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upon our frontier since its close-the hero of the Modoc war, General Jeff. C. Davis.

On behalf of my comrades of the Cumberland Army, I gratefully acknowledge the compliment of this toast. Did time admit, I would gladly with you recall the glorious history of that organization, and comment at length upon its achievements. The noble men who composed that army early in the war, upon their triumphant march through Kentucky, saved from the black stain of secession the grand commonwealth that gave to the Republic the man who would rather be right than be President-Henry Clay. From Mill Springs, where the rebel Zollicoffer paid the forfeit of his life for his treason, down through the long years of bloody strife and fratricidal conflict to Nashville, where Hood's shattered and broken columns fled in dire dismay before its naked bayonets and hurtling shot and shell, the Army of the Cumberland marched and fought, its bands playing none but victorious airs and its back never to the foe. Fortunate in its leaders, it had for its organizer and disciplinarian a man well suited to the work, he who added. Stone River to its battle roll-General William S. Rosecrans. It had for its father a man without fear and without reproach, "the noblest Roman of them all”-General George H. Thomas. With that filial reverence that filled the heart of every soldier who served under him, permit me to say the name of "Old Pap" is embalmed in the loving hearts of all his boys; his memory is crystalized in the grateful affections of all his countrymen. "None knew him but to love him, none named him but to praise."

He is dead! But on the other shore shall we not see him? Who dares crush hopes by saying no? The heaven of neither Christian or Mahommedan would be perfect bliss to me could I not gaze into his placid face and receive kindly recognition from him and the other dead comrades who have gone before.

Mr. President, three great rivers course between wooded banks and help to give to the Father of Waters the mighty current that insures to the country that he traverses prosperity and power. Rising in different sections of the land, having a common destination, in generous rivalry their waters flow. Each helps the other to accomplish a common result. Happy the thought of the man, recognizing the parallel, that gave to the three great armies of the West the names of these three mighty rivers-the Ohio, the Tennessee and the Cumberland. Organized at different times,

at places far apart and by different leaders, in the steady flow of their generous rivalry each contributed to the same great cause, and as the results of their separate and combined efforts a nation, increased in prosperity and power, rejoiced in its salvation and assured perpetuity. Each to the other extended a helping hand. Never can I forget the scenes about Chattanooga. Such the situation that the eagle eye of the man who presides over us to-night during these festivities took it in at a glance, and caused him to exclaim: "Why you are besieged."

True it is, the Army of the Cumberland was a beleaguered garrison. In the bottom of a basin, with a deep river in our rear, the batteries of a watchful enemy, placed upon the semi-circular rim, frowned upon us from the lofty Lookout Mountain on our right to Tunnel Hill upon our left.

With rations short, starvation threatened; for the indomitable Thomas said: "I will hold this position until we starve." Our suffering for food was stopped by the helping hand of General Joe Hooker from the East, who opened our "cracker line." Our suffering for victory was stopped by the helping hand of "Uncle Billy," with his gallant fighting veterans from the West, who opened the gate at Tunnel Hill, through which lay the road to Knoxville and Atlanta. Oh! the delight with which we heard the din of your guns hammering away at the enemy's right. The lines of the Cumberland Army, crouched in front of Mission Ridge, waited for the time when our mighty chieftain, General Grant, should, from Orchard Knob, give the six-gun signal, that should say in thunder tones: "Up, boys, and at them." It came. We A crash of arms. The work is done. The order is obeyed. The rifle-pits at the foot of the ridge are taken. The crest of Mission Ridge, belching fire and death, haughtily dared us to come farther. Every live man of that gallant line accepted the challenge. With one inspiration they started.

went.

"Stormed at with shot and shell,

Nobly they fought and well.”

The long blue lines climb and fight with steady persistency. It is daring audacity, unparalleled in warfare. But still they climb and fight; and see! the crest is reached; the rebel host is routed, and from the top of Mission Ridge "the world is all before us where to choose." To our twin brother, the Army of the Tennessee, equally with us, be the glory and the honor forever.

In the presence of recollections of help in the field like this, we call you, comrades, brothers-in-arms. In the presence of the recollections of the commingling and association around the camp fire and bivouac, we may say to you in Tennessee parlance, "You'uns are we-'uns and us-'uns are you-'uns."

General Manderson was frequently interrupted by applause, and closed amid much cheering and excitement.

MUSIC by the Band.

TENTH TOAST:-"The Army of the Ohio."

Response by GENERAL ALEX. McD. McCook.

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MR. PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE: A pleasant duty has been imposed upon me this evening, to respond to the toast: "The Army of the Ohio." I deeply regret that I have neither eloquence or words to express the sentiments and love I hold for that army, and that I will be unable to do it justice in this response. The Army of the Ohio, its personnel was composed of as good officers and men as ever marched to the cadence of martial music, or toward the sound of the enemy's guns. Assembled in the Autumn of 1861, in Kentucky, or, at least, the greater portion of it was there assembled, under your respected and beloved Sherman. Afterward organized and mobilized by Buell. No army at that time became better disciplined, or more willing and anxious to be led against the enemies of the Government it represented-the Government of the loyal States. When the regiments which afterward composed this army were being assembled, the great and lamented Thomas was watching the Kentucky border from Camp Dick Robinson. Crittenden at Calhoun, and I had the honor of commanding in front of Bowling Green, at the same time covering the city of Louisville. The first important victory of this army was gained by Thomas over Zollicoffer at Mill Spring. This event, occurring early in the war, but a few months after the disaster of the first Bull Run, was a most important victory. By one of the surges of the Army of the Tennessee, Fort Donelson was captured, which opened the way to Nashville for this army without a battle. I will not detain you with the details of the march of this army from Nashville to Shiloh; the circumstances attending the leading, or with what the divisions commanded by Crittenden,

Nelson and McCook did upon that memorable Monday, April the 7th, when the rebel army there was overthrown and whirled back upon Corinth. Whilst holding very pronounced opinions upon these momentous events I decline to speak of them, because conflicting statements have appeared in the public prints in regard to them. I leave to the impartial historian the duty of publishing facts, of doing justice to the living and to the sacred memories of the dead of that army who fell breasting the battle, assisting her sister Army of the Tennessee. The Army of the Ohio crept with the Army of the Mississippi and the Army of the Tennessee upon Corinth, there they separated. The Army of the Ohio moving up the Tennessee river through Northern Alabama to East Tennessee. Then the race with Bragg's Army through middle Tennessee and Kentucky, to Louisville. Perryville! what shall I say of that battle? The troops engaged there on the Union side consisted only of Rousseau's Division, five thousand strong, Jackson's two brigades of new levies, but two months in the service. Five divisions of Bragg's Army were hurled against this small force. Jackson, Terrill and Webster killed, the new levies wasted away like chaff. Not so with the other division however, which manfully held on against such fearful odds, till darkness put an end to the fight. For numbers engaged it was the bloodiest battle fought in the West. After Perryville this army ceased to exist in name, but in name only. Its gallant division constituted the Army of the Cumberland whose glories and fame are so well known to you all. The Army of the Ohio; for the present I bid its pleasant memories farewell.

MUSIC by the Band.

ELEVENTH TOAST:-"Our Volunteer Army." Gallant soldiers and honored citizens.

Response by GENERAL J. M. THAYER, who said that, not expecting to be called on to respond to a toast, he was quite unprepared. He, however, told an amusing story, and made a few appropriate and complimentary allusions to the "Volunteer Army."

MUSIC by the Band.

TWELFTH TOAST:-"Our Judiciary."

Response by Judge C. C. COLE.

MR. PRESIDENT AND SOLDIERS:-The skill and bravery which won victories in our battles of the rebellion may have been expended almost in vain, if our judiciary had not been patroitic as well as wise and sagacious. If our judiciary had not comprehended the fact that there necessarily inlines in every government, although not written in its constitution, the right to preserve its own existence, its own life, and to exercise all the powers expedient thereto, your triumphs might have been comparatively valueless. The cry of "unconstitutionality" respecting every chastisement you administered came from those in arms against you, not only, but others, who through mistaken views of duty, or of the law, were ever ready to utter the same cry against every legislative or executive act calculated to hasten your triumphs, and aid in crushing the rebellion. But the judiciary, recognizing the constitutional right and duty of the Government to preserve itself, and that the discretion as to the means to that end was necessarily lodged with the executive and legislative departments of the Government, united their efforts with yours in giving support and efficiency to every instrumentality designed to bring to our country its earliest peace and unity. The battles of the forum, though bloodless, were not valueless. Their results gave sanction to your achievements, and contributed, in no small degree, to the ultimate triumph your gallantry won. As an humble member of the judiciary I am grateful for the honor of being called upon to respond to this toast, the very propounding of which shows that you recognize in the judiciary true patriots, and worthy of your fellowship; co-workers with you in securing the blessings of peace and union to our common country.

MUSIC by the Band.

THIRTEENTH TOAST:-"The Signal Service."

Its efficiency

imparts confidence to the plans of our Army and Navy, and certainty to the labors of our husbandry.

Response by General A. J. MYER.

MR. PRESIDENT, COMRADES OF THE ARMY OF THE TENNES-It is pleasant for me to be called upon in this presence, in

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