The celebration will awaken a thousand kindred sympathies which none but the members can know, for in all the round of human action there is no tie which binds men so strongly together as the fact that they have endured the same trials and faced the same dangers.

The day will call up an endless train of recollections—some sad and others pleasant, just as sunshine and shadow chase each other down the mountainside and across the valley.

—47th Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers’ Reunion Announcement, The Allentown Democrat, 11 October 1882

 

They officially mustered in at Camp Curtin in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania as members of a brand-new volunteer infantry regiment during the summer of 1861. They received their honorable discharge papers as a veteran volunteer regiment at Camp Cadwalader in Philadelphia in early January 1866.

Along the way, the members of the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry braved the withering fire of Confederate States Army cannon and rifles in America’s Deep South, and battled the surprisingly more formidable foe of disease to make history as a regiment that was integrated before President Abraham Lincoln’s official announcement of the nation’s Emancipation Proclamation—and as the only regiment from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to participate in the Union’s 1864 Red River Campaign across Louisiana.

Although many left Philadelphia as quickly as they could that final day together in Philadelphia in 1866, hungering for the hugs they hoped were awaiting them in smaller cities and towns across Pennsylvania, most understood that they were not yet done with each other because they knew, in the marrow of their bones, that they could never banish all thought of the tremendous hardships they had experienced or the incomprehensible carnage they had witnessed.

To disremember the sacrifices their comrades had made would dishonor the memory of those who had given the last full measure of their devotion to the causes for which they had fought so valiantly—the eradication of chattel slavery and the preservation of America’s Union.

So they made promises to meet again—and they kept those promises through a series of get-togethers planned by the 47th Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers Association—regimental reunions that were held almost every single year from the early 1870s through the mid-1930s—when there was only one 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer left alive to bear witness to all that he and his brothers in blue had seen and heard during the American Civil War.

Through it all, newspapers statewide reported on the annual gatherings—from pre-event planning to the post-event publication of the association’s expenditures. Examples of that coverage are provided in “Transcriptions of the Newspaper Coverage of the 47th Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers’ Annual Reunions,” and will be updated as regimental reunion research continues.

Memorable Reunions

Among the most notable of these veterans’ get-togethers were the reunions that were held in 1873 (the first) and 1875 (the third)—and in 1899, an event that was held in conjunction with Monument Day—the day on which the impressive Soldiers and Sailors Monument that had been erected in Allentown was dedicated with a breathtaking degree of pomp.

1873

Sometime during the mid to late summer of 1873, former officers of the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteers began exploring the possibilities for getting members of their former command back together to reminisce and rekindle the bonds they had established during the long years they lived together and fought side-by-side to save America’s Union. By September, that planning had taken on more serious shape, as evidenced by this announcement that was made in The Democrat, a newspaper published in Sunbury, Pennsylvania:

Catasauqua, Pa., September 22, 1873

Captain Eichholz, Dear Sir:—All members of the Forty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers are respectfully invited to meet at the house of our old comrade, Capt. H. S. Harte, in Catasauqua, on Wednesday, October 22, 1873, the anniversary of the battle of Pocotaligo, to renew friendship, and to take into consideration the forming of an association to keep bright the recollections of the past. Nearly every other regiment has done this already. Let us, therefore, gather at least once more together, and touch elbows as of yore.

Col.’s Gobin and Good will be present.

As it is impossible for us to remember the names of all the members of the Regiment we cannot notify them, and, therefore, request you to notify any in your vicinity who may not have received this notice.

Very Respectfully, Yours,

A. C. McHose,                       } Committee.
Wm. H. Bartholomew,
Edwin Gilbert,
Wm. Kleckner,
Wm. Wise,
Wm. Sieger.

According to the Reading Times’ report on that first event, a “large number of friends of the members of the old regiment joined them in celebrating the day.” The final commanding officer of the regiment, Colonel John Peter Shindel Gobin, delivered the keynote address during what would become a tradition of get-togethers that would span more than half a century.

Gobin would go on to play key roles in many of the annual reunions planned by the 47th Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers Association, including the third annual event, which was held in Sunbury, Northumberland County on Friday, 22 October 1875.

1875

During the spring and summer of 1875, Colonel John Peter Shindel Gobin published several announcements in Northumberland County newspapers, including this letter from May in which he announced the members of that year’s reunion planning committee:

Head Quarters 47th Regimental Asso’n, Allentown, May 22, 1875,

The following named members are hereby appointed as a committee of arrangements for the third re-union of the regiment, to be held at Sunbury, on the 22d of October next, viz: W. M. Hendricks, Daniel Oyster, John H. Heim, Cornelius Kremer [sic, Kramer], H. D. Wharton, with permission to add others if they so desire.”

Once again, the annual reunion would be held on the anniversary of the Battle of Pocotaligo—the regiment’s first major combat experience. By August, the committee had been expanded to include: E. M. Bucher, J. Weiser Bucher, J. C. Irwin, J. K. Keefer, Samuel Miller, and Jacob Renn. Captain Daniel Oyster, the former commanding officer of Company C, had been appointed chairman of the planning committee, with Jared C. Irwin handling the duties of treasurer and Henry D. Wharton still serving as secretary. On 3 August, the committee met at Sunbury’s Clement House, the home of Ira T. Clement, who built Sunbury’s first sawmill. It was at this meeting that committee members decided to expand their ranks by adding Lieutenant James Van Dyke, the 47th Pennsylvania’s former Regimental Quartermaster, to their team, and also directed John Heim and J. K. Keefer to assume responsibility for the design and production of the reunion badges that would be given to attendees that year.

By 17 September, planners had worked out arrangements with the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company to provide special excursion rates for the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteers who would be traveling to Sunbury from Allentown, Easton, and other communities statewide.

On 1 October, the Sunbury American announced the planning committee’s expectations that a larger number of 47th Pennsylvania Volunteers than first anticipated would be attending the reunion. That same day, Sunbury butcher Amos Steele announced that he would be saving the largest of his two steers in order to feed the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteers at the reunion’s banquet, saying he wanted the members of the regiment “to have the best in his line.” A 2,700-pound animal, that steer had been named “No. 47” in honor of the regiment.

On 14 October, the women of Northumberland County also threw their hats into the planning ring, declaring that “the ladies of Sunbury will aid in furnishing and preparing a banquet to be tendered in behalf of the citizens of Sunbury to the officers and members of the 47th Regiment, at such an hour as may be convenient to the guests.” The women subsequently divided the city into manageable outreach segments and appointed members of the group to “canvass their respective districts and solicit co-operation of the ladies there residing.” Nearly two dozen enterprising women recruited the help of multiple energetic women who helped make the banquet an event to remember.

When the reunion finally began that year, U.S. Congressman John B. Packer delivered the reunion’s opening address. According to the Public Press:

The re-union of the 47th Regiment on Friday was the grandest success that ever met in our town. The local committee, under the supervision of S. Malick, Esq., and others made arrangements to receive the soldiers and entertain them. On account of sickness Captain Rothrock [sic, Chaplain Rodrock], the speaker announced could not be present to deliver the address, and Col Gobin, by invitation, and request, entertained the audience on the “Red River Expedition.” This address by Col. Gobin was one that abounded with incidents, trial, and a descriptive delineation of the marches and counter marches of the gallant 47th during their enlistment. The citizens of our town determined to give the boys a banquet, and after the meeting at the Court House, they adjourned to Moore & Dissinger’s Hall where the ladies had prepared a supper. The table contained everything that could be desired and soldiers of all regiments were invited and partook. After the supper the Northumberland Band (who had come over by special invitation through Major W. C. Kapp) serenaded Col. Cadwallader, Col. Gobin and others.

In conversation with different parties connected with the 47th Regiment they freely expressed themselves that for kindness, good treatment, sociability and the good hand of fellowship Sunbury has no equal.

A week after the reunion, The Sunbury Gazette and the Northumberland County Republican reported that Colonel Gobin had been elected as president of the association, that his long-time company clerk, Henry Wharton of C Company, had been elected as the association’s secretary, and that one representative from each of the regiment’s ten former companies were chosen to serve as vice presidents. The officers also selected the Borough of Allentown as the site for the annual reunion that would be held in October of 1876.

In December of that year, the planning committee published its financial report, noting that residents of Sunbury had donated $62.25 to help defray the costs of the event, and that the committee had managed to bring that year’s reunion in under budget, with $1.55 left to spare. Among the expenditures:

• $15 paid to the Sunbury Band for its performance;
• $5.50 for badges for each of the regimental attendees;
• $20.50 for oysters, paid to S. F. Nevin;
• $7.50 for ice cream, paid to Landis Fry;
• $4.50 for coffee and sugar;
• $1.20 for butter;
• $3.00 for dish washing; and
• $3.50 for incidentals.

1899

Before the nineteenth century had come to an end, the 47th Pennsylvania’s annual reunion had achieved an even more prominent role. Held in conjunction with the dedication of the new Soldiers and Sailors Monument that had been erected in Allentown, it was part of a spectacle that children and adults statewide would talk about for years to come.

The monument’s dedication was held on 19 October 1899—the anniversary of the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia in which the 47th Pennsylvania lost nearly the equivalent of two full companies of men while blocking an attempted end run around Union Army lines by the Confederate troops of Lieutenant-General Jubal Early.

A date in history deemed so important by city and state leaders, 19 October 1899 was designated as “Monument Day” and declared a holiday for students across the city. According to the 5 October edition of The Allentown Leader that year, all schools were to be closed so that students and their families could participate in the parade and dedication ceremony, with as many as one thousand elementary school students expected to be on hand to “sing national anthems at the unveiling exercises.”

As city planning ramped up, officers of the 47th Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers Association announced changes to their original plans for the 1899 reunion, in order to ensure that its members would be able to participate in both events. According to the 13 October edition of The Allentown Leader:

A meeting of members residing in Allentown of the Forty-seventh Regiment Association was held last evening at Daeufer’s saloon, to arrange for the annual reunion of the regiment to be held in this city on Monument Day. Lieutenant James Stuber was elected chairman and Lieutenant Colonel Chas. Abbott, secretary and treasurer. The annual meeting of the association will be held in the morning in the hall of the Turner Liederkranz, when routine business will be transacted and officers elected. South Bethlehem was chosen as the place for holding this year’s meeting, but because of the unveiling of the monument it was decided to meet here. The regiment will participate in the parade and will carry their old tattered flag that was used in the war. Another meeting of the local members will be held on Monday evening when final arrangements for the entertainment of the visitors will be made. Lieutenant Edward Wenner of Bethlehem, is the president; Colonel Abbott, Allentown, secretary; Lieutenant Augustus Eagle, Catasauqua, treasurer; and Rev. Mr. Rothrock [sic. Rodrock], Paterson, chaplain.”

When Monument Day officially kicked off, a line of 8,000 to 15,000 marchers stretched for two miles, according to various newspaper accounts. The parade, which began at just after 12:30 p.m., was reported to be “the largest and grandest demonstration in the history of the city” with 125 organizations “in line, representing the principal towns and cities in the eastern section of the state.” Corporal Daeufer, a veteran of the 47th Pennsylvania’s I Company, served as the parade’s chief marshal, and ensured that each of the parade’s divisions (Grand Army of the Republic, Union Veteran Legion, Sons of Veterans, Patriotic Order Sons of America, Knights of the Golden Eagle, Junior Order United American Mechanics, Improved Order of Red Men, the city’s fire department, Survivors of the Forty-seventh Regiment, Soldiers and Sailors of the Spanish-American War, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Friendship, Knights of the Mystic Chain, National Guard of Pennsylvania, and various other organizations) stepped off on time and kept the parade flowing with energy and efficiency.

And all of it was witnessed by a massive crowd buoyed by hundreds of children who had been given American flags to wave as the veterans marched past them.

In its follow-up coverage of the event, The Allentown Leader estimated that “not less than 40,000 strangers visited the city during the day, and all were cared for in a hospitable manner.” With an estimated 2,500 dignitaries and guests present on the reviewing stand, the Leader calculated that total crowd estimates ranged “from 20,000 to 60,000” with roughly 15,000 people “massed on the Square” for the actual monument dedication during which a group of daughters and granddaughters of Civil War veterans assisted with the monument’s unveiling while somewhere between 1,000 to 1,700 elementary school students sang the Star-Spangled Banner.

No other regimental reunion, no matter how well planned in years to come, would ever be able to top the events of Monument Day. Memories of long-forgotten sacrifices were rekindled and wounded hearts were healed as Americans put aside their differences to pay sincere tribute to the men who had given their all to save the republic.

* To learn more about Monument Day, read our profile of the “Lehigh County Soldiers and Sailors Monument.”

 

Sources:

1. “47th Pa. Veteran Volunteers.” Sunbury, Pennsylvania: The Sunbury Gazette, 6 August 1875.
2. “47th Regiment Reunion.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Democrat, 20 September 1882.
3. “47th Reunion.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Leader, 13 October 1899.
4. “Amos Steele” (notice by the Sunbury butcher who fed the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteers at their 1875 reunion). Sunbury, Pennsylvania: Northumberland County Democrat, 1 October 1875.
5. Annual Reunion Recap. Reading, Pennsylvania: Reading Times, 30 October 1873.
6. “Arrangements” (notice of the Lehigh Valley Railroad collaboration with the 1875 reunion planning committee). Sunbury, Pennsylvania: Northumberland County Democrat, 17 September 1875.
7. “Board of Control: Legislation for the Benefit of Allentown Schools: Monument Day Will Be a Holiday.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Leader, 5 October 1899.
8. “Catasauqua, Pa., September 22, 1873: Captain Eichholz, Dear Sir” (letter to the newspaper inviting all former members of the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteers to participate in the regiment’s first reunion). Sunbury, Pennsylvania: The Democrat, 26 September 1873.
9. “Election of Officers.” Sunbury, Pennsylvania: The Sunbury Gazette and the Northumberland County Republican, 29 October 1875.
10. “Gen. Gobin’s Vets: Forty-Seventh’s Reunion.” Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Harrisburg Telegraph, 22 October 1895.
11. “Head Quarters 47th Regimental Assoc’n, Allentown, May 22, 1875” (notice from J. P. S. Gobin regarding the appointment of a committee to plan and implement the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteers’ annual reunion in 1875). Sunbury, Pennsylvania: Sunbury American, May 1875.
12. “Local and Personal” (announcement of the 47th Pennsylvania’s annual reunion). Lehighton, Pennsylvania: The Carbon Advocate, 31 August 1878.
13. “Program Adopted: Order of Exercises for Unveiling Decided Upon.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Leader, 5 October 1899.
14. “Report of Committee: 47th Regimental Banquet.” Sunbury, Pennsylvania: Northumberland County Democrat, 10 December 1875.
15. “Re-Union of 47th.” Sunbury, Pennsylvania: The Sunbury Gazette, 22 October 1875.
16. “Reunion of the 47th Pa. Vet. Vols.” Sunbury, Pennsylvania: Sunbury American and the Public Press, 1 October 1875.
17. “Reunion of the 47th: Surviving Members of General Gobin’s Regiment Meet at Harrisburg.” Scranton, Pennsylvania: The Scranton Tribune, 23 October 1895.
18. “Reunion of the Forty-Seventh Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers.” Newport, Pennsylvania: The News, 27 September 1873.
19. “The Grand Old Men: The Veterans of the Forty-seventh Deserve That Title.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Daily Leader, 23 October 1893.
20. “The Re-Union.” Sunbury, Pennsylvania: Public Press, 29 October 1875.
21. “The Reunion of a Regiment: The Old Boys of the Forty-seventh Will Have Their Festival on the Morrow.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Daily Leader, 22 October 1893.
22. “The Re-Union of the Forty-Seventh.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Democrat, 11 October 1882.
23. “The Re-Union of the Old 47th.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Democrat, October 1883.
24. “The Re-Union of the Forty-Seventh.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Democrat, 2 October 1889.
25. Third Reunion Notice. Sunbury, Pennsylvania: The Sunbury Gazette and the Northumberland County Republican, 21 May 1875.