This is a great disappointment to me. I have, up to this time, attended every meeting of the Society, with a single exception, since its organization. Wishing the survivors of the grand old Army which marched through Georgia to the Sea, and its grand old commander, many more reunions, and many years of health and prosperity, I remain, Your friend and obedient servant, J. M. RUSK. The following despatch was received from Hong Kong, China: GENERAL SHERMAN: Pardon my suggesting the reference. and Gordon-both cherished Anglo-Saxon heroes. It is the world's loss-noble Grant PITMAN, Old British Officer. Colonel Royal:-I move that the telegram be spread upon the records of the proceedings. The President.-There will be other communications, which General Hickenlooper will hardly have time to read, and I think we can safely leave to him the publication of such matter as will interest us, or be of service to the world, in their publication. Still, if you make the motion, I will put it. Of course, General Hickenlooper will be bound by the action of the Society, but I think we can leave those things safely with him. Now, gentlemen, what business have you further to suggest? Loud and persistent calls were made for a speech from General Logan, and when he came forward to respond, he was received with cheers. General Logan said: MR. PRESIDENT AND COMRADES: I have just arrived in the city, and am very glad to meet with you, but I desire not to intrude myself at this time, to interfere with the business of the organization, inasmuch as you are to meet to-night, to listen to an address by General Sherman to the Army of the Tennessee. The President:-General Sanborn delivers the oration, and I only make a preliminary address. General Logan:-I will ask that I may not be required to say anything at this time, inasmuch as I expect to say something later to the Army of the Tennessee, in response to a toast. you. [Applause.] I thank The President:-As I understand, the address to-night will be made by General Sanborn, who has been selected as the orator. There will be other addresses, one by myself, and afterwards, if the hour be not too late, I suppose we will adopt the old fashion of calling upon those who are on the stage to make a few pertinent remarks. Now, gentlemen, if you have any further business, we will transact it. Otherwise, we will adjourn. Lieutenant Scribner:-I move to adjourn to 10 o'clock to-morrow morning. The motion prevailed, and the Society adjourned to meet at 10 o'clock A. M., September 10th, in the call board room of the Board of Trade, this adjournment covering the meeting this evening. September 9, 1885. The meeting of the Society, for the purpose of the annual oration and other addresses, was held in Central Music Hall, where it assembled in accordance with the arrangement of the committee. Many members, among them, General Sherman, General John A. Logan, General Oglesby, Colonel Vilas, Colonel Fred. D. Grant, General Green B. Raum, Colonel G. A. Pierce, General Dodge, General J. M. Schofield, General Marshall, General Sanborn, General M. F. Force, General Hickenlooper, General S. D. Atkins, General Schuyler Hamilton, General W. W. Belknap Major Hunt, Bishop Fallows, General Clinton B. Fisk, Colonel Fletcher, Governor Alger, of Michigan; General J. G. Wilson, General Willard Warner and General R. W. Smith, were upon the stage-the auditorium being filled with the remaining members and citizens of Chicago. At eight o'clock the President called to order, saying: I beg the audience to understand that this is a meeting of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee. We welcome all citizens, all ages and classes, to meet us face to face, but we will conduct the proceedings in our own way, and we believe that you will be reasonably content. We always open our exercises with prayer, and I will invite the Rev. Bishop Fallows to offer a prayer on this occasion. Bishop Fallows, addressing the Throne of Grace: Let us pray. Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we devoutly bless Thee for the goodness which has brought us together to-night, and for the occasion upon which we meet. We thank Thee that Thou hast preserved our lives and permitted us to see each others' faces again, and to take each other by the hand. We thank Thee for all the inspiring memories and the thrilling associations which this meeting recalls. Since we last met, some of our number, in Thy wise Providence, have been removed, and we thank Thee for the example of their unswerving loyalty to the Republic and their consecrated devotedness to duty. We thank Thee for the precious legacy which has been bequeathed us, in the wonderful character, and the signal services to his country and ours, which our first commander rendered; and how can we sufficiently praise Thee for raising him up to meet the Nation's urgent needs, and to win so successfully, not only the victories of war, but the victories of peace. Let Thy richest blessings rest upon the country which he and these, Thy servants, and the countless host they stand for, did so much to save. Unite us in one heart and in one purpose. Lead us, we pray Thee, from glory unto glory, and may our Nation be, as we believe in our heart of hearts, Thou didst intend it to be, the foremost Nation of the world in maintaining the principles of true liberty, equality and fraternity; and by Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, finally to bring us all to everlasting life, and the praise shall be ascribed to the Father, the Amen. Son and the Holy Ghost, world without end. SONG. "Hark, the Trumpet," by the Imperial Quartet. [Applause.] The President introduced Governor Oglesby to the audience, saying: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: I suppose the most of you have the card containing the order of exercises in your hands, and it seems to be almost surplusage to introduce to you your own Governor, General Dick. Oglesby. [Applause.] He is put down by the Local Committee on this list, to do his office, the address of welcome, and I know he will do it well. [Applause.] He spoke as follows: WELCOME ADDRESS. MR. PRESIDENT AND COMRADES OF THE SOCIETY OF THE In soldier phrase, I welcome you to soldier hospitality. We offer you our platter, canteen and cot. [Applause.] I hope you will not feel embarrassed; we welcome you here. Feel at home, gentlemen. You are surrounded by your friends. We know something of your character. We have heard something of your deeds, and we are somewhat familiar with your worldwide fame. If the Governor of a State may be allowed to step beyond the scope of simple constitutional duty, and assume, in the name of the people of his State, to utter their voice, to speak for them, I know I shall be excused by the great heart of the great people of the State, and in their name, by their consent and authority, I welcome you to the hospitable soil of Illinois. [Applause.] We greet you heartily, sincerely, earnestly. I do not know any one subject dearer to the hearts of the people of the entire republic than that subject, that theme, that cause which was left for four long years to your keeping and guardianship. It has not often fallen to the lot of men to hold within their keeping the liberties of an entire Nation. It does not often fall to the lot of man to bear such stupendous responsibility. Oh yes, comrades, in the name of women, children and men, in the name of every patriotic heart, in the name of all the people of the entire State, I say to you, you are most warmly welcomed to the State of Illinois. [Applause.] I know the subject is an old one; I know your gatherings have been annual; I know that everybody has heard of you and knows of your Society, but like a moral precept, or an imperishable, golden truth, it cannot grow stale, it cannot die. Here you come together socially as officers of one of the armies of the great Republic. You come together actuated by the loftiest of motives, to keep alive in your own hearts that cause that was so deeply implanted in those hearts, [applause] and to modestly, quietly and becomingly shed your influence through the tender heart of the youth of the land, to inculcate into their young and throbbing bosoms a still higher love of liberty. [Applause. ] No, gentlemen, the subject can never grow stale. In the busy hours of life, when you are scattered upon the highways of trade, amid the bustle of commerce, separated from each other, bearing the burdens of the toils of this busy world, I know, as you know, that you do not keep constantly before your eyes the great cause that you did so much to illustrate, to honor and to establish. But you come together annually. You come in the form of an organized Society, with an illustrious citizen of the Republic to preside over your gatherings. I witnessed one this morning. How well behaved and how manly were the comrades, and how becoming the whole proceeding was! I looked over the assembly this morning, and as my heart trembled with sympathy for them, I wondered: "Is this the remnant, or the representative remnant, of the great Army of the Tennessee, that, under its God-like lead |