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Comrades: Another year has passed into eternity since our last meeting, bringing us all nearer the end. Our society, since its orunization at Louisville, Ky., is growing in favor each year as our story becomes known, and the whole civilized world seems to know it. The past year has added names to our roll of dear old comrades who were true during those days of torture on Morris Island, at Fort Pulaski, Hilton Head and on the prison ship Crescent. These dear old comrades were marked dead on our roll after repeated efforts to find them. In my search for these comrades—they had moved from the residences given while on Morris Island—the postmasters to whom I wrote replied these comrades were dead or unknown.

The new comrades I have found and am in correspondence with are Capt. J. D. Jenkins, of Tennessee, now of Texas; Capt. J. G. Knott, of North Carolina, now of Missouri; J. W. Hughes, Virginia; J. F. Heath, North Carolina; Capt. J. C. Blair, North Carolina. J. C. Allen, of Virginia, now of Missouri, is alive I learn, but I can get no response to my letters and they are not returned. I had information that Capt. W. N. James was alive, but since I wrote him I had a letter from his wife saying the captain had died November, 1909, shortly after receiving my letter. I am trying to find Capt. Bradly, of Tennessee, who, I am informed, is alive. I found Capt. 'Tom' Boyd, of Tennessee, away out in Texas, so we have added to our list, with the name of Capt. J. H. Darden, of North Carolina, eight survivors.

Death has been active in our society in the past year. We have lost some grand old comrades: J. L. Cantwell, Capt. F. C. Lewis, North Carolina; Z. W. Ewing, W. N. James, Tennessee; F. C. Barnes, Virginia; Isaac Kuykendall, W. Va., all true Immortals now. These were all true men of the 600 death has taken from us. Six honored and loved members.

We have two dear old comrades who are in bad physical condition, Capt. Thornton M. Hammack, suffering from paralysis at his home in Sturgis, Ky., and Capt. J. C. Blair, suffering from a fall ​he had ten years ago from which he has never recovered. Comrade Blair is the comrade the nigger sentinel shot in the shoulder at the same time shooting Comrade J. W. Harris in the kneecap, the morning we left Morris Island for the torture prison, Fort Pulaski. I try my best to keep in touch with all our dear old comrades by letter. It is a hard task, but they are my true comrades and the duty is one of love to me.

As directed by vote of society Hon. James Hay, of Virginia, upon my request introduced in Congress for the relief of the survivors of the 600 the following bill which is still in committee unreported, and I have a doubt if it will, owing to the political complexion of the committee and opposition of the G. A. R. Yet the introduction of this bill for our relief has done much to call attention to our claims for justice, and if the Murdock bill or the Taylor bill is acted upon by the committee so must ours be reported or the bill for the relief of Union soldiers is dead.

There will be a political change in the next House of Congress, and I sincerely believe our bill will be passed as all our friends in Congress recognize the justice of our claim. Col. Hay and other members of Congress will see to it that we have fair consideration when the bill comes up. In this matter Judge Jno. N. Southern, of Missouri, has rendered me much aid with legal advice and help in finding laws of belligerency governing our case. I have given 78 books, "Immortal 600," free to members of Congress to post them on our claim.

I have collected now 125 photographs of deceased and living members of our society which will go to the Battle Abbey when finished. I hope before I die to have photographs of all the true 600, that they can be preserved to future generations in the Abbey.

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I cannot make positive statement until the money promised is all paid in; then I shall give names and amounts. In work for our bill before Congress and replying to letters on business for the society I have not had time to make out as clear a statement as I will do at an early day and print.

Comrade Bell introduced the following constitution and by-laws for the government of the Society of the Immortal 600: (Adopted.)

I. This society shall be known as the Society of the Immortal Six Hundred, Confederate officers who remained true unto the end under the retaliation by the United States Government upon us 1864-65.

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