Reunion
Twenty-third Kentucky Volunteer Infantry
Cincinnati Commercial, Saturday, 26 November
1881, page 3
The Twenty-third Kentucky Voluneer Infantry yesterday celebrated the anniversary of the battle of Mission Ridge at Turner Hall, Newport. From morn until eve the veterans commingled and passed the hours of the day in recounting the stories of battles fought and won, and narrating the many peculiar incidents of camp life and adventures through flood and field.
It was an occasion of great interest, not only enjoyable to those who had gone through the fray, but to the younger members of the rising generation, many of whom during this exciting early days of the war were wearing their first pair of red topped boots.
Last night at 8 pm the old soldiers gathered at Smalley's Hall and marched to Turner Hall in procession, headed by the Newport Veterans Field Band. Upon reaching the place, ranks were broken and the social enjoyment commence. Little tables capable of accommodating four persons each, tested the capacity of the hall. Pork and beans, black coffe and hard tack formed the foundation of the feast and brought vividly to mind the recollections of the times that tried men's souls, and when, in tramping along the dusty and muddy roads, through storms as well as sunshine, an onion patch or a flock of yellow leg chickens were sufficient to cause a break in the ranks.
After spending an hour over the repast each of the veterans was presented with a long twist of tobacco and a clay pipe. George Schneider and Adam Weber are entitled to the credit of preparing and cooking the lunch, which they accomplished in regular army style in big iron kettles in the rear yard. At the close of the feast the following sentiments were offered;
"The Twenty-third Kentucky Infantry-From Camp King to muster out." Response by Captain Robert Townsend.
"Mission Ridge-The day we celebrate the best delivered battle of the War." By Captain John Barnes.
"Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry-Nelson's pets, friends and comrades before, during and since the late unpleasantness." By Colonel Christopher.
"Nelson's Division-The Ironclads" By Adjutant General J M Kendrick.
"Kentucky Volunteers-the living and the dead." We recall from the galaxy of their heroic sons the names of Anderson, Nelson, Housseau, Jackson, Fry, Harlan, Wolford, Bristow, Hobson, Smith, Boyle, Murray and Pope.: By General John W Finnell.
"General George H Thomas, the Rock of Chickamauga, the noblest Roman of them all." By Colonel J N Kinney.
"Our honored dead." Standing and in silence.
At the conclusion of the feast the boys were told to do as they pleeased and many a story of adventure, of hardship, of hair breath escapes, mingled with inumerable narrations of the fun and frolic incident to camp life were told, the most attractive pont of interest being the wonderfull tales of the stalwart veteran Colonel Vastine of the "Captain Jinks Brigade."
The following list of battles in which the regiment took part was listed upon the wall. Round Mountain, Perryville, Stone River, Woodbury, Chickamauga, Brown's Gap, Mission Ridge, Strawberry Plains, Rocky Face Ridge, Resacres, New Hope Church, Pine Top, Kenesaw Mountian, Chatahoochie River, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Love Joy Statin, Columbia, Franklin and Nashville. After shaking hands all round and singing Auld Lang Syne, the party separated with their mouths watering for the reunion twelve months hence.