Third Reunion

AT MILLERSBURG, O., AUGUST 10th and 11th, 1876

The 16th Ohio Volunteer Infantry held their Third Reunion at Millersburg, on Thursday and Friday, August 10th and 11th, 1875 (6). Great preparations had been made by the citizens of Holmes County to receive them. By Thursday noon a large number of the soldiers had arrived, and at 3 o'clock they met in American Hall and held a business meeting.

The decoration of soldiers' graves being next in order, the Association adjuourned to meet at 8 o'clock P. M.

The Regiment, headed by the Band, and a large number of ladies, proceeded to the Cemetery and decorated the graves of the fallen heroes who were buried there, including a number of the 16th Regiment. The procession formed around a mound in the centre of the Cemetery, when the ladies, in squads, repaired to their respective avenues, and scattered sweet flowers over the graves of the fallen heroes. While this was being done, the Band from the top of the mound played some solemn dirges. When the ladies returned from the graves, the following beautiful song was sung by four voices, T. B. Cunningham, L. B. Bird, J. B. Heffelfinger and Miss Nellie Raiff. During the singing there was scarcely a dry eye in the regiment and a death-like stillness fell upon the whole assembly:

SCATTER SWEET FLOWERS O'ER THE DEAD.

Gone from the world and its pain,
Gone from the burden and strife;
Never to sorrow again,
Plodding the journey of life;
While o'er the meadow and vale
Lillies and daisies are spread;
Breathe each dear name to the gale;
Scatter sweet flowers o'er the dead!

CHORUS--Over the spot where they sleep,
Softly and mournfully tread;
Vigils of memory keep;
Scatter sweet flowers o'er the dead;

Call'd from the tumult away,
Gentle and calm is their rest;
Fondly the light of the day
Each mossy pillow hath press'd.
Brightly the dew-drops of night
Weep from the skies overhead;
Come in Spring's rosy light;
Scatter sweet flowers o'er the dead!

CHORUS--Over the &c.

Still in our love and our pride,
Prescious their mem'ry we keep;
Oft by their graves' mossy side
Tears of affection we weep;
Over the loved ones and dear;
Tributes of mem'ry we spread;
Linger in tenderness near;
Scatter sweet flow'rs o'er the dead!

CHORUS--Over the &c.

After the singing of the above song, Rev. B. F. Crouse made the following feeling and remarks:

(full transcription forthcoming)

The band played another appropriate piece, after which the procession moved out of the cemetery, and marched down to the old Graveyard near the U. P. Church, where lie the remains of Peter Meyer, a soldier who had fought in the Revolutionary War, in the war of 1812, and also in the Indian war. Flowers were scattered upon his grave in profusion in honor of the many battle scars which he carried to his grave. The procession then marched back in front of the American Hall where it was dismissed.

Pursuant to adjournment, the Association met at 8 o'clock. Minutes of the last reunion were read and approved.

On motion, it was decided to hold the Fourth reunion in two years.

The place of holding the next reunion was made special order of business for to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock. One member from each company was appointed a commmittee to report where the next Reunion should be held.

S. M. Coe presented the following preamble and resolution which was adopted:

WHEREAS, Mrs. Dr. Brashear is unavoidably prevented from being present with us here at our Reunion, and that her pleasant and genial countenance always gave to our weary hearts, during our campaigns, a bracing relief, and courage to persevere and endure the fatigues that our country called us to perform. Therefore, be it

RESOLVED--That the 16th Ohio, in Reunion assembled, send greeting to Mrs. Dr. Brashear their heartfelt gratitude, while they rembmer her cordial, kind and hospitable attentions, that she at all times, when present with us, never failed to bestow upon the needy, whether in camp, on the weary march, or in the hospital.

The following resolution was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED--By members of the 16th O. V. I., and other soldiers assembled at Millersburg, in Reunion, that their grateful thanks are due to the citizens of Millersburg and Holmes county, for the cordial welcome and magnificent hospitality that they have enjoyed.

On motion, it was determined that a written history be prepared of the 16th Ohio Regiment.

The names of Dr. B. B. Brashear and Capt. A. S. McClure were suggested as historians. Dr. Brashear declined to serve, and Captain McClure was elected Regimental Historian.

One Assistant Historian was appointed from each Company, as follows:

Co. A--R. W. P. Muse, Newton, Kansas.

" B--R. Gorsuch, Paxton, Illinois.

" C--C. B. Robinson, Toledo, O.

" D--G. W. Cooper, West Carlisle, O.

" E--Theodore D. Wolbach, Wadsworth, O.

" F--William Buchanan, Wooster, O.

" G--William M. Ross, Millersburg, O.

" H--A. M. Sommers, Emporia, Kansas.

" I--S. S. Everhart, Apple Creek. O.

" K--G. W. Littell, Pike Station, O.

The following members of the Regiment reported present:

(reunion attendance pages to be developed)

On motion, the Association adjourned to meet at 8 o'clock sharp, Friday morning.

The Association met on Friday morning at 8 o'clock.

It was decided that the next Reunion should be held at West Salem, Wayne county, on Tuesday, August 6th, 1878.

The following officers were elected for the next Reunion:

PRESIDENT--J. H. Morrison.

SECRETARY--G. W. Brenizer.

ASSISTANT SECRETARIES--

Co. A--G. Playford, Zanesville, O.

" B--James Robinson, Canal Dover, O.

" C--Andrew Branstetter, Wooster, O.

" D--Charles Rony, Zanesville, O.

" E--R. W. Taneyhill, Millersburg, O.

" F--William Buchanan, Wooster, O.

" G--James B. Ross, Union City, Ind.

" H--David C. Curry, Wooster, O.

" I--Samuel S. Everhart, Apple Creek. O.

" K--M. S. Reed, Burbank, O.

TREASURER--Amos Hough, West Salem, O.

It was moved that the proceedings of this Reunion be published in the county papers of Holmes, Wayne, Clarke and Muskingum counties.

The Secretary was instructed to furnish a paper containing the proceedings to each member of the regiment.

Adjourned.

Early Friday morning the people from the country began to arrive with loads of provisions. Everybody, in town and in the country, contributed largely to the commissary department, and it was soon seen that there was enough provision to feed several thousand people.

At Half past ten o'clock the line was formed and the procession moved to Ingle's Grove. In the absence of the Regimental Chaplain, Rev. J. Matlock, the Rev. B. F. Crouse opened the exercises with prayer. As Hon. D. S. Uhl, who was to make the Reception address had not arrived upon the grounds, Dr. B. B. Brashear, Surgeon of the 16th, was called on for a few remarks. He addressed the soldiers in a very feeling manner, and when referring to some of the scenes of the past, he lost control of his feelings, and wept like a child. Those old veterans of many a hard-fought battle, sat there listening to their beloved Surgeon, who had cared for them so kindly during their service in the army, with the tears trickling down their manly faces, as the Doctor reverted to the hardships borne, and referred to their fallen comrades. Hon. D. S. Uhl, having now arrived, addressed the soldiers, welcoming them, and guaronteeing that they would be well taken care of.

The Glee Club then sang Start Spangled Banner.

The Oration was to have been delivered by Gen. G. W. Morgan, but the General owing to illness was not able to be present. Dr. J. Pomerene, Surgeon of the 42nd O. V. I., agreed to make a short address in the General's absense. He spoke as follows:

(full transcription forthcoming)

The dinner not being quite ready, a portion of the second part of the program was called. Mr. J. B. Ross responded to the toast--Officers of the Line, as follows:

(full transcription forthcoming)

Dinner was next in order. The tables were perfectly loaded with provision, and presented a very tempting appearance. The citizens of the county responded nobly to the call for provisions. The soldiers all agree in saying that their reception in Millersburg outstripped any they have ever received since the war. Over three thousand persons were fed on that day.

After dinner the soldiers and citizens again assembled around the stand and listened to the remaining exercises of the day. The Glee Club sang Victory at Last. The Toast--Non Commissioned Officers and Privates--in the absence of Capt. B. F. Heckert, was responded to by Capt. Wm. M. Ross as follow:

(full transcription forthcoming)

Rally Round the Flag Boys, was then sung, everybody joined in the chorus.

The next toast--Holmes County was responded to by M. B. DeSilva.

(full transcription forthcoming)

Capt. A. S. McClure, of Wooster, then addressed the assembly in reply to the toast The Campaigns of the 16th Regiment. The Captain spoke in his usually happy style, and entertained his hearers well during his entire address.

The meeting then adjourned and thus ended one of the most pleasant Reunions this regiment has ever held. It is estimated that at least six thousand people were in Millersburg on that day.

W. M. ROSS, President.

H. G. WHITE, Secretary.