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Below you will find two accounts of the reunion in Gallipolis of the 91st Ohio Voluntary Infantry regiment. The one from the Newark Daily Advocate is an exact copy of the article that appeared in the Gallipolis Journal. The second article appeared four days later in the Gallipolis Tribune. The 91st was assembled in Ironton, Ohio in August 1862 and mustered out in Cumberland, Maryland in June 1865. The regiment lost 3 officers and 60 enlisted men killed in combat and 3 officers and 87 enlisted men who died of disease. A summary of the regimental history and roster of Company A can be viewed by clicking here.

The Gallipolis Journal
April 26, 1868

     The surviving officers of the 91st O. V. I. had a reunion at Portsmouth on the 8th. They organized a society and agreed to have an annual reunion and festival so long as a sufficient number of them should survive. The supper and banquet was the great feature of the occasion, drawing forth toasts, speeches, songs, &c., all relating to the associations of their army life and experience. Col. Turley presided. Among those present we notice the names of Major S. F. Neal, Dr. W. S. Newton and Capt. Richard Blazer, of this city. The festivities closed by the whole company singing "John Brown's Body." The next annual reunion will be held at Ironton, on the first Wednesday in April, 1869.

Newark Daily Advocate
July 28, 1894

IN GALLIPOLIS
The Gallant Old 91st O.V.I. Holds It Reunion Tuesday
Gallipolis Outdoes Herself in Doing Honor to the Old Veterans
Dr. Warwick of Lucasville, and Capt. E.E. Ewing of This City, Honored
    The gallant old Ninety-first O.V.I. held its reunion at Gallipolis yesterday, a large number of the old veterans being present. Concerning the reunion the Journal says:
    It was a gala day in the city today. Flags waved and fluttered from scores of business and private houses. The music of the fife and drum was mixed up with the dazzling splendor of the sun, the fine breezes and the throngs of people, and we were carried back almost to '61, when the streets were full of volunteers enlisting to do battle for the glorious cause of the Union.
     The G.A.R. Hall, the headquarters of the boys, was nicely decorated by fair hands, and made as cheerful and pleasant as possible.The reunion opened at 10 o'clock with Dr. Warwick, of Lucasville, Scioto county, in the chair. Adjutant Longbon was made secretary. The address of welcome was then made by Capt. J.M. Alexander in a beautiful and touching manner. It was responded to, also, in a feeling manner by Capt. E.E.Ewing.
     Col. John L. Vance then delivered his address on the battle of Winchester, which occurred just thirty years ago today, July 24, 1864. The address was received with great pleasure and hearty approval. This was followed by a short experience meeting in which several old veterans accounted interesting experiences and incidents.
     The organization for the ensuing year was then made--President Warwick and Secretary Longbon being continued. The morning session was now adjourned until 2 o'clock, and when it assembled the crowd was so great that it was moved and carried that all adjourn to the court house, which they did, and the audience filled the court room.
     Lieut. Newt Warwick, the old commissary of the regiment, related some lively experiences. He was followed by Capt. Ewing, the famous Tom Tag [This is an apparent error. The name should have read James Tagg. Tom Tagg was his brother and Tom did not serve in the military] of Lawrence county; Capt. A. D. Crossland, the old quartermaster of the regiment; Capt. J. M. Alexander, who related his experience as orderly sergeant in escorting 31 of John Morgan's men to Columbus, and many others.
     The Journal also runs cuts of the leading members of the regiment, among them being a double column cut of Capt. E. E. Ewing, of this city, and one of Colonel John A. Turley. In commenting on them the Journal has the following to say:

Lieutentant E.E. Ewing
     The original orderly sergeant of Company A was here. Thirty years ago today he was severely wounded at Winchester, and left in the hands of the enemy. Hopeless as his case might seem, a combination of circumstances resulted in what could not be improved upon for his welfare. He was kindly cared for by a loyal citizen, through whose kind attentions he was brought to recovery.

Col. John A. Turley
     It is a source of much regret that Col. Turley can not be present at the reunion of the 91st Regiment today. He is now an old man indeed, though the boys thought him old when he so gallantly led them more than thirty years ago. He is now seventy-eight years old, and it may be said that the once sturdy oak is now in the sear and yellow leaf. As he sits in the quiet of his room his mind is doubtless going back to the stirring scenes that today will be commemorated by speech and song. The boys will send him greeting, and well we know their words of cheer will warm the cockles of his heart.

Major J. B. Warwick
     Arrived this morning in time to preside at the opening exercises of the reunion. No man in the regiment was more faithful in the performance of his duties as surgeon than Dr. Warwick. He knew every man and all about his frame, and none received more cordial greetings than he today.

     Tuesday evening the closing exercises were held in the Gallipolis court house in the presence of an immense throng. On this occasion Capt. Ewing read an original poem of great merit, which was greeted with tumultuous applause.

Transcribed by Joyce Robinson

Gallipolis Tribune
August 1, 1894 page 3

Boys of the 91st
Meet in Gallipolis to Swap Hand Shakes and Recall the War
A Large Attendance of Veterans, Plenty to Eat and a Good Time
     The ninth annual reunion of the 91st O.V.I. occurred in this city Tuesday, July 24. The meeting was called to order by Dr. J.B. Warwick of Lucasville, surgeon of the regiment. Then followed a piece of martial music by the Saunders band of Saundersville.
     Mayor Alexander, on behalf of the local veterans and the citizens of Gallipolis welcomed the visitors to the city in a neat speech and assured them every courtesy within the power of the committee, and that none should go away hungry.
     The response was made by Comrade E.E. Ewing of Portsmouth, who was first to put down his name on the roll of company C, formed in this city.
     Col. Vance, who was to have spoken this evening but was compelled to leave on business at one o’clock this afternoon, was called to the stage and made a short address recounting many of the incidents and experiences of the regiment in the South. His talk was characteristic.
     J.W. Longbon, secretary and treasurer of the organization, read the minutes of the last meeting, which was held at Jackson. The minutes were approved and the secretary read a telegram from L.J. Fenton of Winchester, regretting his inability to attend. A long letter from Col. B.F. Coates was read also and expressed his regrets that he could not be present.
     Nominations for officers for the ensuing year were then made as follows:

     Ironton was selected as the place for holding the next reunion.
     Upon the motion of E.S. Wilson the following local committee to decide the time of holding the reunion, was appointed: E.B. Willard, S.B. Steece, Thos. Lewis, John G. Layne and Albert Campbell.
     A collection to defray the expenses of the secretary was taken, which he reported was the largest ever collected at a regimental gathering.
     Comrade J. Boice suggested that a printed postal be sent to every member whose post office address could be obtained, giving the time and place of the next annual meeting.
     Comrade Wilson moved the appointment of a committee to arrange a program for the afternoon meeting. The following committee was appointed: E.E. Ewing, J.M. Alexander and J.F. Martin.
     The afternoon meeting was called to order by Capt. Ewing. “Rally ‘Round the Flag,” was sung and Lieut. Newton R. Warwick introduced, “Marching through Georgia,” followed and Corporal James Tagg talked most eloquently concerning his war experiences. He laid in bed all day Sunday and part of Monday, but got up to come to Gallipolis. The association with old comrades did him more good than any medicine he got at home.
     Capt. A.D. Crossland of Jackson next spoke and was followed with “How it seems to stand face to face with death,” by Capt. E.S. Wilson.
     “Tramp, tramp, tramp, the boys are marching,” was sung and Mayor Alexander introduced.
     Seventy-one members of the 91st registered at the hall.
     At 8 p.m. the boys got together again in the Court House to wind up their day in fitting style. On every side were heard expressions from the veterans of satisfaction over their treatment and experiences during the day.
     Editor E.S. Wilson of Ironton was the first speaker. He dwelt touchingly on the beauty and inspiration of the American Flag, especially when seen in foreign lands. He then went into reminiscences of war times, describing an entrance into battle in vivid language, and bringing out the features of camp life, especially the cooking, in thrilling style. Two or three spicy anecdotes tickled the audience.

     The Program for this evening at the Court House, is as follows with everybody invited:

     All the speeches were good, and the banquet at the wind-up was superb.

NOTES
David W. Saunders of company A, now residing at Saundersville, came in to the reunion with a sheep skin band, playing the same fife which he piped three years during the long and weary marches of the ‘60s.

Transcribed by Kathy Petras