Excerpts and Highlights from the
Third Regimental Reunion
16th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Millersburg, Ohio
August 10-11,1876

Web Author's Notes:
The text below was taken from the Proceedings of Eleven Reunions Held By the 16th Regiment, O.V.I, compiled by Enos Pierson, Secretary of 16th O.V.I. Reunion Association, in 1887. This document was provided by fellow 16th OVI descendant H. Arlan Heiser of Ohio. The text has been transcribed exactly as it appeared in the original document.
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Third Reunion
AT MILLERSBURG, O., AUGUST 10th and 11th, 1876

The 16th Ohio Volunteer Infantry held their Third Reunion at Millersburg, on Thursday and Friday, August 10th and 11th, 1875 (6). Great preparations had been made by the citizens of Holmes County to receive them. By Thursday noon a large number of the soldiers had arrived, and at 3 o'clock they met in American Hall and held a business meeting.


...

The decoration of soldiers' graves being next in order, the Association adjuourned to meet at 8 o'clock P. M.

The Regiment, headed by the Band, and a large number of ladies, proceeded to the Cemetery and decorated the graves of the fallen heroes who were buried there, including a number of the 16th Regiment. The procession formed around a mound in the centre of the Cemetery, when the ladies, in squads, repaired to their respective avenues, and scattered sweet flowers over the graves of the fallen heroes. While this was being done, the Band from the top of the mound played some solemn dirges. When the ladies returned from the graves, the following beautiful song was sung by four voices, T. B. Cunningham, L. B. Bird, J. B. Heffelfinger and Miss Nellie Raiff. During the singing there was scarcely a dry eye in the regiment and a death-like stillness fell upon the whole assembly:

SCATTER SWEET FLOWERS O'ER THE DEAD.

Gone from the world and its pain,
Gone from the burden and strife;
Never to sorrow again,
Plodding the journey of life;
While o'er the meadow and vale
Lillies and daisies are spread;
Breathe each dear name to the gale;
Scatter sweet flowers o'er the dead!

CHORUS--Over the spot where they sleep,
Softly and mournfully tread;
Vigils of memory keep;
Scatter sweet flowers o'er the dead;

Call'd from the tumult away,
Gentle and calm is their rest;
Fondly the light of the day
Each mossy pillow hath press'd.
Brightly the dew-drops of night
Weep from the skies overhead;
Come in Spring's rosy light;
Scatter sweet flowers o'er the dead!

(CHORUS)

Still in our love and our pride,
Prescious their mem'ry we keep;
Oft by their graves' mossy side
Tears of affection we weep;
Over the loved ones and dear;
Tributes of mem'ry we spread;
Linger in tenderness near;
Scatter sweet flow'rs o'er the dead!

(CHORUS)

After the singing of the above song, Rev. B. F. Crouse made the following feeling and remarks...

...
The band played another appropriate piece, after which the procession moved out of the cemetery, and marched down to the old Graveyard near the U. P. Church, where lie the remains of Peter Meyer, a soldier who had fought in the Revolutionary War, in the war of 1812, and also in the Indian war. Flowers were scattered upon his grave in profusion in honor of the many battle scars which he carried to his grave. The procession then marched back in front of the American Hall where it was dismissed.
...
Dr. B. B. Brashear, Surgeon of the 16th, was called on for a few remarks. He addressed the soldiers in a very feeling manner, and when referring to some of the scenes of the past, he lost control of his feelings, and wept like a child. Those old veterans of many a hard-fought battle, sat there listening to their beloved Surgeon, who had cared for them so kindly during their service in the army, with the tears trickling down their manly faces, as the Doctor reverted to the hardships borne, and referred to their fallen comrades.
...
Capt. A. S. McClure, of Wooster, then addressed the assembly in reply to the toast "The Campaigns of the 16th Regiment." The Captain spoke in his usually happy style, and entertained his hearers well during his entire address.

The meeting then adjourned and thus ended one of the most pleasant Reunions this regiment has ever held. It is estimated that at least six thousand people were in Millersburg on that day.

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