The Tipton Advertiser

The Reunion of the 24th Iowa Infantry.

The occasion of the gathering of the scattered membership of this organization at Cedar Rapids, on Wednesday, the 28th ult., was one of unalloyed pleasure to all concerned. The arrivals began on the evening of the 27th, and by 2 o'clock the succeeding day, about 180 were registered, being representatives from the rank and file of every company and divided among them in about the following proportion, given from memory, and only approximately correct: Field and staff, 7; N.C.S., 2; Co. "A," 2 officers and 6 men; Co. "B," 3 officers and 14 men; Co. "C," 1 officer and 11 men; Co. "D," 1 officer and 2 men; Co. "E," 1 officer and 7 men; Co. "F," 3 officers and 25 men; Co. "G," 1 officer and 31 men; Co. "H," 2 officers and 29 men; Co. "I," 1 officer and 16 men; Co. "K," 2 officers and 10 men.

It would be omitting a great, and perhaps the great feature of the day to fail to notice the greetings that were had as one after another arrived and went hand-shaking through the crowd. The company to which a man belonged would be remembered in almost every instance by his fellows, although the name might be forgotten. "Hello! Co. I," (vigorous hand shaking commenced), "I've forgotten your name." "What, don't you remember 'Captain Martin's pet'?" "O yes! How are you, Jack?" (hand-shaking continued all the time). "How are you, Co. E? What's your name?" "Why, they used to call me 'third ration of pepper;'" and recognition and great merriment would follow the introduction. So it went, frequent peals of laughter showing when a funny reminiscence or an old joke had been recalled. And often the downcast eye and subdued tone told of recollections of another character, which, sad as they might be, were not unwelcome at such an hour.

Shortly after two o'clock, the Regiment, escorted by the Cedar Rapids Post of the G.A.R.; and followed by carriages containing the ladies of the Soldiers' Aid Society, and other of the townspeople, marched through the principal streets; immediately after which they repaired to the hall and listened to an address by Rev. Mr. McGaw, formerly a chaplain of a Pennsylvania regiment. We have no time to describe Mr. McGaw's effort more than to say that it was just the thing; and was received with uproarious and long continued cheering. After this, though not according to programme, Col. Wright was called for, and fairly coerced into making a speech; which, seeing no alternative, he did in a very happy manner. This over, the Regiment once more formed in line along the street and was dismissed to "fall in" at the sound of the drum, with strict orders not to forage. At seven o'clock, upon the given signal, the Regiment "fell in," and was conducted to Brown's Hall, where its members found a splendid supper furnished and prepared by the ladies of the Aid Society; and best of all, the ladies themselves, in force, waiting to dispense their hospitality with their own hands. The Hall, which is a fine one, was tastefully and appropriately decorated, the supper was superb, and admirably served, the music furnished by the Cedar Rapids Brass Band was inspiring, every one present seemed in the very best of spirits—and what more can be said?— it was an opportunity for pleasure seldom found in one's life time; and was appreciated and improved by each and every man.

After supper interesting letters were read from Gov. Merrill, ex-Gov. Kirkwood, Gen. Baker, Gen. Geddes, and many other distinguished Iowa soldiers. Toasts and responses were the next order, and were the source of a great deal of interest and amusement, some of the latter being particularly felicitous, and greeted with shouts of laughter and applause.

Articles of Association of the purpose of effecting a permanent organization were adopted, and the following officers elected under them: President, Col. Wm. L. Wright; Vice President, Maj. L.S. Clark; Secretary, C. L. Langley; Treasurer, Surgeon J. F. Ely; Executive Committee, T. L. Smith, W. T. Rigby, W. W. Smith.

One incident happened right here worthy of note, even in these after-election days. Owing to the nature of the gathering it had been determined to keep out anything of a political character; but a report having been circulated in town that a vote on the train containing a large number of the regiment resulted in favor of Seymour, the boys insisted that a vote should be taken before they separated. It was done by standing, and resulted in finding just one solitary Seymourite. While he was standing alone in the middle of the room looking frightened enough, some one capped the climax by roaring out, "And he's a recruit."

But the last moment fled only too quickly, and the 24th separated again, every man thanking his stars that he had the good sense to come, and registering a vow to attend the next similar gathering without fail.

For the perfect success of the Reunion in all its details, the regiment is indebted to Messrs. Ely, Smith and Smouse, the local committee, upon whom fell the whole burden of the preparation. These gentlemen, as well as the kind ladies of the Aid Society, and in fact, all the many public spirited and patriotic citizens of Cedar Rapids will have a place in the grateful remembrance of every member of the 24th Iowa who had the pleasure of attending the reunion of 1868.