One day during the forepart of July, W. K. FOLLETT and Capt. H. ATKINSON met on the streets of Malvern. Both having been members of the "old 29th" Iowa the matter of a reunion of the old regiment was suggested, and they agreed to set the ball to rolling by publishing a call for a reunion to be held at Malvern August 12 and 13. Accordingly the call was published and thus the ball was set rolling and was accelerated by a general correspondence among the boys. On the morning of the 12th the boys began to roll into camp at the fair grounds [which had been previously secured for the occasion], appropriately led by Company "A", with colors flying, under command of the first Captain, J. P. WILLIAMS, assisted by Wall McFADEN as orderly sergeant, drum major, quartermaster, color bearer and high private, who arrived on the early train from Council Bluffs.

Next to arrive was Co. "E" from Sidney, under command of its first Captain, Henry BOWEN, assisted by Captain Hugh ATKINSON, and Orderly Sergeant Mero WEBSTER to keep the boys in line. They marched into camp 27 strong, with flying colors. Then came Co. "B", under command of the sturdy fighting Lieut. WARREN, all marching as sprightly as though 25 years had not elapsed since they touched elbows at the close of the war. As new arrivals came the enthusiasm became so great that further details were difficult to gather.

All the companies but "G" and "I" were represented. The first day 68 members of the old regiment fell in line under the temporary command of our Post Commander, H. H. WOODROW, and were marched to seats arranged in the shade of a clump of trees, to listen to many letters bearing cordial good wishhes of comrades and regrets at not being able to meet with the old regiment on this occasion. Lieut. Col. R. F. PATTERSON, Memphis, Tenn., its old commander on many a sanguinary field, sent a letter, as did also Captains ANDREWS, of Mt. Pleasant, and GARDNER and SHELDON, of Dakota, as well as many comrades and widows of comrades deceased. Short addresses were then listened to from comrade Frank BRITT, of Hastings, Neb., and others, all of which were applauded enthusiastically.

The next thing in order was a general raid on the edibles so lavishly supplied by Quartermaster J. M. JOHNSON, consisting of everything the country affords, including, hardtack, s. b., black coffee and butter, which assured the comrades that J. M. had not lost his skill as a forager, and that Major FOLLETT as an "all purpose" comrade could not be beaten.

The afternoon was mainly devoted to handshaking, visiting and social intercourse, interspersed with short talks and army songs by comrades. One of the indispensable features of interest was Wall McFADDEN's magnificent drum corps, the music of which roused the enthusiasm of the old vets and sent the blood coursing through their veins, making them feel a score of years younger. Wall's a trump, and don't forget it.

The evening camp-fire was a grand success. Addresses from Col. J. J. STEDMAN and others were very fine and were enthusiastically received. Had not threatening clouds made their appearance the camp-fire would doubtless have been continued until a late hour. However all retired feeling that the day had been pleasantly passed and the success of the reunion assured.

The second day dawned bright and clear and soon after sunrise the camp began to assume the appearance of a reunion in fact. At 9 at the call of the drum corps the survivors of the regiment present assembled and were called to order by Commander WOODROW who announced the business meeting of the regiment. Capt. Henry BOWEN, of Sidney, was called to the chair and announced the object of the meeting to be to consider the advisability of forming a permanent organization of the old regiment. On motion it was decided to proceed with the organization by the election of officers, which resulted as follows:

C. F. WELLS, of Tabor, was chosen color bearer, and all survivors of the old regimental color guard were chosen color guard for the organization.

The last Tuesday and Wednesday in the month of August, 1891, was fixed as the time of next annual meeting of the regiment and Glenwood the place.

Col. A. J. CHANTRY, Mero WEBSTER and H. H. WOODROW were appointed a committee on Roster and publication of the proceedings of this reunion.

On motion a vote of thanks was tendered the Malvern Fair Association for courtesies and use of their beautiful grounds for the reunion.MO< The meeting adjourned and the veterans present formed in line for a parade of the principal streets of Malvern, which were handsomely decorated by the citizens. Marching up First Avenue the column was halted in front of G. A. R. headquarters and three cheers were proposed and heartily given for the people of Malvern and vicinity for their generous welcome. The Column again moved forward. Arriving at the home of Comrade A. J. CHANTRY it was again halted for a few moments welcome rest under the shade trees of the lawn, during which time the old boys regaled themselves with sweet cider and cigars.

Soon, however, evidence of demoralization appeared by the return after a few moments absence of Wall McFADDEN and John SUITS with chichens foraged from a poultry yard near by. Knowing the foraging propensities of the old regiment and to prevent further demoralization, "attention" was called and after a few appropriate remarks from Chaplain BRITT and a recitation -- "The Veteran's Daughter" -- by Miss Lillian CHANTRY who was then and there by vote of the regiment christened the Daughter of the 29th Iowa, the march was resumed. Arriving at camp at "drum call", ranks were broken and a hearty social meal enjoyed.

The afternoon was mainly devoted to social intercourse and visiting, occassionally interspersed with short speeches by comrades, or enlivened with some old familiar army song. The reunion closed with the general feeling that it had been a fine success, and the boys will look forward to the last Tuesday and Wednesday of August next with mingled hopes and fears. Hopes of again clasping hands with old tried and true comrades, and fears that some of the dear comrades, to whom they are bound by the ties formed by common peril, common suffering and privation, buoyed up through all by the love of the life of a common country and the flag that is its emblem, will not, cannot be with them then.

During the heat of a fierce engagement in the late war a brave boy was stricken down with a terrible wound. As he lay on the ground moaning in agony a comrade inquired what he could do for him. His reply was "water! water!" About midway between the contending lines flowed a stream of clear, cool water. The approach to the stream was swept by the leaden hail of the enemy. To reach the water seemed impossible. To make the attempt was to invite death. But the suffering friend must have water. Grasping a canteen the comrade pushed bravely out from the Federal line and made straight for the stream, where he filled his canteen and triumphantly returned without receiving a scratch, although a perfect tempest of lead raged about him during the entire perilous trip. The sufferer was relieved and his life saved. Is it any wonder that when these men met at the reunion last week there should be a scene that brought tears to many eyes? It is the memory of such deeds that forms a bond between the old soldiers that will endure while life lasts.

SOURCE: Iowa Old Press, an IAGenWeb Special Project. transcribed by W.F., August 2008

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