In the eyes of God is a hero, Is hidden from the Lord. Brave men of a mighty army, We extend you friendship's hand! We wish you a hearty welcome, We are proud that you gathered here To talk of the old times together On this brightest day in the year. And if peace, whose snow white pinions, Should ever again go from us, (God grant she may ever stay.) We would bring out the treasured knapsack, For next to our God is our Nation; Who fought for the Nation's fame. Miss Wheeler's poem gave the listeners much pleasure, who gave it their approbation by liberal applause. MUSIC by the Band:-"Retreat." MUSIC by the Drum Corps:-"Taps" These exercises seemed to give general satisfaction to the members and audience, they having listened throughout with marked attention and apparent satisfaction. The citizens of Madison-the best and most distinguished of whom honored us with their presence-were much pleased to have such an opportunity to witness a gathering of the renowned veterans of our army. Several officers were called on in succession for speeches. and among those who responded were General Sheridan, General Pope, and General Noyes; their impromptu remarks giving general gratification. On motion adjourned. MADISON, WIs., 2 o'clock p. m., July 4, 1872. The Society met as per adjournment of yesterday, General Slack presiding. The record of yesterday's proceedings were read by the Recording Secretary and approved. Colonel H. E. Jones, chairman of the committee appointed to recommend officers for the ensuing year, reported as follows: MADISON, WIS., July 4, 1872. Mr. President:-Your committee appointed to nominate officers for the Society for the ensuing year, have, with entire unanimity, agreed upon and recommend the following roster: For President, General W. T. Sherman. For Recording and Corresponding Secretaries and Treasurer, the same distinguished gentlemen whose pains-taking and successful administrations of their respective offices has been so generally commended, and has so largely contributed to the continued success of our Society, viz: Colonel L. M. Dayton, For Vice-Presidents. Colonel Geo. E. Bryant, General Ed. S. McCook, General Wm. E. Strong, General John W. Fuller, Colonel Wm. F. Vilas, General L. E. Yorke, General John B Sanborn, Colonel N. R. Ruckle, General I. J. Bloomfield, General John W. Noble. In the selection of our officers your committee has looked not only to the record in the army but has sought to recommend those who have been active in the Society of the Army of the Tennessee. On motion of General McArthur: Resolved, That the report of the committee as made be accepted, and that the gentlemen recommended be duly declared elected, and the committee discharged. The election was accordingly duly announced by the President. General Hurlbut, chairman of the committee for recommending a place and time for holding the next annual meeting of the Society, reported as follows: Society Army of the Tennessee: MADISON, July 4, 1872. Your committee on fixing the time and place of holding the next annual reunion, unanimously recommend the city of Toledo, Ohio, as the place, and the 17th and 18th days of October, 1873, as the time. S. A. HURLBUT, Chairman. On motion of Colonel Loomis: Resolved, That the report of the committee be accepted, their recommendation adopted by the Society and the committee discharged. General Belknap, chairman of the committee for recommending an orator for the next reunion of the Society, reported as follows: Society of the Army of the Tennessee: MADISON, July 4, 1872. The committee appointed for the purpose of selecting an orator for the next annual meeting of the Society have the honor to report that they unanimously recommend the selection of Major-General John A. Logan, of Illinois. WM. W. BELKNAP, On motion of General Strong: Chairman. Resolved, That the report of the committee be accepted, their selection for orator be adopted by the Society and the committee discharged. On motion of Colonel Oliver Wood: Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to report resolutions respecting deceased members of the Society. The chairman named the committee, Colonel Loomis, General Spooner and Major Simpson. General McCook stated several members of the Society desired that, as a mark of appreciation of the poem written by Miss Wheeler, she should be presented with a badge of the Society, and, On motion of General McCook: Resolved, That the Society present Miss Wheeler with a Society Badge, and a committee of three be selected to arrange for the same. The chairman appointed General McCook, General McArthur and Colonel J. H. Howe, as such committee. On motion of Colonel Markland: Resolved, That a vote of thanks be hereby accorded the Committee of Arrangements for the thorough and complete manner which they have provided for our meeting. General McCook stated, the committee appointed to arrange for presenting Miss Wheeler with the badge had no regular report to make, but had selected General Spooner to make the presentation, and desired that it should be done now. It was so agreed, and General Spooner, in very neat and appropriate remarks, frequently eliciting applause, transferred the badge to Miss Wheeler, who, in most beautiful terms, accepted the compliment. The committee on resolutions of respect to deceased members made report as follows: July 4, 1872. WHEREAS, this Society has received notice of the death of our comrade Lieutenant J. R. Randall, and, WHEREAS, It has also been notified of the death of Lieutenant James B. Sample, therefore, be it Resolved, That we tender to the families and friends of each of those officers our sympathy and condolence, ourselves simply regretting the temporary separation from which we shall all be re-assembled for higher duties. WHEREAS, This Society has received notice of the death of our comrade Major H. E. Foote, Surgeon 22nd Ohio Infantry, therefore, Resolved, That we tender to his family and friends our sympathy and condolence, and for ourselves accept our brother's final "muster in" to the grand army of the blessed for good and faithful service. WHEREAS, Since the last meeting of this Society, our highly esteemed friends and companions-in-arms Colonel Norman Eddy, of the 48th Indiana Volunteers and Colonel Jesse J. Alexander, of the 59th Indiana Volunteers have departed this life, therefore, Resolved, That in the death of Colonels Eddy and Alexander, the country has been deprived of two of its purest and most patriotic citizens, whose characters for integrity of purpose was unquestioned, and whose example in every relation of life was worthy of imitation, and their honored names will be long and gratefully remembered by the members of this Society. Resolved, That we tender to the widows and families of the deceased our tenderest sympathy in this the hour of their affliction. WHEREAS, Since the last meeting of the Society of the Army of Tennessee, our friend and comrade Major-General John M. Oliver has departed this life, Resolved, That in the death of General Oliver the country has lost one of its ablest defenders-society a cultivated gentleman-and this Society a member honored and beloved by all, and, Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted by the Corresponding Secretary to the widow of the deceased. On motion of General Noyes: Resolved, That the report of the committee be accepted, adopted and the committee discharged. On motion of General Hickenlooper: Resolved, That the Recording and Corresponding Secretaries be and they are hereby directed to cause the proceedings of this meeting to be published and distributed to members, On motion of Colonel Dayton: Resolved, That members of the Society may become life members on the payment into the treasury of the sum of thirty-five dollars, providing any fee which has been paid by them previous to this time be credited against this life membership fee. After such life membership is secured by any member he shall be relieved from paying the annual dues as provided in the By-Laws. On motion of Colonel Markland: Resolved, That the thanks of the Society are hereby accorded to General Slack for the able and efficient manner in which he has presided at our deliberations. On motion of Colonel Reynolds: Resolved, That we extend our thanks to the various railway companies that have extended courtesies to us as a society, for this reunion, and that we wish them as much prosperity as they have shown us kindness. Resolved, That the Press receive our due acknowledgments they so fully merit for kindness shown us. On motion of Colonel Wood: Resolved, That for the special courtesies shown us by Colonel J. H. Howe, of the C. and N. W. R. R., we accord him most cordial and grateful thanks. |