HISTORY OF THE ORPHAN BRIGADE.

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and after prayer by Rev. Joseph Desha Pickett, the command disbanded to meet at Elizabethtown, September 19, 1884.

" The meeting at Elizabethtown (September 20th, 1884), (the third one), was the largest since the war   several Federal soldiers being present also.

" In the afternoon the brigade was formed by Gen. Lewis to escort the remains of Gen. Helm to Helm Place for interment, after which the veterans proceeded to a neighboring grove, where addresses were delivered by Col. J. P. Nuckols, Generals Buckner and Lewis and Gov. Knott.

" On their return to town they marched to the cemetery to visit the grave of Judge Martin Hardin Cofer, lieutenant-colonel of the Sixth Kentucky, (Chief Justice of Kentucky at his death).

"At the night session, Col. John W. Caldwell, of Russellville, was elected president, and John A. Murray, of Glasgow, secretary. The First Kentucky Cavalry was elected to brigade membership. Glasgow, (August, 1885), were made the time and place of next meeting. Col. Bennett H. Young, President of the Louisville Exposition, invited the brigade to visit it.

" The fourth reunion was held accordingly, August 19th, 1885. The people of Glasgow and for miles around, gave the veterans a royal welcome. The special train bringing those from Louisville and points along the road was met by an escort composed of the Nuckols Guards and a mounted squadron of ' Morgan's men.' All marched to the courthouse, where they were welcomed by Maj. W. H. Botts. Generals Buckner and Preston responded. A most interesting business meeting was called to order by Col. John W, Caldwell.

Cynthiana was selected as the next place of meeting, Capt. Joe Desha, president, and John T. Hogg, secretary, for the ensuing year.

" A banquet and ball a concluded the exercises of the occasion.

"The fifth annual reunion was held at Cynthiana, August iSth, 1886. Five thousand people filled this town to-day to see the Orphan Brigade, which after a march met in the Opera House. Called to order by the President, Capt. Jo Desha, and prayer by Rev. Jos. Desha Pickett, the command and visitors were welcomed by Capt. W. H. Ratcliffe, of Cynthiana. Gen. Jos. H. Lewis responded in behalf of the brigade. Short speeches appropriate to the occasion were made by Gen. Wm. Preston, Gov. C. W. West, of Utah, Col. W. C. P. Breckinridge, and Col. Polk Johnson.

"After roll-call, it was resolved, on motion of J. A. Murray, that Willis L. Ringo be designated Permanent Secretary of the Association, and a sum be raised to provide a permanent Record-book containing the names, post-office address, and occupations of all the survivors of