REUNION NEWS
From the Clinton Public
Submitted by Judy Simpson
May 24, 1878
The reunion of Illinois veterans at Springfield yesterday was a grand success. The capital city did honor to itself in the way it managed the whole affair. Clinton was represented, but not as fully as it would have been had the Central company made it known that half-fare rates could be had. The Twentieth Regiment was represented by Surgeon GOODBRAKE, Major WARNER, Private W. R. KELLY, and two others not belonging to this county. The 107th was represented by Surgeon WRIGHT, Captain Thomas ROSE, and Private Joseph MERRITT of Taylorsville. The veterans of the two regiments carried the flags by turns.
October 25, 1878
The soldiers' reunion at Decatur last week proved to be an unfortunate affair for three of the men who had charge of the cannon. The first accident happened to James N. WILSON. He was driving home the charge when a premature explosion occurred and shattered his right arm, which had to be amputated at the shoulder. Then Tom PENNIWELL, formerly a resident of this city, took Wilson's place at the cannon, and in a short time another premature explosion took place and Tom's hand was shattered. His arm had to be amputated at the elbow. The third victim, who was thumbing the vent, had his thumb so badly burned that it had to be taken off by the doctors. Tom Penniwell will be remembered as having been engaged in the produce business in this city some years ago, and afterward as an agent for a Decatur marble yard.
REUNION OF THE 107TH REGIMENT.
The 107th Illinois was substantially a DeWitt county regiment, for it had its origin in Clinton, and six of the ten companies were recruited in this county, the other four coming from Piatt county. The surviving members of the regiment are making arrangements to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the organization, and to this end committees have been busy for the past few weeks sending out invitations to absent members who have removed from the county. The celebration will be held at the fair grounds, on the 4th of October. At ten o’clock the members of the regiment will form on the public square and march out to the fair grounds. Gen. White, of Chicago, will be present and deliver an address, and the Rev. John Wolf and the Rev. Levi Field will be prepared to give the history of the regiment. A general invitation is extended to all to attend, and as it is to be a basket picnic everybody is expected to come prepared. The occasion promises to be an interesting one, and we hope that our county will be well represented.
Friday, October 5, 1894
HE BOYS OF SIXTY-TWO
Annual Reunion of the 107th Illinois Infantry.
The Roll Call Shows How Rapidly the Veterans Are Being Mustered Out.
There is something pathetic in the annual reunion of the veterans of the last war. The men whose heads are now covered with the frosts of time and march with slow and faltering step were bright, active young fellows thirty-three years ago when Good old "Father Abraham" issued his first call for seventy-five thousand men, and followed it for "three hundred thousand more." The men and women of today who have the age of forty years have reached no realization of what war was for they were only about ten years old "When Johnny came marching home again." The men and women who are now thirty years old were born at the close of the war and know nothing of it except as they hear or read of it in song and story. The old boys who wore the blue belong to a past generation, and the truth of the matter is there is very little veneration for them in the hearts of the rising generation. Were it not for the annual decoration day and occasional regimental or company reunion the loyal soldiers of the war of the rebellion would soon be forgotten. It is not a pleasant thought to us old fellows, but there is a world of sober truth in it.
But let us forget all that and turn to the bright side which the reunion of the One Hundred and Seventh has brought out of the shadow.
Thirty-two years ago on the fourth of September this regiment was mustered into the service of the United States for three years or during the war, numbering one thousand strong. Every company had its maximum number. Of the ten companies, six were recruited from this county. Colonel Snell was the first commanding officer of the regiment; Joseph J. Kelly the first Lieutenant-Colonel. At the muster-out of the regiment on the 21st of June, 1865, Lieutenant-Colonel Mulholland was in command. On the 30th of September, 1862, the regiment left Illinois, and its first active service was hunting up General John Morgan. The first time the regiment was under fire was at Louden, Tenn., where one man was killed and a number wounded. At the battle of Franklin the regiment captured two stands of rebel flags and lost their own colors for a moment, but were quickly recovered by Bailey Walker, of Co. G, who killed the rebel that seized them. While the One Hundred and Seventh had its share of battles, having gone through the South from Kentucky to North Carolina in its three years of marching and fighting, yet it miraculously escaped the showers of shot and shell that flew fast and thick over and around it during some of the hardest and most desperate battles of the war.
At the reunion, which began Wednesday and lasted two days, over one hundred of the old comrades answered to their names at roll-call. They met on the public square and marched out to Colonel Snell's grove, where ample arrangements had been made for the accommodation of the city's guests. Those who had flags floated them to the breeze. At the head of the column was a fife and drum corps composed of John Stoker, O. A. Hoyt, John McPherson, all three of whom beat up for recruits thirty-two years ago when the One Hundred and Seventh was organized. "Bill" Eatherton, Mont. Taylor and Lesley Ennis, who was a drummer boy in the regiment, made out the rest of the drum corps. Tall and stately Captain Ford carried "Old Glory" at the head of the column, and George Scott was commanding officer for the day. The old fellows stepped to the music of the "sheepskin" band and felt as proud of their record as they did thirty-two years ago when they fell into line.
Out at the grove the Clinton glee club, assisted by a number of ladies, sang the camp songs of other days, which were music to the ears of the old boys and called up memories of the march and the battlefield. Nathan M. Barnett made the speech of welcome to his old comrades and he talked well. Wm. E. Taylor, of Danville, briefly responded. Then came the roll-call and the absentees accounted for. A majority of them had answered the final roll-call and were mustered out. The memorial services were conducted by Comrade W. E. Taylor.
From noon till the evening exercises were varied with feasting, songs and speeches. Under the management of the Woman's Relief Corps, tables were spread in the groves, and every dish was fit for an epicure. The aroma from the coffee kettles was like the fragrance of wild flowers in the early spring, filling the air. This feasting was repeated in the evening and then at noon the next day, the old soldiers being the guests of comrades and citizens for the night and breakfast Thursday morning. Rev. John B. Wolfe kept very close to the platter of fried chicken, and but few of his comrades got even an opportunity to dip their fingers into the brown and savory pile. By the way, the One Hundred and Seventh was noticed for its love of chickens during the war, and this probably accounts for the number of its members who are now preachers. They got a taste for chicken then which could only be fully gratified later in life at the expense of the church.
Owing to the cold change in the weather the camp fire at night was transferred from the grove to the Leavitt & Oglevee hall. At an early hour in the evening the hall was crowded. The singers were there and sang during the intervals of speeches. Brief talks were made by Captain John M. Lewis, Kansas; Rev. J. B. Wolfe, Bloomington; Dr. Mitchell, Bement; Captain Al. Blackford, Chicago; Colonel Pash Warner, Clinton.
On Thursday morning the business meeting was held, when the following officers were elected for the year: President, George W. Scott; Vice-President, J. D. Ford; Secretary, Dr. D. W. Edmiston; Treasurer, Charles K. Zorger. Company Secretaries---A, G. W. Scott; B, Cyrus Jones; C, W. F. McMillan; D, Frank Swisher; E, Wm. McCann; F, Wm. Tackwell; G, C. L. Robbins; H, R. H. Alexander; I, Henry Funk; K, S. M. Funk. Historians, Rev. Levi Field and Rev. Dr. J. B. Wolfe.
The next annual reunion will be held at Mansfield, the time to be set by the following committee: W. F. McMillan, Wm. Armstrong, M. J. Vannote.
On Thursday afternoon Dr. Wolfe delivered an able address, setting forth the duties of the soldier and the citizen, which was listened to by a large and attentive audience, and at the close of which the pleasant services of the reunion came to an end. The two days spent by the veterans in Clinton this week will long be remembered.
The committee feels thankful for the favors received, which they express in the following resolutions:
The Veteran Association of the One Hundred and Seventh Illinois desire to thank the people of Clinton and DeWitt County for their liberal donations and assistance to our association in their Reunion of Wednesday and Thursday of this week; and especially do we desire to doubly thank the good women of the Relief Corps and others for coming on our camp ground, in Colonel Snell's Grove, and taking charge of and arranging the provisions and the tables. The members of the Association can never forget the kindness shown them on this occasion by the ladies of Clinton and vicinity. Hoping that we may be able some time to repay you for your kindness, we remain yours with respect.
Committee,
REGIMENTAL ROSTER
Thomas Snell, Colonel
A.
James Brown, Geo. W. Scott,
W. L. Williams, Miles B. Brown,
Aaron Upton, J. K. Scroggins,
James H. Price, James Butterworth,
Isam Stantifer, W. L. Todd
B.
A. G. Farris, Thos. J. Argo,
C. K. Zorger, Peter H. Bowles,
John B. Wolfe, R. H. Watson,
Wm. T. Watson, Frank May,
John Gaston, Lyman Barnett,
Jacob May, Milton R. Colwell,
Cyrus Jones, Frank R. Cisco,
O. A. Hoyt, John M. Jones,
Maris Walden
C.
W. H. Plunk, A. T. Ross,
Wm. F. McMillin, J. T. Bush,
B. F. Cresop, David J. Ford
D.
N. M. Barnett, David Cackley,
J. A. Morland, Geo. Clifton,
Wm. Armstrong, Thos. J. Davenport,
Thos. D. Bryant, C. J. Clifton,
E. Sylvester, V. B. Clifton,
J. F. Swisher, James E. Longbrake,
Geo. F. Davenport
E.
J. C. Hunt, W. F. Funk,
E. A. Welch, Wm. McCann,
J. V. Miles, Wm. C. Hubbart,
John Rasbach
F.
A. J. Blackford, Wm. Wolliver,
John D. Graham, H. H. Beal,
L. B. Spencer, R. H. Wise,
Allen Spainhour, John Pennington,
Geo. Cross, James D. Spencer,
James C. Carlock, Miles Reed,
William Tackwell, Wm. Dillavou,
Millington Harp
A splendid group picture of Co. F was taken. Each member of the
company procured a copy of the same, which they prize very highly.
G.
C. L. Robbins, Samuel McNier,
Joseph Marsh, L. Ennis,
R. H. Flood, Chester Cowles,
J. P. North, John T. Emery,
W. H. Taylor, Jonathan Field,
Henry Myers, Mrs. Z. C. Weedman,
Thos. Baldwin, Mrs. Susan Wa*t*n
H.
A. J. Williams, J. M. Clapp,
R. Alexander, Peter Mossbarger,
Willard Musson, T. J. Mitchell,
I. Creek
I.
Richard Skelley, J. A. Zimmerman,
David Lowry, R. S. Riggs,
Preston Jones, M. J. Vannote,
S. Johnson, John Holloway,
A. J. Krepps, A. McCoy,
W. L. Drybread.
K.
S. M. Jones J. McCallister
W. H. Gale James Shepard
[I guess these are miscellaneous guests.]
G. H. D. Reed, 1st Iowa Battery
Benj. Smith, D 63d Ill.
Geo Watson, E 82d Ill.
E. K. Jennings, K 26th Ill.
S. Isenhour, 19th Ind. Battery
Am. Cousins, G. 145th Ill.
Franklin M. Davis, 2d Ill. Artillery
J. C. Stoker, drummer from 1861
Henry Cunningham, F 143d Ill.
Joseph O. Hagland, C 6th Ill. Cavalry
James Franklin, E 20th Ill.
Joe Cheek, E 54th Mass.
H. M. Morris, A 21st Ohio Inf.
Richard McCumber, E 95th Ohio
Peter Clavier, B 114th Ill.
Henry C. Henson, E 58th Ill.
Parker W. Adams, Miss. River Marine Brig.
F. C. Taylor, G Inf. Miss. River Marine Brig.
J. M. Emerick, E 95th Ohio
Abraham Hinkle, F 2d Ill. Battery
Abraham Newton, C 79th Ohio
John B. Trent, I 113th Ill.
S. A. Edwards, C 25th Maine
B. F. D***ain, E 7th Ill.
Dan'l S. Gardner, C 7th Ill.
John Craft, E 133d Ill.
The fifth reunion of the Forty-first Illinois Infantry was held at Decatur yesterday. At the roll-call the following DeWitt county men answered to their names: Henry LUDWICK, Clinton; L. RICHARDS and Samuel WILSON, Waynesville; C. L. DEMENT, Hallsville; I. M. JONES, DeWitt; T. E. SMITH, Clinton; James GIBSON, J. T. DILLAVOU, H. DAVENPORT, Hugh THOMPSON, Lane; W. H. HUNT, Kenney. The vets had a grand time of it and decided to meet next year in Clinton. The following officers were elected: W. H. TAYLOR, Clinton, President; I. M. JONES, DeWitt, Vice-President; A. D. McHENRY, Clinton, Secretary and Treasurer.
Friday, October 20, 1899
Clinton Register
Clinton, Illinois
REUNION AT WELDON.
The 107th And 26th Illinois Volunteers Join in Annual Meeting at Weldon.
The reunion of the 107th and 26th regiments at Weldon this week was one of the best held of late years. There were about 200 old soldiers present, about 90 of whom were members of the 107th Robert FLOOD, pres., and Silas HAND, sec., both of Weldon, did all in their power to make the meeting pleasant for the boys, and they succeeded better than they had anticipated, and the old soldiers have many words of praise for the enterprising and hospitable residents of Weldon and vicinity.
The new officers elected are as follows: Chas. K. ZORGER, Clinton, pres.; Cyrus JONES, Clinton, sec.; Col. Snell, Clinton, treas.
The secretaries of the 107th are the following: Joseph SCOGIN, company A, Wapella; Cyrus JONES, B, Clinton; E. MARQUIS, C, Monticello; C. F. SWISHER, D, Clinton; E. T. DRESBACK, E, Clinton; J. D. Graham, F, Lane; C. L. ROBBINS, G, Pekin; John WILLIAMS, H, Monticello; H. FUNK, I, Farmer City; E. McKINNEY, J, Cerro Gordo.
The next meeting will be held in Clinton, date to be selected.
Submitted by Sheryl Byrd