Mr. John Coon, FROM MAJOR FRANCIS. Lowell, Mass., October 21, 1870. Of Committee on Invitations, etc., Cleveland, Ohio. MY DEAR SIR: I regret to say that imperative duties here will prevent my presence at the Reunion of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland. My heartfelt thanks are due to you for your kind invitation; please accept them. I am very proud of having been connected with that glorious old army, and shall always cherish feelings of friendship toward all persons who served with it. Very truly yours, JAMES FRANCIS, Late Major 2d Mass. Inf. FROM CAPTAIN CHURCH. Helena, October 27, 1870. GENTLEMEN: Your invitation of the 6th ultimo, inviting me to be present at the Fourth Annual Meeting of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, to take place in the city of Cleveland on the 24th and 25th days of November, came to my notice this inst. The word comrade touches the warmest, sunniest corner of my heart, and brings the happy recollections of warm greetings at Cincinnati, Chicago, and Indianapolis. Although too far from the place of meeting to warrant me the extreme pleasure of once more commingling with those brave, noble, and patriotic defenders of the flag, I shall be there in spirit, singing Sherman's March to the Sea and Old Shady. It was my intention to have been present at the Annual Meeting of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, to be held in your city the 24th and 25th of this month, but now find that business engagements will prevent. It is a duty that all owe to meet at these reunions, and again under the flag of our country, now floating in peace over us, renew those associations formed when the war cloud swept the land, and battle strife placed us shoulder to shoulder together, for this Society will grow no larger. And as this year we mourn the honored dead, so henceforth at every yearly roll call we must expect to hear of some comrade who has been mustered out, leaving his seat forever vacant. With the hope that the Society may be fully represented, C. C. MERRICK. Gor M FROM CAPTAIN LYON. Gallatin, Tenn., November 9, 1870. Mr. John Coon, DEAR SIR: I am in receipt of your circular of the 6th of last month, and in answer will say that it will be impossible for me to attend the meeting. Wishing you all a very pleasant meeting, I am in receipt of your invitation to attend the Fourth Annual Reunion of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland. I regret that pressing business duties will prevent my being present on that occasion. With respect, J. J. SPAULDING. FROM CAPTAIN BROCKWAY. Chicago, November 15, 1870. Messrs. Coon and others, COMRADES: Your letter of the 6th ult., designating the time and place for the next Annual Meeting of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, was received soon after it was issued, but owing to a surgical operation I was obliged to submit to some weeks since, I have been unable to reply sooner. During the campaign of 1864, in an assault on the rebel earthworks, I received a wound which resulted in the amputation of my leg. The wound since has been a constant source of trouble and pain, until six weeks since, by advice of my surgeon, the leg was re-amputated. Recuperation has since been slow and painful; am confined to my bed, and probably shall be for some time to come. It would afford me much pleasure to accept the invitation so kindly expressed in your letter, and were it not that I am disqualified for "active service," I should promptly respond at "roll call," once again to mingle with our comrades, some of whom were first known to me in the "rough ranks of war," and whose patriotic devotion to their country has given to the name Cumberland a sacred and greater national significance. Trusting you will inform me what action on my part will be necessary to continue my membership with the Society, regretting my inability to accept the hospitality of your fair city, I am, comrades, Fraternally yours, J. W. BROCKWAY, (Late) Captain V. R. C. FROM CAPTAIN WHITE. Toledo, Ohio, October 29, 1870. Messrs. John Coon and others, Committee on Invitations, etc. GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your cordial invitation to be present at your next Annual Meeting at Cleveland, Ohio, but I regret to state that orders received will take me to the East, and thereby preclude the possibility of my enjoying the Reunion with you. With many thanks and sincere regards, I feel that prior engagements will prevent my attendance upon the next meeting of the Society, and I regret it the more because the absence of the loved commander, with the knowledge that he will never more meet us here, will give to the coming gathering a hallowed influence, a chastened and softened |