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    Soldiers of Jennings county met in the City Hall in North Vernon, pursuant to a call, to take into consideration, the propriety of holding a Soldiers' Reunion.
    This meeting was organized by electing Co. H. Tripp to the chair, and J.D. Hudson, secretary.
    A motion that the soldiers of Jennings county hold a reunion was carried.
    On motion a committee was appointed whose duty it will be to select officers and committees for a permanent organization. The committee was made to consist of J.C. Cope, H. O'Conner, D. Brown and G.W. Riggs.
    On motion one soldier was appointed from each township to act as enrolling officer, as follows: Montgomery township - Oliver Shepherd; Lovett - John S. Wells; Vernon - Harmon Dixon; Spencer - S. W. Harding; Geneva - Oscar Cowell; Campbell - W.H.H. Boyd; Bigger - John H. Cox; Sandcreek - John B. Riggs; Columbia - John Barnes; Marion - Thomas H. Adams; Center - Scott Prather.
    Resolved, That all soldiers, without regard to race or color, who were honorably discharged from the U.S. Service, be invited to attend this reunion, and also their friends and families.
    Committee on permanent organization reported as follows:
Committee on Grounds - G.W. Boyer, Mark Robinson, Fred Bohnen, Samuel Bosler, Harmon Dixon, Jesse McIlroy, Charles Johannes, James McCauley, W.W. Denton, James Swift - with power to call to their assistance sufficient help to do the work.
    The Reunion was ordered to be held on the 11th day of October, 1879, to commence at 10 o'clock.
    Ordered that the county papers be requested to publish the proceedings of this meeting.
    A resolution was introduced by the Chair that the first Reunion be in the form of a picnic, and that all be requested to come with their baskets well filled.
    Meeting adjourned
                HAGERMAN TRIPP, Pres.
            J.D. HUDSON, Secretary.

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    Ed. Downs, a member of 26th Ind. Regiment has a souvenir of the war which he would not part with for any money. On the morning of the day of the Illinois creek fight, in 1862, as he marched along in the dusty road with his comrades in arms he picked up a knife in a sheath, lost or thrown away by a fellow soldier, and thrust it in his belt. Later in the day while engaged in battle he felt a strange thud and looking down saw that a bullet had struck the knife and had been turned aside. The knife had saved his life and he treasures it to this day, taking pleasure in showing the broken blade and the turned edge where the ball had struck.
    Mike Striker has a most elaborate discharge from the 4th regular cavalry. It is parchment, and the parts filled are beautifully written. On the back are inscribed the names of the many engagements in which he took part.
    Such relics as these, and there must be many should be collected and shown to every body at the Soldiers Reunion on the 11th of October.     Who has them.     Boys report them.

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    All ex-soldiers of Center township are requested to meet at the City Hall on Saturday evening, August 30th, at 7 p.m., for the purpose of organizing a battalion for the reunion. Recollect the date.    COMMITTEE.

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North Vernon, Aug. 23rd.     Committee on grounds meet in City Hall; members present, G.W. Boyer, S.L. Balser, J.H. McIlroy, J.S. Couchman and J.D. Swift.
    On motion Mr. Swift was appointed secretary.
    On motion J. S. Couchman was appointed as special committee on grounds.
    It was resolved that the reunion be held on the fair grounds.
    On motion of Mr. Couchman the refreshment stands be rented at $5 per stand, and be limited in number to ten; wagons with melons one dollar per wagon; cider one dollar per barrel.
    On motion of S. L. Balser, all games of chance is excluded.
    It was agreed to sell the refreshment stands on the grounds, on Saturday, September 13th, during the last day of Harvest Home, at 2 o'clock p.m.
    motion of J.H. McIlroy, committee adjourned to meet at fairgrounds Sept. 13th, 1879, at 2 o'clock p.m.
                C.W. BOYER, Chairman
            J.D. SWIFT, Secretaty

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    A reunion of Survivors of Southern Prisons (Union Soldiers), will be held in Toledo Ohio, on October 1st and 2nd.

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    A meeting of the surviving soldiers of 6th Indiana regiment was held at the Reunion at Madison on Wednesday last. Captain W.E. McLeland was elected President and W. A. Lyon, Esq., Secretary. The President stated that the object of the meeting was to perfect a permanent organization of the Regiment. On motion, a committee of five was appointed by the President to nominate officers for the first year or until their successors are chosen. The committee made the following report, which was unanimously adopted, President, Col. Hagerman Tripp, of North Vernon; First Vice President, Edward McDevitt, of Indianapolis; Second Vice President, Mm. E. McLeland, of Madison; Corresponding Secretary, P.C. McGannon, of North Vernon; Secretary B.M. Hutchins, of Columbus; Treasurer, Dr. Wm. A. Collins, of Madison. It was ordered that the next meeting of the Regiment be held at North Vernon on the Thursday preceding the 19th day of September, 1880.

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Madison, Aug. 20, 1879
    At a meeting of 82d Indiana Volunteers the following programme was arranged for the next annual meeting: to be held at North Vernon on the first Wednesday in October, 1880. Captain W.Y. Monroe was chosen to prepare and essay for the occasion. The following committee on arrangements was appointed: Capt. Samuel Spencer, Lieut. A. W. Brown, Daniel Glenn and Henry Davis. All members of the Regiment are cordially invited to be present and participate in the exercises.
                A.WHEDON, Chairman
            A.G. HUNTER, Sec'y, Versailles, Ind.

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    Mr. L. H. Hill has in his possession a spur which was taken from the bare heel of a rebel officer who fell on the field of Chicamauga.

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    Just after the close of the war Mr. E. S. Holliday, a soldier boy of this county, at present mayor of Brazil, Clay county, wrote the following poem, and it has never before appeared in print, we resurrect an old copy for the soldiers column. It will be a surprise to Mr. H., we know.

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    Me______, writer of the Story "Andersonville" which lately run as a serial in the Toledo Blade and which will shortly appear in book form, gives the following:
    One day about the middle of November, orders came in to make out rolls of all who were born outside of the United States, and whose terms of service had expired. We held a little council among ourselves as to the meaning of this, and concluded that some partial exchange had been agreed on, and the Rebels were going to send back the class of boys whom they thought would be of least value to the Government. Acting on this conclusion the great majority of us enrolled ourselves as being foreigners and having served our terms. I made out the roll of my hundred, and managed to give every man a foreign nativity. Those whose names would bear it were assigned to England, Ireland, Scotland, France and Germany, and the balance were distributed through Canada and the West Indies. After finishing the roll and sending it out, I do not wonder the Rebels believed the battles of the Union were fought by foreign mercenaries. The other rolls were made out in the same, and I do not suppose that they showed 500 native Americans in the stockade.
    The next day came in order for those whose names appeared on the roll to fall in: We did so, by the hundreds and thousands, and were marched outside the gates, where we found a man standing on a stump, waiting to make a speech to us. As the last thousand came out and closed in he began.
    It was the same old story:
    "Prisoners you can have no longer any doubt that your Government has cruelly abandoned you; it makes no efforts to release you, and refuses all offers of exchange. We are anxious to get our men back, but it is not. You have already endured much more than it could expect of you; you served it faithfully during the time you enlisted for, and now, when it is through with you it throws you aside to starve and die. You also can have no doubt that the Southern Confederacy is certain of securing its independence. It will do this in a few months. It now offers you an opportunity to join its service, and if you serve it faithfully to the end, you will get the same reward as the rest of the soldiers. You will be taken out of here, be well clothed and fed, given a good bounty, and at the conclusion of the war receive a land warrant for a nice farm. If you----"
    But we had heard enough. The Sergeant of our division - a man with a stentorian voice - sprang out and shouted,
"Attention, First Division!"
We Sergeants of hundreds repeated the command down the line. Shouted he.
"Division, about" ---
Said we:
"First hundred about---"
"Second hundred about-"
"Third hundred about---"
"Fourth hundred about-" etc., etc.
Said he-
"Face!"
Ten Sergeants repeated "Face," one after the other, and each man in the hundreds turned on his heel. Then our leader commanded-
"Division, forward, march!!"
And we strode back into the stockade, followed immediately by all the other divisions, leaving the orator still standing on the stump.
    The Rebels were furious at this curt way of replying. We had scarcely reached our quarters when they came in with several companies, with loaded guns and fixed bayonets. They drove us from our tents and huts into one corner, under the pretense of hunting axes and spades, but in reality to steal our blankets, and whatever else they could find that they wanted, and to break down and injure our huts, many of which, costing us days of patient labor, they destroyed in pure wantonness.
    We were burning with the bitterest indignation. A tall slender man named Lloyd, a member of the 61st Ohio - rough uneducated fellow, but brimful of patriotism and manly common sense, jumped up on a stump and poured out his soul in rude but fiery eloquence: "Comrades" he said "do not let the blowing of these Rebel whelps discourage you, pay no attention to the lies they have told you to-day; you know that our Government is to honorable to desert any one who serves it; it has not deserted us; their Hell-born Confederacy is not going to succeed. I tell you that to assure as there is a God who reigns and judges in Israel, before the spring breezes stir the tops of these ugly old pines there ___ ____ Confederacy and all the lousy Graybacks who support it will be so deep in hell that nothing but a search warrant from the throne of God Almighty can ever find it again. And the glorious old stars and stripes-"
    Here we began cheering tremendously. A Rebel Captain came running up said to the guard, who was leaning on his gun, gazing curiously at Lloyd.
in ____ are you standing gaping there for? Why don't you shoot the ____ _____ Yankee son ___ ___ __ _____"? and snatching the gun away from him, cocked and leveled it at Lloyd, but the boys near jerked the orator down from the stump and saved his life.

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    There will be a meeting at the City Hall on Saturday evening, September 6th, at 7:30 o'clock, for the purpose of forming a battalion for the Reunion. An election of officers will take place.
                        COMMITTEE

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    In response to a call published in the Plain Dealer last week a number of ex-soldiers met in the city hall on Saturday night, August 30th.
    The meeting was organized by electing Dr. J.S. Ewan President, and L.H. Hill Secretary.
    It was unanimously agreed that a battalion for Center township be formed, and on motion W. S. Prather and Alex Shepherd were appointed enrolling officers to enroll every old vet. In Center township who would participate in the parade on the day of the Reunion.
    On motion the secretary was instructed to correspond with the Adjutant-General, to procure three hundred guns and equipments for the use of the battalion on the Reunion day.
    On motion every old soldier of the township was requested to meet in city hall on next Saturday evening, at 7 o'clock, to complete the organization and elect officers. L. H. HILL, Secretary

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     The following is a list of the ex-soldiers who reside in Center township, and who will attend the Reunion on October 11th, 1879:
    If any name has been omitted from the list I would be pleased to be notified of the fact that they may be properly enrolled. W. S. PRATHER

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    The building at Richmond, Virginia, known during the war by the above name and used as a military prison by the rebels, was destroyed by fire last week. In 1863 Castle Thunder contained 1,500 inmates-Northern citizens, Southern Unionists, Yankee deserters, Confederate convicts, and eighty-two free negros, captured with Federal officers in the field. Its reputation was worse that Libby Prison's.

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    The old soldiers met in city hall on Saturday night, September 6th, pursuant to adjournment, Dr. J.S. Ewan in the chair. Minutes of proceeding meeting read and approved. Enrolling officers reported 34 names enrolled as members of the battalion, and about all of them ready for duty. A communication from Quartermaster General giving terms upon which arms could be had was read by the secretary. C.D. Shank was then appointed to confer with Adjutant-General with a view of getting better terms. G. Oliver was appointed to confer with R.R. officials to secure cheap transportation of arms.
    As the battalion will be at some expense in procuring arms it was thought advisable to appoint a committee of two from each ward to solicit money for this purpose, the committee consisting of the following persons:
    1st ward, H.C. Smith and L.H. Hill. 2d ward, J.C. Cope and A.S. Conner. 3d ward, Capt Boyer and W.S. Prather.
    P,C. McGannon was then elected Treasurer.
    The battalion proceeded to election of officers which resulted as follows:
        P.C. McGannon, Captain
        F.W. Verbarg, 1st Lieutenant
        David Bay, 2nd Lieutenant
        W.S. Prather, Orderly Sergeant
    The first order of the captain was that the command report on Fair Grounds on next Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock for company drill.
    After adjournment the battalion joined in three rousing cheers for the Union, and from their manner one would think that the old war spirit was still alive. L.H. Hill, Secy.

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    Every Soldier of Center Township is requested to meet at 2 o'clock p.m. Saturday, September 12 at the Fair Grounds, for the purpose of completing enrollment. P.C. McGannon, Capt. Company

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    Frank Gross was a member of the 8th Wisconsin, this is the regiment that carried the eagle "Old Abe" through the war. The eagle was procured from a Chippewa Indian when very young. When the regiment cheered the eagle would rise from his staff and soar above the men. Frank has seen Old Abe twice since the close of the war. He is now in care of a crippled soldier at Madison, Wisconsin.

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    Dr. A. J. Thomas of Vincennes, now an officer in the State Insane Asylum, was an officer in the Confederate army and was captured by members of the 22nd regiment.

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    The 37th Indiana regiment will hold a Reunion at Lawrenceburg on the 18th of this month. All soldiers and everybody else invited to attend.

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    The following are the names of colored ex-soldiers who reside in this county as far as we can learn. It can be borne in mind that they served in the Union armies.

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    The following is a list of the ex-soldiers who reside in Spencer township, and who will attend the Reunion at this place on the 11th day of October:
    If any name has been omitted from the list I would be pleased to be notified of the fact that they may be properly enrolled. S.W. Harding, Enrolling Officer

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    The ex-soldiers of Spencer township will meet in the school house at Hardenburg, on Saturday evening, September 13 at early candle-light, to take steps toward organizing a company to attend the Reunion on the Fair Grounds on October 11th.

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    We were sometimes told that one Confederate could easily whip from five to seven Yankee. The reverse of this we heard at Hardenburg, on Saturday last. Gus Winters, a resident there now, and during the war a member of the 4th Ohio Cavalry, was surrounded by five Confederates in one of the engagements, and Gus got away with every one of them coming out of the melee pretty badly hacked up but victorious.

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    The Jennings county soldiery are making extensive preparations for their reunion October 11. It will be the most delightful time of the year; the roads will probably be good; why not our soldiers organize, make up a train and go in light marching order - in conveyances - and spend the day with their comrades. They could go one day, go into camp, have a good time the next and on the third day return home. No doubt the boys at North Vernon would make it pleasant for them and they would greatly enjoy it. Members of the 6, 12, 13, 22, 26, 18, 32, 35, 36, 37, 52, 54, 68, 72, 92, 83, 120, 135, 137, 145, 148 Infantry, and the 3 and 13 Cavalry are taking an interest in it. Suppose our post of the G.A.R. lead out. - Greensburg Review.

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    At a meeting of soldiers of the "Great Rebellion," held in City Hall on the 9th of August, it was resolved to effect a permanent organization of all honorable discharged soldiers in the county. To that end a reunion was appointed to be held at the Fair Grounds on the 11th of October. Enrolling officers were appointed to enroll the names of all soldiers. Some of the lists have been reported and published in the papers. A full list from every township is expected from each enrolling officer.     It is hoped that the Committee on Finance will be thorough in its work, as a little cash will be necessary to the success of the Reunion. The committees on arrangement, on grounds, and on music should take such action as will give the desired result.
    Our reunion on the 11th of October is to be a picnic meeting, or in other words, we depend upon cooked rations brought upon the grounds to supply the wants of all. That this may be met, we suggest that the enrolling officers appoint committees in their respective townships to ask our friends to contribute of their abundance to give the "boys'" and themselves a dinner-none of your "goodnugs;" but a plain old fashioned dinner.
    Remember, "all soldiers, their families and their friends" are invited, and we think that this will will embrace all the people in Jennings county, for we feel that those at home during "war's wrinkled front," who loyally supported the government and the army are as deserving of the country as those in the line of battle. It may not have been so unhealthy at home, but the loyalty and service were there. And if there are any so unfortunate as to have fought on "t'other side", come along and partake of our good cheer-you shall be welcome.
    We regret to learn that some hesitate to attend our meeting fearing that there will be too many of the rough class, dead beats, gamblers, &c. on the ground. Now, in the army there may have been gambling; if so, it was always in violation of discipline and orders. It would be strange indeed, if after had served in that school at the front we should come home and at a reunion set up a gambling shop. Lay aside your fears, dear frinds, no such misfortune will happen to you or us. There will be no wheels of furtune, or rather misfortune, or gambling devices and clap-trap allowed on the grounds.
    We meet to renew former acquaintances, to mingle and rejoice together-yet that joy will not be unmixed with grief, for how vividly we will remember the many graves made by the wayside, at the hospitals, and on the battlefield-but we will endeavor to "keep our memory green"
                H. Tripp, Pres., North Vernon, Sept. 15, 1879

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    The enrolling officers in the several townships, and all committees appointed at the meeting held on August 9th, are requested to to meet in the City Hall in North Vernon, on Saturday, 27th inst., at 2 o'clock p.m., to report, and adopt such further measures as may be deemed necessary to make our Reunion a success.    H. Tripp, Pres.     The soldiers of the township met in the court house pursuant to call, to take steps towards organizing a company to attend the Old Soldiers Reunion, October 11th. The meeting was called to order by Harmon Dixon, and organized by electing Daniel Bacon chairman, and Irby S. Wagner secretary. On motion of Joseph Vesey a committee of five was appointed to solicit money to defray the expenses of organizing the company, the committee consisting of Wm. J. Randall, T.A. Pearce, T.C. Batchelor, I.S. Wagner and Harmon Dixon. A committee consisting of Gasper Henninger, S.L. Bolser and H.T. Wagner was appointed to engage music. On motion of Harmon Dixon the proceedings of this meeting were ordered published in the county papers. On motion of James H. Meek the meeting adjourned to meet on next Saturday night, September 20, in the court house for the purpose of electing officers and transacting other business.
    It is earnestly requested that all the old soldiers of Vernon township attend the meeting on the evening of the 20th, and take part in electing the officers. Daniel Bacon, chmn., Irby S. Wagner, secy.

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    Will the enrolling officers of Marion, Montgomery, Campbell and Columbia townships favor us with an early report of enlistments for the Reunion. We want to publish a complete list of soldiers in the county. Please write name and number of regiment plainly.

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    It is desired that as many as possible of those above named meet at the school house in Queensville, on Saturday night, September 20th, to arrange for attending the Reunion at North Vernon on October 11th. OSCAR COWELL, Enrolling Officer.

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Additional names of Spencer township soldiers, furnished by S.W. Harding, Enrolling Officer;
Thomas Murray, 16th Ind.
John Donahue, 33d Ind.
John Emly, 82d Ind.
G.A. Leonard, 82d Ind.
    An organization was effected at the meeting in Hardenburg, on last Saturday night. Last we printed "W. H. Wiles, 48th Ohio;" it should have been C.H. Wiles.

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    Pursuant to an invitation given by commanding officer, representatives from the different committees and a large number of soldiers met in the Good Templars' Hall.
    The meeting was called to order by Col. Tripp, when Capt. A. W. Brown was elected chairman and H. C. Smith, secretary.
    After a general interchange of views it was by an unanimous vote decided that a dinner would be spread upon the grounds free for all soldiers, and to assist in the accomplishment of which it was resolved that the ladies of Vernon and North Vernon be earnestly requested to unite with the soldiers and assist in procuring provisions necessary for the carrying out of this part of the programme.
    On motion the following committee for North Vernon was appointed: Mrs. Col. Tripp, Mrs. M.J. Gooding, Mrs. Lew Hill, Mrs. Mettie Grinstead, Mrs. Joseph Peitzuch, Mrs. V. Hodshire, Miss Ida Weber and Miss Lizzie Adams, and that they be empowered to call to their assistance all those who could and would devote a portion of their time to this cause.
    On motion Capt. Boyer, W. S. Prather, C.D. Shank and Harmon Dixon were appointed a committee to procure badges.
    Mark Robinson was selected to act as Chaplain.
    On motion W. S. Prather, Irby Wagner and F.W. Verbarg were appointed committee on decoration.
    On motion it was resolved that the citizens and merchants of Vernon and North Vernon be and the same are hereby most earnestly requested to decorate their dwelling and places of business with flags, evergreens, mottos, etc., on the day of the reunion.
    On motion meeting adjourned subject to the call of the commanding officer.
A.W. Brown, Pres.
H.C. Smith, Sec'y.

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    The committee on badges have determined to use a small flag, 2 by 5 inches, with the regiment and State printed thereon. These badges will be furnished by W.S. Prather, at the post office. Enrolling officers of the various townships will please call on him early and secure badges for their men. G.W. Boyer, C.D. Shank, W.S. Prather, Harmon Dixon
align="center" width="20%" color="#000000" />     Center Township Company will form at the city hall on Saturday, 27th inst., at 3 o'clock, for the purpose of drilling. Bring your guns. P.C. McGannon. Captain

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    We are requested by John H. Cox enrolling officer, to state that the soldiers of Bigger township will meet at San Jacinto on Saturday, September 27th at 7 o'clock in the evening, to make arrangements to attend the Reunion.

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    There will be a meeting of all the ex-soldiers of Lovett, Marion, and Montgomery townships at Commiskey, on Friday, September 26th, at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, for the purpose of organizing for the Reunion.

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    All soldiers who served in the cavalry are requested to meet at the city hall in North Vernon, on Saturday, 27th inst., at 1 o'clock sharp, for the purpose of organizing a battalion. The sabres and accoutrements have been obtained and will be furnished to all who turn out. Come out everybody.
F.W. VERBARG, HARMON DIXON, And many others.

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  Resolved, That the soldiers present tender to Mrs. M. A. Leavitt their sincere thanks for the beautiful poem with which she has so kindly and ably entertained us to-day.

The Drill and Sham Battle

   At the time fixed the soldiers reparied to that part of the grounds where their guns were stacked and at once engaged in drill under command of Col. Tripp, Major Spencer, Capt's McGannon, Carver, Brougher, Ranft, Lieutenants Hill, Harding, Pearce and others, and Sergeant Gallagher. The crowd was so immense as to seriously impede the marching and counter marching, and for a time it was almost impossible to go through the maneuvers. The cavalry appeared and took its station at the east end of the grounds, a larger space was cleared, with some difficulty however, for all present were excited at the prospect of seeing a representation of a battle, and all was ready for a fray. The cavalry was commanded by officers F. W. Verbarg and Harmon Dixon. It had not been at all arranged which party-infantry or cavalry should acknowledge defear, which made the matter more particularly interesting to the soldiery. All at once, without announcement, a charge was made by the horsemen, the infantry prepared to meet them. As they closed in the crack of musketry, the shouts of command, the yells of the men, the tramp of horses, the rattle of steel bayonet against sabre made that an exciting moment as our people had ever seen. The opposing troops came to close quarters, made imaginery attack and defense, and the horse were routed, pursued, and several captures made. The shouts of applause from the multitude were uproarious. The surging mass was wonderfully excited and pleased. In the fight two or three men were unhorsed, and two horses slightly wounded by bayonet thrusts, and that was all the casualtes. Another attack would have been made, this time by the infantry but the crowd pressed around so closely that it was feared there would not be sufficient space for the recounter and the idea was abandoned and arms stacked.
   So far in our report of the proceedings we have said nothing about music. There was plenty of it. The two brass bands accompanied the soldiers in the procession and blowed and blowed until every soul was stirred and heart fired with enthusiasm. Military bands were here to the number of half a dozen or more and they made music by the wholesale. When the brass bands were not playing the military bands were, and music was heard from every quarter all day.
   Carried out its part of the programme faithfuly by firing salutes at the different times appointed in the programme.
  Capt. P. C. McGannon exerted himself through the day so much that his old wounds troubled him seriously and for several days after he was almost disabled.

  Sergeant-Major Oliver played the part of an Absaolom (almost) during the moving of the procession, losing his plume and hat in a tree as he rode under it.

  H.C. Smith the architect of the arch on north Fifth street and the arch itself were serenaded on Friday evening after its finish, by the North Vernon Brass Band.

  Gasper Hemberger was one of the most patreotic boys in town. In building arches, &c., he was ever ready to offer help.

  Bigger township sent a represtative of the navy dressed in full uniform.

  The colored boys of North Vernon made over 2,000 blank cartridges for use in the sham battle.

  The arch at the postoffice was built by the individual efforts and expense of J.C. Cope, L.H. Hill and W.S. Prather. The arch over Fifth street was built by H.C. Smith, the expenses being footed by Wilkerson, Doll, Dickerson, Alley, F.W. and Gus Verbarg.

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