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annual reports, and notices of this meeting. Out of 658 of the latter sent out, 125 have been returned "not called for," in addition to which we have the names of many members without any record of their locations. It is certainly necessary, to a proper and correct administration of the duties of this position, that these deficiencies be supplied and a full and correct record maintained of the P. O. addresses of all members of the Society, in order that they may be promptly furnished with Certificates of Membership, annual reports, receipts, circulars, etc., to which they are entitled. This can only be accomplished by members interesting themselves in the matter and promptly supplying omissions in the published list, or advising the Corresponding Secretary of any changes in the P. O. addresses of members which may come to their knowledge. Submitted herewith are the letters received from absent members. Respectfully,

A. HICKENLOOPER,

Corresponding Secretary.

On motion of Colonel Weber:

Resolved, That the annual report of the Corresponding Secretary be accepted and spread in order upon the records of the Society.

General Hickenlooper also read letters from members of the Society, unable to attend this meeting, which are published below.

LETTERS.

INDIANAPOLIS, IND., June 12, 1872. MY DEAR GENERAL:-I have your very kind letter of yesterday inviting me to join the Cincinnati party at this place on their way to Madison to attend the reunion.

Our courts begin at New Albany the first of July, and quite a large Government case is set down for trial the first day of the courts, so it will be impossible for me to go to Madison. I regret this exceedingly, for no one enjoys our reunions more than I do. Three or four months ago I expected ere this to have been off for California, but my health is so much better that I now thought it my duty to finish up one Spring and Summer term before starting on my journey.

In saying that I have improved since Spring opened, I don't mean that my health is returned. I fear I shall never be as strong as I was in the army.

I don't see now how I can possibly get away long enough to attend the Madison meeting, but something may turn up between now and then which will enable me to participate in the pleasure of that occasion.

Ever your friend,

GENERAL A. HICKENLOOper,

Cincinnati, Ohio.

W. Q. GRESHAM.

KALAMA, W. T., June 1, 1872.

MY DEAR GENERAL:-I have to thank you for circulars of April 25th and May 1st. Although my lot for the present seems to be cast in this far off corner of our land, so that I may not be able to attend the next meeting of our Army of the Tennessee, but I want to rely on you to keep me advised of all dues and fees so that my name shall not be dishonored on the records of the Society.

I have never seen one of the badges. Do I want one? If you think so please inform me how I can obtain one of the best.

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Corresponding Secretary Society Army Tennessee, Washington, D. C.: MY DEAR GENERAL:-Your kind invitation to attend the sixth annual reunion of our Society is received, for which please accept my thanks.

I regret to say that it will be impossible for me to attend, but I wish to send a warm, kind greeting to all my old comrades. I must be now considerably in arrears with my dues. Will you please ask General Dayton to advise me what they are and to direct how and when to forward the money, and I will attend to it before the meeting comes off.

I am, with much respect, your old friend,

G. L. FORT.

GENERAL A. HICKENLOOper,

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, BOISE CITY, IDAHO, June 22, 1872.

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Corresponding Secretary Society Army Tennessee, Madison, Wis.: DEAR SIR:-I am in receipt of your favor inviting me to attend the annual reunion of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, to be held at Madison, Wisconsin, on the 3rd and 4th of July next. I am very sorry indeed that more than two thousand miles of mountain and plain separate me from comrades of the old Army of the Tennessee, for nothing would afford me more pleasure than to meet you all, and renew those social ties formed in the camp, on the march and in battle, and which only a soldier can ever know.

I know you will have a good time, and meet with a magnificent welcome from the brave soldiers of Wisconsin, who were known throughout the army as among the bravest of the brave.

I occasionally, away out here in Idaho, this beautiful "gem of the mountains,” meet a comrade of the Army of the Tennessee, and he never fails to publish that he belonged" to that grand old army, and as he recounts some of its glorious deeds of valor, and mentions the names of its illustrious and loved

comrades, Grant, Sherman, McPherson and Logan, his eyes again kindle with the fires of 1861, as when he heard the sound of the first gun that fired upon the old flag that waved over Charleston Harbor, when he beat his ploughshare into a sword, and his pruning-hook into a spear, and joined that patriotic host that marched southward, singing as they went: "We are coming, coming, Father Abraham, 300,000 more!"

I hope your meeting will be an occasion of thanksgiving, rejoicing and festivity long to be remembered, and that while you will look most upon the silver lining, and the drapery of glory that hung around the dark cloud of civil war, you will not forget the sadder part, to drop a tear for the departed heroes, both Union and Confederate, for while we fought for four years to preserve the Union and to uphold its flag, we should never so far forget what we owe to truth and justice as to be unwilling to bear a soldier's testimony to the heroic sufferings, the wonderful endurance, and the daring valor of the brave men who carried another banner and met us in the fearful struggle. Their cause we will ever condemn, their flag we can never love, but we can claim their deeds of bravery, their soldier qualities, as a part of the national history. And of them, as of our own departed comrades, we can say

"On fame's eternal camping ground,

Their silent tents are spread;

While glory guards with solemn sound

The bivouac of the dead."

And while we extol our grand republic, because, with the sword, it was able to avenge every insult to its flag, and to suppress all efforts for its overthrow, we should be equally proud that it was also able to perform that glorious act of forgiveness and amnesty- -so that to-day not one drop of retaliative blood stains its fair escutcheon, and its glorious records of valor and magnanimity go page and page together alike, challenging the admiration of the civilized world.

And so that to-day, more than ever before, we can say

"Great God! we thank Thee for this home,

This bounteous birthland of the free;

Where wanderers from afar may come,

And breathe the air of liberty!

Still may her flowers untrampled spring,

Her harvests wave, her cities rise,

And yet till Time shall fold his wing,
Remain earth's holiest paradise!"

I have written much more than I intended, and with assurances of my highest regards, I am,

Your most obedient servant,

T. W. BENNETT,

Late Colonel 69th Ind, and Brevet Brig.-Gen. Vol's.

U. S. INTERNAL REVENUE, ASSESSOR'S OFFICE, 2ND DISTRICT, IND., SALEM, May 31, 1872.

THOMAS REYNOLDS AND OTHERS,

Madison, Wisconsin:

GENTS:

Your kind note of invitation is before me and contents noted. In reply I have to say that I take great interest in the grand old Army of the Tennessee, that I have attended the most of the reunions, and if no preventing Providence, I will meet you and them again at the time and place designated. Hoping that there will be a general turn-out,

I remain yours, etc.,
D. W. C. THOMAS,
Late Brevet Brigadier-General.

ST. LOUIS, May 29, 1872.

GENTLEMEN:-Nothing but illness of myself or family shall prevent me from being with you on the 3rd and 4th of July.

Myself and family retain pleasant recollections of the real elegant entertainment at the Vilas House a year or two since, and I hope the committee will do me the kindness to ask the proprietors of that excellent hotel to save

me a room.

Respectfully and truly yours,

THOMAS C. FLETCHER,

THOMAS REYNOLDS AND OTHERS,

Committee.

OFFICE OF NASHVILLE PACKET CO.,
CINCINNATI, June 28, 1872.

GENERAL A. HICKENLOOPER:

SIR: I regret to inform you that continued sickness in my family will prevent me attending the reunion of the Army of the Tennessee, at Madison, Wisconsin, July 3rd and 4th.

I am truly sorry that I cannot be with you.

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OFFICE OF UNITED STATES MARSHAL, HELENA, MONTANA TERRITORY, June 22, 1872.

GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN,

President Society Army of the Tennessee, Madison, Wisconsin: SIR-I have to regret that my official duties, and the great distance between here and Madison prevents my attendance at the annual reunion of the surviving comrades of our glorious old Army of the Tennessee.

May God bless them all forever.

Very respectfully,

WILLIAM F. WHEELER,

Late Captain 4th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry.

YOUNG MEN'S MERCANTILE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION,
CINCINNATI, June 29, 1872.

GENERAL A. HICKENLOOPER:

DEAR SIR:-Enclosed please find one dollar, my dues to Society Army Tennessee for the coming year.

I regret exceedingly that I shall not be able to join in the pleasant excursion to Madison, and the festivities at the reunion of the officers of the old Army of the Tennessee.

Very truly yours,

M. HAZEN WHITE.

CUMBERLAND, O., June 15, 1872.

GENTLEMEN:-After a series of re-mailing, your complimentary circular of 25th ultimo reached us at this place to-day.

We are under obligations for the same, and regret exceedingly we cannot respond affirmatively; and finally, in person, to participate in the general hospitality of your city, in the renewal of old friendships and in the abundant pleasures of the reunion.

Although, personally, we may be strangers, yet we were of the "veteran” brotherhood in that patriotic struggle. And while we were then as one in service, and in purpose, so let us still and ever be a unit in fraternal sympathy. Socially, will we be steadfast friends! Politically, inseparable brothers! As soldiers of a common cause, and as citizens of a common country, will we still swear to maintain one platform-Justice! one Flag-the Stars and Stripes! one government-the Union!

While circumstances, then, must needs bar us from your meeting, our heart shall overflow with greetings for its success.

Believe us, ever fraternally,

TO THOMAS REYNOLDS AND OTHERS,

N. H. KINGMAN.

Local Executive Committee Society Army Tennessee, Madison, Wis.

MEMPHIS, TENN., June 17, 1872.

To Executive Committee Society Army of the Tennessee, Madison, Wis.: GENTLEMEN:-Your circular announcing the sixth annual meeting of your society is at hand, and I am glad and proud to be the recipient of the kind invitation therein extended. The pleasure could only be exceeded by the possibility of my being present at the reunion of a portion of the good old army. My business, however, makes it impossible for me to go to Wisconsin at that time. With regrets that such is the case, and wishes for an enjoyable time on the occasion, I am,

Very respectfully,

I. B. DUTTON, Late 13th Wisconsin Infantry.

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