16th Reunion, August 20th, 1890, Belle Center, Ohio. From the minutes: ...A beautiful letter of friendship was read from our Regimental Surgeon Robt. J. Hill of St. Louis, Mo. who had found it impossible to meet with us, and expressive of his deep regret in not being able to be present in person on this occasion, and of the esteem he still had for the comrades of the old regiment. The following is an extract from his letter: "Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to be with you. I can truthfully say, there is no body of men for whom I have so great a reverence, so warm an attachment, so brotherly a love, as for this remnant of the old, beloved 45th Regiment." The Doctor express a hope to be with us at no distant reunion. President Cline then called upon our old Color Sergeant, Comrade A.G. Heath, who he had called into the stand, to make a speech, who very indignantly demurred against being called on to make a speech when he had no speech to make, and had not even been asked until now to say anything; but promised to the "Boys" that he would get up a speech for them on some future occasion. A poem of merit on "Loyal Women" was then recited with affect by the daughter of Comrade Wilson. Next thing on the program was dinner, in which all seemed willing to participate, none waiting for a second invitation, but moved forward to the scene of action with a settled purpose to their whole duty. The dinner was ample and was well served by the ladies of Belle Center, assisted by members of Relief Corps from Bellefontaine, to all of whom our best thanks are due. At 2:30 PM order was called, the minutes of the last meeting read by the Secretary, which were upon motion approved. Roll call showed seventy-six (76) comrades present, who were members of the 45th Regt. Several comrades from other Regiments, and delegations from various Relief Corps of Logan Co. were present, and added to the interest of the occasion. The regular annual address to the association was then delivered by Ref. G.L. Kalb D.D. of Bellefontaine which abounded with good things, -- incidents and reminiscences of the early history of the war, and connected with the recruiting and organization of the 45th Regt. Comrade Amos Wroten having arrived on the ground, came forward on request of the President and stated his reason for not being present to respond to the address of welcome, stating that he had, as an undertaker, to attend to the burial of a young lady, which excuse was accepted. ...This meeting was one of the most enjoyable ones. It was held in the grove where seats were prepared and a stand erected for the speakers upon which was placed the tattered but dear old Flag of the Regt. around which we had rallied on so many battlefields. By the side of the Flag was the old bullet-pierced Banner, which looked like the face of a familiar friend. In the back ground was placed the new Flag and Banner (as we termed them) with some of the leading Battles in which we participated inscribed on its folds, and near-by was the new banner with the eagle upon it. The two sets of colors seem to point out the two sides of a soldier's life. The former speaks of weary marches, of desperate charges, of booming cannon and flashing bayonets, of shot and shell, of grape and cannister, and rifle ball, of gaping wounds and dying comrades, of thinning ranks, of victory or defeat; the other of dress parade with white gloves, of shining guns and bright uniforms, of nicely adjusted sashes and glittering swords, of happy salutes to field and staff on prancing chargers. We ask ourselves the question which is most to be admired, and the answer comes, the old battle-scarred flag, representing the fierce conflict which brought this cruel war to a speedy termination. Thank God it is over, our cause has triumphed, everybody is too full of gratitude for utterance, no one attempts to confine the tide of his emotions to the narrow channel of a few feeble words, and without note or comment we quietly disperse at 4 p.m... J.R. Smith, Sec. 18th Annual Reunion, August 17th, 1892, Degraff, Ohio ...Met in executive session in M.E. Church at 10 o'clock AM. Meeting called to order by Comrade Rea. Song "America" by male quartette. The Mayor A.B. Huston delivered the address of welcome. Response by Comrade J.R. Smith. Song by quartette. Comrade A. Wroten was chosen Secretary, Tickets were then distributed to all comrades present for dinner. "Marching through Georgia" was then sung by the comrades led by Comrade Charlie Durfee. Adjourned to dinner. 24th Reunion, August 8th, 1897, Urbana, Ohio. John P. Neer, of Co, H. gave the following speech: ...My comrades of the 45th and friends. You are all aware that I am no speaker and I do not intend to try to make a speech. But I will give you some statistics of the old regiment that I think will interest most of you. Thirty-five years ago tomorrow we were mustered into service at Camp Chase, Ohio, 960 strong, rank & file. During our service we had added to our number 169 recruits making a total of 1129. In June 1865 we had 354 of the original members to be mustered out, and 107 recruits which were transferred to the 51st regiment OVI. From August 19th 1862 when we were mustered in until June 12th 1865 when we were discharged we lost by death 310 men, of those 24 were killed, 23 died of wounds, 101 of disease, one drowned and 150 died either in rebel prisons or shortly after being released from the causes produced by starvation and mistreatment while in those prisons. Of the men who died in prisons, 83 were captured Oct. 20th 1863, near Philadelphia, Tenn., 45 Nov. 15th 1863 near Knoxville, Tenn. and 10 Nov. 14th 1863. ...We had 274 men captured during the war and 262 of those were captured from the 20th of Oct. 1863 to November 18th 1863, both days inclusive. Nearly three out of every five that were captured gave up their lives for their country in rebel pens, and of those who were taken prisoners on November 15th, nearly seven out of every nine died in rebel prisons. During the three years of the conflict in which we were engaged, we formed ties of friendship which death alone will break, the thinner grow our ranks, the stronger seem those ties. My comrades, I rejoice today to see so many of you here to enjoy this reunion and rejoice together that we are permitted to meet under the Stars & Stripes for which you all did you part to preserve, and that Old Glory may ever be permitted to wave over the "land of the free and the home of the brave". ...At one o'clock the meeting was called to order by President Comrade John P. Neer. "America" was sung by Comrade S.B. Price of W.A. Brand Post GAR, the audience joining in the chorus. The meeting was then opened with prayer by Rev. J.G. Vaughan of Grace M.E. Church. The welcome address was delivered by Comrade D.W. Todd of W.A. Brand Post. Response by comrade J.R. Smith of Bellefontaine. The song "Battle Cry of Freedom" was rendered by Comrade Price assisted by the audience... |
16th Reunion, August 20th, 1890, Belle Center, Ohio. From the minutes: ...A beautiful letter of friendship was read from our Regimental Surgeon Robt. J. Hill of St. Louis, Mo. who had found it impossible to meet with us, and expressive of his deep regret in not being able to be present in person on this occasion, and of the esteem he still had for the comrades of the old regiment. The following is an extract from his letter: "Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to be with you. I can truthfully say, there is no body of men for whom I have so great a reverence, so warm an attachment, so brotherly a love, as for this remnant of the old, beloved 45th Regiment." The Doctor express a hope to be with us at no distant reunion. President Cline then called upon our old Color Sergeant, Comrade A.G. Heath, who he had called into the stand, to make a speech, who very indignantly demurred against being called on to make a speech when he had no speech to make, and had not even been asked until now to say anything; but promised to the "Boys" that he would get up a speech for them on some future occasion. A poem of merit on "Loyal Women" was then recited with affect by the daughter of Comrade Wilson. Next thing on the program was dinner, in which all seemed willing to participate, none waiting for a second invitation, but moved forward to the scene of action with a settled purpose to their whole duty. The dinner was ample and was well served by the ladies of Belle Center, assisted by members of Relief Corps from Bellefontaine, to all of whom our best thanks are due. At 2:30 PM order was called, the minutes of the last meeting read by the Secretary, which were upon motion approved. Roll call showed seventy-six (76) comrades present, who were members of the 45th Regt. Several comrades from other Regiments, and delegations from various Relief Corps of Logan Co. were present, and added to the interest of the occasion. The regular annual address to the association was then delivered by Ref. G.L. Kalb D.D. of Bellefontaine which abounded with good things, -- incidents and reminiscences of the early history of the war, and connected with the recruiting and organization of the 45th Regt. Comrade Amos Wroten having arrived on the ground, came forward on request of the President and stated his reason for not being present to respond to the address of welcome, stating that he had, as an undertaker, to attend to the burial of a young lady, which excuse was accepted. ...This meeting was one of the most enjoyable ones. It was held in the grove where seats were prepared and a stand erected for the speakers upon which was placed the tattered but dear old Flag of the Regt. around which we had rallied on so many battlefields. By the side of the Flag was the old bullet-pierced Banner, which looked like the face of a familiar friend. In the back ground was placed the new Flag and Banner (as we termed them) with some of the leading Battles in which we participated inscribed on its folds, and near-by was the new banner with the eagle upon it. The two sets of colors seem to point out the two sides of a soldier's life. The former speaks of weary marches, of desperate charges, of booming cannon and flashing bayonets, of shot and shell, of grape and cannister, and rifle ball, of gaping wounds and dying comrades, of thinning ranks, of victory or defeat; the other of dress parade with white gloves, of shining guns and bright uniforms, of nicely adjusted sashes and glittering swords, of happy salutes to field and staff on prancing chargers. We ask ourselves the question which is most to be admired, and the answer comes, the old battle-scarred flag, representing the fierce conflict which brought this cruel war to a speedy termination. Thank God it is over, our cause has triumphed, everybody is too full of gratitude for utterance, no one attempts to confine the tide of his emotions to the narrow channel of a few feeble words, and without note or comment we quietly disperse at 4 p.m... J.R. Smith, Sec. 18th Annual Reunion, August 17th, 1892, Degraff, Ohio ...Met in executive session in M.E. Church at 10 o'clock AM. Meeting called to order by Comrade Rea. Song "America" by male quartette. The Mayor A.B. Huston delivered the address of welcome. Response by Comrade J.R. Smith. Song by quartette. Comrade A. Wroten was chosen Secretary, Tickets were then distributed to all comrades present for dinner. "Marching through Georgia" was then sung by the comrades led by Comrade Charlie Durfee. Adjourned to dinner. 24th Reunion, August 8th, 1897, Urbana, Ohio. John P. Neer, of Co, H. gave the following speech: ...My comrades of the 45th and friends. You are all aware that I am no speaker and I do not intend to try to make a speech. But I will give you some statistics of the old regiment that I think will interest most of you. Thirty-five years ago tomorrow we were mustered into service at Camp Chase, Ohio, 960 strong, rank & file. During our service we had added to our number 169 recruits making a total of 1129. In June 1865 we had 354 of the original members to be mustered out, and 107 recruits which were transferred to the 51st regiment OVI. From August 19th 1862 when we were mustered in until June 12th 1865 when we were discharged we lost by death 310 men, of those 24 were killed, 23 died of wounds, 101 of disease, one drowned and 150 died either in rebel prisons or shortly after being released from the causes produced by starvation and mistreatment while in those prisons. Of the men who died in prisons, 83 were captured Oct. 20th 1863, near Philadelphia, Tenn., 45 Nov. 15th 1863 near Knoxville, Tenn. and 10 Nov. 14th 1863. ...We had 274 men captured during the war and 262 of those were captured from the 20th of Oct. 1863 to November 18th 1863, both days inclusive. Nearly three out of every five that were captured gave up their lives for their country in rebel pens, and of those who were taken prisoners on November 15th, nearly seven out of every nine died in rebel prisons. During the three years of the conflict in which we were engaged, we formed ties of friendship which death alone will break, the thinner grow our ranks, the stronger seem those ties. My comrades, I rejoice today to see so many of you here to enjoy this reunion and rejoice together that we are permitted to meet under the Stars & Stripes for which you all did you part to preserve, and that Old Glory may ever be permitted to wave over the "land of the free and the home of the brave". ...At one o'clock the meeting was called to order by President Comrade John P. Neer. "America" was sung by Comrade S.B. Price of W.A. Brand Post GAR, the audience joining in the chorus. The meeting was then opened with prayer by Rev. J.G. Vaughan of Grace M.E. Church. The welcome address was delivered by Comrade D.W. Todd of W.A. Brand Post. Response by comrade J.R. Smith of Bellefontaine. The song "Battle Cry of Freedom" was rendered by Comrade Price assisted by the audience... |
Reunion of GAR Hardin County Battery, in Forest, Ohio on September 16, 1909. Among attendees were 45th OVI veterans. Contributed by Tom Osborn. |
