The terms of the circular which I have read, embrace the officers of the former Army of the Ohio, the same in everything but in name with the Army of the Cumberland, and accordingly the Committee of Arrangements deemed it within their province to extend a special invitation to meet with us, to MAJOR GENERAL D. C. BUELL, the organizer and commander of the Army of the Ohio. It is no part of my duty to present a history of either. That has been assigned to more competent hands. But even in this salutation, I ought not to pass, without grateful mention, the name of that accomplished soldier, who, from the mistaken judgments, and slights of cotemporary criticism, must appeal for justice first to the better knowledge of those whom he educated, organized, and disciplined to their own victorious success, and then to the impartial verdict of history.

Neither will it be regarded as out of place, I am sure, to refer, in this connection, to that other distinguished commander, whose absence we all must regret-MAJOR GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. He conferred upon the Army of the Cumberland its appellation, and made it a name. Let it be our pride to cherish his! The days of his leadership were days of difficulty and hardships, of victories so hardly won as by some to be thought little better than defeats, as if an easy victory could be called a triumph. But if success consist in the attainment of the end aimed at, and is magnified by the disproportion of the means employed, then may we confidently claim Stone River and Chickamauga as among not the least of the glories of our victorious arms.

Another name completes the list of the commanders of the Army of the Cumberland, in the mention of which I am already anticipated-Major General GEORGE H. THOMAS. We rejoice in his presence with us to-day. He was the backbone of that army always. He grew finally to be its head. He was with it from the beginning to the end-from the opening victory of Mill Spring, to the final triumph at Nashville. May he remain with us yet for a long time to come! An affectionate respect forbids, in his presence, the mention of the praise which is his due. In one point,

he has been the most fortunate of men—if he has ever committed a mistake, it has not yet been discovered.

The advent of peace and the disbanding of our armies, scattered us widely to our homes and to our former pursuits. Many have remained in their chosen profession of arms, bred to its business in our National Military Academy, and following it as the regular occupation of life. The sympathy established by the intimate intercourse of a common service between the educated soldier and the volunteer, is renewed to-day. Each has won from the other new titles to respect; both have learned the secret of true soldiership, born in all who possess the noble and generous qualities of our common nature, and which, as the result of the best training in military science and art, becomes consummate and complete in the character and career of such as was the brave and gentlehearted HARKER.

The sound of that name wakes the memories of the many dead but unforgotten braves, which must mellow the gladness of our greetings! Who shall number and commemorate them?

Alas! the chambers of each heart are hung with pictures of its own, with inscriptions of friendship to the gallant and devoted dead.

Let each look, and read, in silence and in tears.

To our distinguished guests-to our brothers in arms of the noble Army of the Tennessee, mingling with us to-day-to their great chief, LIEUTENANT GENERAL SHERMAN, who organized the germ which expanded into the Army of the Cumberland, and which afterward fought under his eye and his command-in all whose deeds and fame we claim a property-to one and all, we tender our hearty and cordial welcome.

On motion of COLONEL J. P. JACKSON, the thanks of the meeting were tendered to COLONEL MATTHEWS for his hearty and stirring words of 'welcome.

On motion of COLONEL HUNTER BROOKE, it was

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to draft and report a constitution as a basis for the organization of the "SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND.”

The Chair appointed as the committee:

COLONEL HUNTER BROOKE,

GENERAL HENRY STONE,

GENERAL JAMES BARNETT.

On motion of COLONEL L. A. HARRIS, it was

Resolved, That a Committee on Banquet and Toasts be appointed.

The Chair appointed as the committee:

GENERAL JACOB D. Cox,

GENERAL S. W. PRICE,

GENERAL DURBIN WARD,

GENERAL CHARLES CRUFT,

GENERAL E. A. PARROTT,

GENERAL S. J. MCGROARTY.

On motion of COLONEL N. L. ANDERSON, the corresponding secretary of the Committee of Arrangements then read from a large number of letters received by him from officers of the old Army of the Cumberland, and from other distinguished officers.

During the reading of a few of the most prominent of the letters, a motion was made and carried to adjourn and meet again at 3 o'clock P. M.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Mozart Hall, Thursday, February 6, 1868.

The Committee of Arrangements, finding that the number of officers at the meeting was more than could be accommodated in Hopkins' Hall, during the interim engaged Mozart Hall, on the north-west corner of Longworth and Vine streets, for the place of assembling in the afternoon; and at 3 o'clock, the meeting was called to order by the Chairman.

A motion was made and adopted inviting GENERAL THOMAS, GENERAL SHERMAN, and GENERAL Cox to seats on the platform. A similar motion was made and carried, extending the like courtesy to GENERAL WOOD and GENERAL JOHNSON. Another motion was adopted to include all general officers-in these motions-to take seats on the platform.

GENERAL HENRY STONE, from the Committee on Constitution, reported a draft of a constitution, as follows:

CONSTITUTION.

ARTICLE I. The name and title of this Association shall be the "SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND," and shall include every officer who has at any time served with honor in that army. Honorary members may be elected from those officers who have become distinguished in any of the armies of the United States.

ART. II. The object of the Society shall be to perpetuate the memory of the fortunes and achievements of the Army of the Cumberland-to preserve that unanimity of loyal sentiment and that kind and cordial feeling which has been an eminent charac

teristic of this army, and the main element of the power and success of its efforts in behalf of the cause of the Union.

The history and the glory of the officers belonging to this army, who have fallen either on the field of battle or otherwise in the line of their duty, shall be a permanent and sacred trust to this Society, and every effort shall be made to collect and preserve the proper memorials of their services, to inscribe their names upon the roll of honor, and transmit their fame to posterity.

It shall also be the object and bounden duty of this Society to relieve, as far as possible, the families of such deceased officers when in indigent circumstances, either by the voluntary contributions of the members, or in such other manner as they may determine when the cases are brought to their attention.

This provision shall also apply to the suffering families of those members of the Society who may, in the future, be called hence, and the welfare of the soldier's widow and orphan shall forever be a holy trust in the hands of his surviving comrades.

ART. III. For the purpose of effecting these objects, the Society shall be organized by the annual election of a President, five Vice Presidents, a Corresponding Secretary, a Recording Secretary, and a Treasurer.

The Society shall meet once in every year, the time and place of the next meeting to be selected by ballot at each meeting.

All members of the Society, who are prevented by any cause from personally attending, are expected to notify the corresponding secretary, and to impart such information in regard to themselves as they may think proper, and as may be of interest to their brother officers.

Having a fraternal feeling for, and honoring the glorious efforts of, our brothers-in-arms belonging to other armies who have shared with us the service of reëstablishing our Government, the president and either of the vice presidents shall be authorized to invite the attendance of any officer of the United States armies at any of our annual meetings.