that the whole truth may be manifest; for truth is consistent, and will in time vindicate itself.

I may have committed errors, I surely have made some omissions, and prudence would have dictated more; but now is the time, for hundreds and thousands of the actors are still alive, and the contemporaneous archives of the Government still remain, to illustrate these great events. Here sits by my side a principal witness of all these matters (General Grant), to whose judgment I have ever deferred, and in this instance will again defer; for not only we, but the whole world has a right to a have knowledge of all the facts as they actually occurred, for they contain lessons for the millions now living, and for the hundreds of millions yet to come. Some persons have seen fit to criticise the route pursued in our “march to the sea." They say we should have marched by way of Augusta instead of Milledgeville. The men who say this now did not say it then. When a thing has been done, it is easy enough to say it might have been done better some other way.

I was there on the spot, possessed of as much knowledge of the actual condition of affairs to our front as any one else. On me clearly devolved the selection of the route of march, and I have no hesitation in saying that it was fortunate that we did not go by way of Augusta. The reasons then were known to many if not all of you, that we should feign on Macon to the right and Augusta to the left, compelling the enemy to divide his forces for their defense, whilst we passed between. We could not then afford to lie in siege before Augusta even for a week, because the necessity for food compelled us to move through new fields daily.

Nor was Augusta of sufficient value to delay the great object an hour; indeed, remaining in the hands of the enemy it compelled him to guard it again when we made the next march from Savannah northward, whereby we again diminished the opposi tion at those great rivers which crossed our path, where a few thousand men, well handled, could have delayed us for weeks, and swelled the dangers and difficulties, already enough to make prudent and bold men shake their heads. I would not change the record if I could, and am perfectly content to leave time and the future to pass judgment on the wisdom or folly of the choice of routes. And I assert again, and with emphasis, that those who now contend that we should have marched to Richmond by way

of Augusta and Salisbury did not say so or think so then; but that it is an after thought.

I regret that I have thus been drawn to such a length, but it may not be amiss, since your Secretary has informed us that the proceedings of all our meetings, including the next, will be reprinted into a single volume, of which I am very glad; for I know it will form a most valuable addition to the history of the war, though purporting to treat only on one of the number of great armies which grew up in its progress. And now, in conclusion, whether the army that marched to the sea was fortunate or not in its leader, I regret that some one of the recent better Generals had not stood in my shoes then; and still more that they are not in my shoes now. [Prolonged applause.]

MUSIC by the Band.

SONG by Captain CHURCH:-"March to the Sea.”

FIFTH TOAST:—"The Society of the Army of the Tennessee.” Response by Colonel L. M. DAYTON.

In rising to respond to the sentiment just read, I say to all here present, comrades, ladies and gentlemen, our guests, I bid you, in the name of our Society, a cordial welcome to our board, and hope you may realize your expectations of enjoyment. To our members in particular I may be pardoned for applying a wellknown term, and to those who, side by side, accomplished the many long, weary marches of the Army of the Tennessee, fought the battles that gave it renown, slept, sang, mourned, and withal drank of the jovial cup together, I may say, "comrade bummers," this is our festive night. Whether we will or not, that term goes into history along with that of the Army of the Tennessee, it has been everywhere and at all times complimentarily used, until it has won for itself a new definition, peculiar as our army was, respected and admired. To-night we strike hands for old acquaintance sake, and what we say or do will be considered wholly from the bright side and the well-spring of enjoyment.

It has been my good fortune in the experience of our gatherings to never have been called on for remarks of any character. Never having made an address, to attempt a banquet speech would be too much, and though this time and this presence, he who during all the great struggle was ever at the front in planning and execution-General Grant-and another whose bright

genius was felt wherever his lot was cast, and had the daring courage to guide us across the continent-General Shermanwould give any man inspiration, I still beg your indulgence; you will permit me to use the few minutes I shall take in giving some of the details of the history of our Society.

When the grand army under General Sherman was at Raleigh, quietly biding its time for enacting the last scene-so it provedof the war, a few officers of the Army of the Tennessee at their camp fire were listening to Major-General F. P. Blair, who gave them some idea of the society organized in the army of the Revolution under Washington, and suggested that we form one there, of the same character, and that experience during the rebellion gave special qualifications for our officers for such a society. Immediately his suggestions were adopted, and a meeting of ast many officers as could be notified was called for the next day, April 14th, 1865, by General Blair sending his staff officers to notify others. This meeting duly transpired, and was largely attended. General Wm. B. Woods, of the 1st Division, 15th Corps, was chosen Chairman, and myself Secretary. Among those present were Generals Blair, C. R. Woods, Giles Smith, Potts, Force, Colonels Warner, Rodgers, Hickenlooper, Joel, and many others, of whom about fifty recorded their names. General Blair explained the object of this meeting to be the organization of a society of the officers of the army of the Tennessee, to be non-partizan and non-political, but based entirely upon the social acquaintance and relations existing between the officers, and that he had been studying the matter a long time. His views were heartily approved, and a committee of Generals Blair, Logan, Giles Smith, A. J. Smith and W. B. Woods was appointed to draft a Constitution to be submitted for action at an adjourned meeting. The meeting then. adjourned subject to the call of the committee.

Events were transpiring rapidly, for this occurred among the closing scenes of the rebellion. All were occupied. The time when the muster out should be called seemed to be near at hand, friendships among us were receiving the last cementing process that should never know severence. There was grief also pervading all minds, for our gifted and great President had just suffered death at an assassin's hand. Again we were called together on the 25th of April, and met in the Senate Chamber of the State capital

(Raleigh) with the same presiding officer and secretary. The committee made its report, and the plan of organization as suggested, and the draft of Constitution in which our Society is named the "Society of the Army of the Tennessee," were unanimously adopted, not a dissenting voice or expression, and so far as known was fully and heartily approved by everybody present. That instrument remains as our Constitution to-day, and with our organization preserved upon the principles which it took shape and existence it must so remain for all time to come. There is no mistaking our principles, they have too often been expressed to admit. of a possibility of doubt that they are entirely social, wholly consistent, and based upon the acquaintance of officers during the war. The original draft of the Constitution was made by General Blair, is in his own handwriting, and every word bears with it his own views and ideas of intention at all times so fully expressed, and here let me say a word for General Blair. To him we owe our existence as a society. It was he who first suggested and devised the organization. He was a gallant soldier and genial gentleman, ever ready with helping hand for the oppressed, ever manfully and courageously sustaining his convictions, ever in the front of the progressive, beside leaving this legacy to us he has left his autograph in the nation's history, and our Society shall be proud of him. I need not bespeak of you, comrades, that "green be ever the memory of Major-General Frank P. Blair."

At this meeting General John A. Rawlins, then chief of staff to the commander of all the armies, but so long the respected and able Adjutant-General of the Army of the Tennessee, was chosen President, and I the Secretary of the Society. Surgeon John M. Woodworth was elected Corresponding Secretary, and Captain Addison Ware, Treasurer. For reasons then given, Vice-Presidents were not chosen, and after some routine business the meeting adjourned. The next meeting of the Society was its first annual meeting at Cincinnati, on the 14th and 15th of November, 1866, called by the President. There had, in the meantime, been an effort to organize Division Societies, and two of them of the 17th Corps held reunions in Chicago the year previous, well attended, and I can with others bear testimony that this was of salutary influence in perpetuating our own organization. At the meeting in 1866 the organization was further perfected by adopting a code of By-Laws, which, with the Constitution, has been our guide of

action ever since. Much routine business was then transacted, and officers were elected, viz: General Rawlins, President; myself, Secretary; General Hickenlooper, Corresponding Secretary; and General Force, Treasurer. With the exception of the death of General Rawlins there has been no change in these officers since. The matter of the annual address was inaugurated by General Rawlins, and the social character of our Society took further shape in the inauguration of an annual banquet, both of which have been maintained to the present time. About one hundred and fifty officers there recorded themselves as members of our Society, and from this our membership first assumed the present formal shape. Annually since, viz: nine years, have we had our reunions, our members have increased until we now number nearly eight hundred, none having retired, our ranks thinned only by death. The correspondence, devotion and faithfulness to every duty called for, fully attest the pleasure we have experienced, and just pride all have in our Society. Offspring of the Army of the Tennessee, inheriting its experiences of association and fellowship-if we studiously adhere to those principles, ties and associations learned in war, but which can not be taught in peace-so well expressed by our founder in the Constitution he gave us we shall retain that harmony which contributed so largely to the success of the army whose name we so justly bear.

Envious of none, utterly unselfish, and thus far steadily pursuing but one course, we may rightfully sing our own success. Let us then bar our door against every element of dissension, prescribe from our deliberations forever all discussion of schisms, and we can keep and enjoy our association so long as the fame of the Army of the Tennessee shall remain in history.

I need not, my comrades, further urge you to guard your interests well, for I see in your earnest faces an expression that teaches me that you surely will.

In closing, I thank you kindly for your generous, courteous attention, and express an earnest hope that we may all live to enjoy many reunions of the "Society of the Army of the Tennessee."

MUSIC by the Band.