FROM GENERAL D. S. STANLEY. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, September 9, 1890. COLONEL HENRY S. BUNKER, Secretary. SIR: Your invitation to attend the meeting of the Army of the Cumberland Society at their Twenty-first Reunion at Toledo, Ohio, was duly received. I know I ought to go; many of my old command will be there. I remember once when I was a boy I had to stay at home to hoe corn on the Fourth of July. To add to my abasement, all day long we heard the booming of cannon. My old Revolutionary grandfather, who was authority on such matters, said it was at Toledo. I don't know about that, now, but ever since in my mind Toledo has been famed for patriotism. I am very sorry to say I can not come. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, D. S. STANLEY, Brigadier-General. FROM GENERAL C. M. CLAY. WHITE HALL, KY., September 9, 1890. GENTLEMEN : Your invitation on the part of the citizens of Toledo, Ohio, to attend the Twenty-first Reunion of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, on the 17th and 18th days of September inst., is received. I regret that I can not be present on so pleasant and distinguished an occasion. And my regrets are the more intense because I believe that the battles of Chattanooga were more important in many respects than those which have heretofore held the first place of honor. For it is my duty, and the duty of every citizen of the Republic, to bestow honor where honor is due. Besides, the gallant armies on the heights surrounding the city of Chattanooga were so nearly matched in prowess as to leave but little room for envy or triumph, and are therefore the fitting basis of the restoration of good feeling between the North and the South, and renewed brotherhood in our glorious Union. And these Reunions grow to me more interesting of late years because all the intellectual and moral forces of our times are called to the help of this Republic, which is threatened by a Plutocracy; where not only our liberties, but civilization itself, may be lost. With grateful sentiments for the honor of such association, count me always on the side of the people-against tyranny—and equal rights and opportunity to all men. JUDGE R. H. COCHRAN, CAPTAIN H. W. BIGELOW, MAJOR W. H. McLYMAN, A. M. WOOLSON, CAPTAIN J. KENT HAMILTON, COLONEL H. S. BUNKER, CASSIUS M. CLAY. Committee, etc. FROM GENERAL D. E. SICKLES. NEW YORK, 23 FIFTH AVENUE, April 6, 1890. MY DEAR SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the invitation of the Committee of Citizens of Toledo to attend the Twenty-first Reunion of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland in that city on the 17th inst. I regret that official duties here prevent my absence long enough to enable me to share the pleasures of this interesting occasion. Nothing would afford me more satisfaction than such an opportunity to renew and cement my acquaintance with many of the heroes of the Army of the Cumberland, formed during your march from Chattanooga to Resaca, in 1864. I should be glad to once more join hands with the Army of the Cumberland, as my brief connection with it showed that it was well worthy of the care and solicitude of its distinguished fighting comrades. Thanking you, colonel, for the courtesy extended to me by Toledo, I regret my inability to be present. I am, very respectfully, D. N. COUCH, Late Major-General U. S. V. FROM GENERAL J. J. REYNOLDS. NEAR FORT MONROE, VIRGINIA, September 6, 1890. COLONEL H. S. BUNKER, Secretary, etc. COMRADE: I am in receipt of invitation for 17th and 18th September, and regret very much that I will not be able to be present and enjoy, with our comrades, the hospitalities of the city of Toledo. Very truly, your comrade, J. J. REYNOLDS. FROM GENERAL C. SCHURZ. HAMBURG-AMERICAN PACKET COMPANY (DIRECTOR'S OFFICE), MY DEAR SIR: 37 BROADWAY, P. O. Box 2567, NEW YORK, September 9, 1890. I have just received your kind invitation to the meeting of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, which is to take place at Toledo on September 17th and 18th, and regret exceedingly to say that business engagements here make it impossible for me to be with you on the days named. Accept my sincere thanks for the honor conferred upon me by No. 1 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, September 10, 1890. COLONEL HENRY S. BUNKER, Secretary Local Committee, Society Army of the Cumberland, DEAR SIR: TOLEDO. I am in receipt of your kind invitation to be present at the Twenty-first Reunion of the Army of the Cumberland, at Toledo. I regret very much that my engagements are such it will be impossible for me to attend. I appreciate Toledo's kind remembrance, as I know how much I should enjoy myself at the Reunion. Please extend my thanks to the Committee, and my "God speed" to the Army, and believe me, Yours very truly, G. M. DODGE. |
