CINCINNATI, OHIO, November 14, 1866.

The members of the Society, and Officers of the Army of the Tennessee assembled in Mozart Hall, Cincinnati, at 11 o'clock A. M., pursuant to the following call:

Officers of the Army of the Tennessee:

WASHINGTON, D. C., July 10, 1866.

You are respectfully notified that the first annual meeting of the "Society of the Army of the Tennessee" will be held on the 14th of November, 1866, at Cincinnati, Ohio, for the purpose of perfecting its organization, and transaction of such other business as may come before it, in furtherance of its objects, which are primarily to perpetuate its history, and keep alive that kindly, cordial and social feeling, which was one of the characteristics of that Army during its eventful career, and which gave it such harmony of action as contributed, in no small degree, to its glorious achievements in our country's cause. Every officer who has served at any time in the Army of the Tennessee with honor, is entitled to membership, and is considered a member of this Society, and, as a large amount of important business is to be transacted at this meeting, a general and prompt attendance is desired.

GENERAL JOHN A. RAWLINS,
President, Washington, D. C.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL L. M. DAYTON,

Secretary, St. Louis, Mo.

Which was read by the Secretary; and the President taking the chair, "The Society of the Army of the Tennessee" proceeded in its first annual meeting. The Secretary announced from the register that a quorum was present, and, by request of the President, prayer was offered by Rev. McCarty, Chaplain 76th Ohio Volunteers.

The President announced the Society as being ready for the transaction of business; the Secretary then read the records of the last meeting, and which, on motion, without dissent, were accepted. On motion of General Hickenlooper:

Resolved, That the President appoint a committee of three to take charge of the sale of tickets for the Banquet of the Society to be given on the evening of the 15th.

The President appointed as such committee Colonel Herbert, Colonel Munson, and Major Safely.

On motion of General W. W. Belknap:

Resolved, That the President appoint a committee of five to nominate, for consideration of the Society, the Officers for the ensuing year.

The President appointed as the committee Major-General W. W. Belknap, Brigadier-General C. H. Howard, Colonels C. Cadle, M. C. Garber, and Peckham.

On motion:

Resolved, That the President appoint a committee of three to report on Amendments to the Constitution, and report By-Laws for the government of the Society.

The President appointed Major-General M. F. Force, MajorGeneral C. R. Wood, and Major-General Giles A. Smith.

There being no more business for the present consideration of the Society, on motion of Colonel Parker:

Resolved, The Society stand adjourned until 24 P. M. this day, November 14, 1866.

MOZART HALL,

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CINCINNATI, OHIO, 21⁄2 P. M., November 14, 1866. The Society met pursuant to adjournment, and was called to order by the President, Major-General Rawlins, who announced it ready for the transaction of business proper to come before it. A motion was made by Colonel Parker to the effect that the President should instruct the committee appointed to report on By-Laws and Amendments to the Constitution, to also report on the justness, propriety and practicability of including in the Society the enlisted men of the Army of the Tennessee, giving as reasons for his motion that, while as much honor was accorded the enlisted man as the officer who commanded him, he ought not be debarred the privileges of our Society. Colonel Peckham arose and desired permission to explain, as his understanding of the objects of our Society, that it was an Association of Officers; and while no part of the Constitution was drawn for the purpose of excluding any class of men, enlisted men themselves would acknowledge that their admittance to membership would make the Society unwieldy. Colonel Cavender said he coincided with the views of Colonel Peckham. Colonel Parker asked permission to withdraw his motion; but General Leggett, arising, said, now that the question of admitting the enlisted men to membership in the Society had been brought before it, he desired it should be correctly set forth, and, as he believed, every member of the Society understood it. He explained the warm sympathy and kindly feeling of the officers of the Army of the Tennessee towards the enlisted men. He begged leave to oppose the motion of Colonel Parker, but not with any wish or

intention of giving the cold shoulder to the brave and worthy enlisted men. Discipline of service did not allow, during the late war, that class or character of association between the officers and the enlisted men that the articles of our Constitution contemplated for the members of this Society, the officers of the Army in the Field. While we individually consider the enlisted man as much entitled to commendation for his services during the war as ourselves, and while we knew his equality in civil life, the admitting him to membership in our Society was foreign to its object, which contemplated a reunion of fellowships and friendships formed during the war. Our Society was formed before the close of the war, not in its pomp and circumstance, but in the theatre of military movement and the sound of hostile guns, and was, therefore, peculiar; and while all would render to the soldier who served under us, all merit and honor, and, if need be, will assist any association in his interest, he also hoped the original principles and intentions of the Society would be adhered to. Colonel Parker thanked the gentlemen for their impartial discussion of his motion, and withdrew it by consent of the President.

Colonel Parker made the motion to adjourn, but, pending a vote, Colonel Cavender said he would like, as there was plenty of time, to have the Secretary read such correspondence as he might have from the absent members, unable to attend our first annual reunion.

LETTERS.

The following letters were read:

HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON, D. C., November 11, 1866.

DEAR GENERAL:-It is with great disappointment that I have to announce, at the last moment, my inability to attend the meeting of the "Society of the Army of the Tennessee" on the 14th inst. I find that it will be impossible for me to be absent from this city, for the present, for so long a time as it would take to go to Cincinnati and return. I regret not being able to attend the first meeting of a Society composed in whole of officers of the Army which formed my first command in the late terrible rebellion, and with which I felt myself identified to the end of its service. When my command was less than an "Army," it was composed of troops which formed the nucleus of the Army of the Tennessee in its organization into an Army. It was the first Army I had the honor to command, and, to the end of the rebellion, it was an integral and important part of the force which I had the honor to direct, though through the ablest and most distinguished officers of any service. It is a proud

record the Army of the Tennessee gained during the rebellion.

As an Army,

it never sustained a single defeat during four years of war. No officer was ever assigned to the command of that Army who had afterwards to be relieved from duty, or reduced to a less command. Such a history is not by accident, nor wholly due to sagacity in the selection of commanders. Again permit me to express, through you, to the Society of the "Army of the Tennessee" my deep regret at not being able to be with it on the interesting occasion of its first meeting. I have the honor to be, with great respect, Your obedient servant,

U. S. GRANT,

General.

TO BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL, M. F. FORCE,

Chairman Com. of Arrangements, Society of the Army of the Tenn.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI,
ST. LOUIS, Mo., November 5, 1866.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL, L. M. DAYTON,

to me.

Secretary Society of the Army of the Tennessee.-Present: DEAR COLONEL :-On the 19th of October I had the honor to accept an invitation to be present at Cincinnati on the 14th instant to attend the meeting of your Society. At the time I presumed, of course, that I would be here about that time, but since have received orders that will carry me far away from Cincinnati at the time proposed for the meeting. It is, therefore, out of my power to fulfill the promise, which I assure you is a great disappointment I approve most heartily of the object and purposes of the Society, and shall hope, at some future time, to share its pleasures and associations. Time is already spreading its veil over those events in which we shared, and to us, the survivors, alone is allowed the privilege of lifting that veil and revealing its mysteries. Whilst memories last, we can never forget the events about Shiloh, Vicksburg and Jackson; nor those about Chattanooga, Atlanta, Savannah and Raleigh, in which the old Army of the Tennessee bore so prominent a part; and I hope and trust the younger men, who have longest to live, will see that those living scenes be transmitted down to the future in colors as bright as words can portray. But of all things, what pleased me best, was the noble confidence and good feeling that always prevailed in that Army, from all its successive commanders down to the last private; and now that war is over, and peace supreme, that same confidence and good feeling remain the same bright ornament to the civilian as it was to the soldier.

Wishing the Society every success in its most meritorious purpose, that its present meeting may be a most happy reunion of fellow-soldiers and friends, and that many more of the same sort will follow, I am, as ever,

Most truly, your friend,

W. T. SHERMAN,

Lieutenant-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

BUREAU OF REFUGEES, FREEDMEN AND ABANDONED LANDS,
WASHINGTON, November 12, 1866.

COLONEL L. M. DAYTON:

MY DEAR SIR:-I received your kind invitation to be present at the meeting of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, and also a Missouri paper containing your invitation to General Sherman, and his acceptance. I delayed a reply, hoping I might be able to so arrange my work as to be present with you on the 14th inst., for it would afford me intense gratification to meet the old friends and companions-in-arms again; but having had my vacation, and finding an accumulation of important matters that must be attended to as soon as possible, I yield to a sense of duty, and reluctantly forego the enjoy ment you and others are sure to derive from the reunion.

Many and many are the times I have recalled our Western campaigns and battles, and never without boasting of the wonderful bravery and endurance of our army. In the providence of God we are already scattered over this broad land, and may never be permitted to meet again in one place. Yet, while memory lasts, and men continue to honor noble deeds, a soldier of the army that Grant and Sherman and McPherson commanded, will be recognized among our people. He will need no other badge of distinction than the simple fact that he performed his part from Donelson to Chattanooga, from Dalton to Atlanta, from Atlanta to Savannah, and battled with the enemy and the swamps of the Carolinas. You will have with you a galaxy of noble names-Logan, Blair, Woods, the three Smiths, Leggett, Hazen, Corse, Force, Fuller, and a host of others-and I know all will join me in a warm tribute of gratitude to the bold, hearty, indefatigable volunteer soldier who has given us all so great distinction, and asks no other honor than that he belonged to the army whose memory you cherish to-day.

Say to all, God grant, my fellow-soldiers, that we may do his will and work out his purposes, as we have been able to do in the past, and that we may all one day meet where, we believe, McPherson, Ransom, Harker, and the rest of the Christian soldiers now are.

Truly yours,

O. O. HOWARD.

Major-General.

COLONEL A. HICKENLOOPER :

CARBONDALE, November 8, 1866.

MY DEAR SIR: -I regret exceedingly that it is impossible for me to attempt to deliver an address before our Society, as you desire, and they have honored me with an invitation to do; but the indescribable campaign through which I have just passed, has entirely exhausted my physical strength, and I shall be forced in consequence to forego the pleasure it would afford me under other circumstances. Will endeavor to attend the meeting as an earnest admirer