the Union. The ladies make up about one-half of our population in number; but, in importance, they make up about four-fifths of the population of this country. We have to have them, and we can not do without them. They are the originators of tea, coffee and milk, at Army Reunions. They are the ones who do not wish us to have any thing stronger than water to drink; and they don't know how they ruin a banquet either. They are noted for their patience, they sit in these galleries while we are consuming all this bountiful array of dainties, and never a thing is said by them up there, where they can't get a thing. Except by that string, sent down by some enterprising lady, not a single morsel has been sent to them. They certainly have shown their patience here; and I do not blame them for insisting that we should not have wine when they do not have any thing.

There is another thing about these loyal women, they do not want the men to stay late at the banquet; and some of them have gone to their homes, and we ought to be there ourselves. They are the makers and breakers of hearts. They hold in their grasp the destinies of the world. They always have, and they always will-and whatever they will, they will have.

But seriously, my comrades, what can I say about these women? How well you remember the missives you received from them in the days when you were with the Army, what encouragement they brought to you as you were exposed on the fields of danger, how those lines consoled you on the tedious march, and how they were your inspiration in the time of action. No man, no matter how much he is inspired by the occasion, can ever do the subject justice. The women of America, their very natures are loyal: they are loyal to their homes, they are loyal to their country, they are loyal to their Maker. And, comrades, as we have seen by their handiwork-for with their hands they have prepared here all the comforts and pleasures that you have received they are loyal to us, and I want to say that which you will all respond to: God bless them. Let us rise here and drink-in cold water to their health. Every man- -"The Loyal Women of America."

GENERAL SHERIDAN here announced the conclusion of the exercises; then, with hearty good-bye and with promises to see each other at the next Reunion, the members of the Society parted, and the Seventeenth Reunion was ended.

LETTERS AND DISPATCHES

FROM

DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS

OF THE

ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND

AND OF

OTHER COMMANDS,

RECEIVED BY

The Local Executive Committee.

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, August 27, 1885.

The PRESIDENT has received the invitation of the

Citizens of Grand Rapids to attend the Seventeenth Annual Reunion of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, to be held there on the 16th and 17th of September, and regrets that engagements covering the time named will prevent its acceptance.

FROM EX-PRESIDENT R. B. HAYES.

SPIEGEL GROVE, FREMONT, O., August 17, 1885.

CAPTAIN J. M. SLIGH,

Secretary.

MY DEAR CAPTAIN:

I am sorry I can not accept your invitation to attend the Reunion of the Army of the Cumberland, next month, at Grand Rapids. An engagement, of long standing, to attend the Reunion of the Army of West Virginia, is in the way.

With all good wishes,

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

FROM EX-PRESIDENT C. A. ARTHUR.

NEW YORK CITY, September 3, 1885.

COLONEL P. V. Fox,

Chairman.

MY DEAR SIR:

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your invitation to attend the Seventeenth Reunion of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, to be held at Grand Rapids, on the 16th instant. I regret that other engagements will prevent me from leaving New York at that time.

Very faithfully yours,

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

FROM GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN.

MANSFIELD, O., August 31, 1885.

COLONEL P. V. Fox,

Chairman,

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.

MY DEAR SIR:

I am just arrived here from Lake Minnatonka,

to attend a family reunion called by my brother, the Senator, which will detain me till Friday, when I must return to St. Louis on business of some importance to the family, and will then attend the Annual Meeting of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, September 9th and 10th, at Chicago.

This will complete two full months of time and travel which I will have to give my comrades, in all, in 1885, which I construe as a fair share of my time, which is far from being idle--for I am aiming not only to support six children and seven grand children, besides trying to lay by a little for them when I am dead.

I have now on hand five Army meetings which DEMAND my attendance in all September-yours, Topeka, the SHERMAN Brigade, CROOKS' Brigade at Iowa City, and the Iron Brigade at Madison, Wisconsin, each claiming a RIGHT that I should abandon family, and every thing, to respond to their demand.

It is a physical impossibility for me to comply with all these demands—yea, it is a burden for me even to answer all these letters, this being the third in which I have almost politely asked to be excused from coming to Graud Rapids.

Of course I can not come. I beg you to accept my assurances of love and respect; and, if you insist on advertising me, like Barnum's circus, I can not help it. I thank you, personally, for the kind, respectful tone of your letter.

As always, yours,

W. T. SHERMAN.