forming new ones. Since ladies were admitted to our banquets, my wife and I have yearly side by side enjoyed the feast, but this year we shall be deprived of that pleasure. On the 18th of October my good wife's mother, at the age of eighty-five, peacefully and joyfully laid down life's burden, and quietly slept the sleep that knows no awakening. Our meeting, occurring on the 18th, the first monthly anniversary of mother's departure, my wife, of course, does not feel like attending, and without her, under the circumstances, it would so lessen my pleasure that I beg to be excused. Wife joins me in hearty greetings to all our old friends. Very truly yours, W. L. BARNUM, Late Colonel 11th Mo. Infantry. NEW YORK, November 14, 1896. DEAR SIR: I very greatly regret that several important engagements for the coming week that can not be postponed, will prevent me from enjoying the pleasure of meeting former comrades on the occasion of the twenty- With sincere wishes for a most successful meeting, believe me, JAS. GRANT WILSON. CINCINNATI, November 16, 1896. CAPTAIN JULIUS PITZMAN, Chairman Committee: MY DEAR CAPTAIN-I am extremely sorry that I can not respond in person to your cordial invitation to attend the twenty-eighth reunion, as I dearly love the old Army of the Tennessee, but my health is such that I have to be very careful and avoid traveling as much as possible. General Hickenlooper says "I am getting old." That may be, and if so, how about the balance of the boys? I admit we are not as young as we were on the memorable 4th of October, 1862, but our hearts are just as warm and loyal as ever. Hoping the reunion will be one of the best and that the next one will be held here, where a hearty welcome will always greet them, I remain, Yours truly, E. V. CHERRY. CHICAGO, November 13, 1895. GENERAL ANDREW HICKENLOOPER, St. Louis: MY DEAR GENERAL:-I have hoped very much to be present at the meeting of our Society in St. Louis, but the coming on to trial of a case in which a number of witnesses from a distance are to be called, makes it impossible, almost, for me to leave the city at this time. This alone will prevent me from being with the grand old Society at this meeting. I regret this more than I can tell you. With kindest regards to the "old boys," I am, Very faithfully yours, CAPTAIN JULIUS PITZMAN, RICHARD S. TUTHILL. DAVENPORT, Iowa, November 14, 1896. Chairman Invitation Committee, Society Army of the Tennessee: DEAR SIR: In response to notice and invitation to attend the twentyeighth annual reunion of Society of the Army of the Tennessee as a member thereof, I have postponed reply to a late date trusting I might not be compelled to send "regrets". But now it is my regret that from unavoidable circumstances I shall not be able to attend on this happy occasion, and thus notify you as requested for answer. Very respectfully, ADD. H. SANDERS, Colonel 16th Iowa Infantry, Brevet Brigadier-General. |