Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from The Forty-Fifth Illinois: A Souvenir of the Re-Union Held at Rockford, on the Fortieth Anniversary of Its March in the Grand Review; Being the Remarks of Daniel Fish, of Co; G, to Which Is Appended the Substance of the Regiment's History as Preserved in Official Records
My term of service was so short, and my connection with the regiment so broken, that you may well expect me to give some account of my doings. This is only the second of these reunions that I have been able to attend. The first was at Chicago five years ago and that, to be quite truthful, was a somewhat dis appointing experience. I had looked forward to it with the most pleasurable anticipations, for surely, I thought, my own company will be out in force and I shall at least know every body in Co. G. Well, some of them were present. And most of them I knew, but alas! Not many knew me. I had been conscious enough of change in myself - that I had grown up since the muster out thirty - five years back - but had not com prehen'ded the full extent of the mischiefs which Time brings about. It was hard for me to realize that the sturdy young fellows I had known were the dignified, even venerable men there gathered. Not quite sixteen at my enlistment, most of you being already veterans of twenty-two and upward, I recalled With great distinctness the humiliation I often felt on account of my extreme youth; but that is one of the embarrassments of those days that I have wholly outgrown. I would not be a day older now, if it were possible.
The one man in the ranks whom I best remembered was there at Chicago. He accepted my greetings with his old time kind ness, but with a discouraging shadow of uncertainty upon his honest face. Even after I had told him my name, I doubt if he would have loaned me money on the faith of my claim to membership in Co. G. The only man there who was sure of me was my old Lieutenant, Lee Bauder - Who used to exchange weapons with me to lighten my load on the march; for the musket I carried was of man's size, weighing substantially two hundred pounds. It was a lesson not to be forgotten, and I came away from that re-union resolved never to miss another, unless dire necessity compelled it.
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