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A Cavalry Reunion

A Cavalry Reunion image
Parent Issue
Day
11
Month
August
Year
1899
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Held by Fighting Company D Yesterday.

OUT AT WHITMORE LAKE

When They Listened to Some Good Speaking.

There Was a Good Attendance and They Enjoyed a Fine Time - A Cousin of Stephen A. Douglas Was one of the Speakers.

Co. D, Fifth Michigan Cavalry held a very pleasant and successful reunion at Whitmore Lake yesterday, members being present from Flushing, Holly, Northville, Green Oak and other places besides many from all parts of the county. There was a good attendance not only oí members of the company, but also of other veterans from the neighborhood of Whitmore Lake. In the morning the veterans assembled at the home of Comrade Rane, where they spent several pleasant hours in renewing old acquaintances and telling stories of war time days.

After dinner at the Stevens house the exercises were held there, Hon. George S. Wheeler presiding. The program opened with the singing of America by the entire audience, after which W. K. Childs, of Ann Arbor, delivered a stirring address, which was well received. He was followed by Wm. W. Wedemeyer, of this city, who made a very happy, logical and forceful address which was well received by those present. 

Then followed a number of very interesting impromptu talks. Mrs. J. Willard Babbitt spoke in a pleasing way of the work of the W. R C. Corurade Lowden read a paper, the substance of which will be given in these columns tomorrow. Captain Quackenbush, of the 3d Michigan Cavalry, was present and was enthusiastically greeted by his comrades of the 5th when he made a few very appropriate remarks praising their work in the war. Among the most interesting impromptu addresses was that of O. O. Douglass, of Green Oak, who made a very stirring talk. Mr. Douglass is well known to many Ann Arbor citizens, having sent a number of children to the university. His father was a first cousin of Stephen A. Douglass, and the old veteran remembers very well his being carried as a boy upon the back of the great democratic leader. Captain Simonds, who is a universal favorite with the old boys of Co. D, spoke earnestly of the duty and the destiny of the republic, and took ground in favor of the expansion policy of the administration. Prof. F. W. Rane, of New Hampshire College, son of Comrade Rane, of Co. D, was called upon and made a very neat talk, praising the work of the G. A. R. and emphasizing the lasting influence it has for good.

After other short talks by members of the company, secretary Henry M. White read a large number of letters from those who were unable to be present at the reunion. All these letters breathed the spirit of patriotism and loyalty, and were eagerly listened to by the comrades present.

The veterans were very enthusiastic whenever the name of Gen. Alger was mentioned. They sent the ex-secretary a very cordial greeting and adopted resolutions commending his career as a citizen and soldier. Gen. Alger was at one time colonel of the 5th Cavalry, and was very much beloved by his men.

It was decided to hold the next reunion at Northville. The following were selected officers of the organization or the ensuing year: President, James K. Lowden; vice president, Eli K. Simonds; secretary, Henry M. White; treasurer, E. K. Starkweather.

After the election of officers all were invited over to the home of Comrade Rane, where a nice lunch was served. After some time spent in further story telling and conversation, the comrades dispersed to their homes with the feeling that the reunion had been in every respect a most pleasant and successful one.