The 13th annual reunion of the 21st MO. Inf. Veterans was held at Memphis, MO on Oct 3-4, 1900.  According to reports, the Opera House was packed the evening of Oct.4th.  On stage were about 40 of the 21st members, with T.W. Holman in the chair.  Speeches, songs and recitations honored the Veterans and entertained the audience.
Earlier that day the business meeting had commenced at 9 A.M.. Following the business meeting the SECRETARY'S REPORT OF SHILOH VISIT BY MEMBERS OF THE 21ST MISSOURI was given.
The comrades of the regiment that were in this battle traveled 1500 miles through seven states, on three rivers by boat leaving Ft. Madison, Iowa on May 24th, 1900 and returning June 9, 1900.  They were there during the May 30, 1900 Memorial Day services.  The following members of the party that participated in the battle:  J.H. Cunningham, Wm. O'Connor, T.W. Holman, G.W. Sheeks, M. Cashman and N.E. Lane.
The purpose of this visit to Shiloh was by request of the U.S. Commissioners to help mark positions of the regiment in the field during the battle April 6th and 7th, 1862.  However, many other locations of roads, unmarked graves and even where Col. Moore’s tent was pitched, were found by the Veterans.  The positions were established with wooden markers with the Government to later cast iron markers to be placed.  These markers are still there at the Shiloh National Military Park.
It had been a busy May for the Veterans, since the G.A.R. Encampment, Dept. of MO. was held at Nevada, MO. on the 16th and 17th with delegates attending.  With these 2 main activities happening, the news reported back at the Memphis Reunion must have been very exciting.
This May 28, 2005, during Memorial Day weekend, Memphis will once again be welcoming the 21st MO. Inf. only this time it will be those Veteran’s sons and daughters.  The descendants of the 21st MO. Inf. are gathering en force to share their relationships and the memorabilia that they have saved and treasured through the years.  They will meet at 9:00 a.m. to form their group and set up their displays of artifacts.  At 10:00 a.m. the public will be welcomed to visit with each of them and see perhaps the largest assortment of Civil War items since the "boys" came home from the war.
Dean Cunningham is the coordinator for the 21st MO. Descendant’s group.  If you are a descendant then you need to contact him to join.  If as a descendant or a non-descendant historian who has 21st MO. items to bring and display, also contact him. Check with him for inclusion of items that relate to the Civil War but perhaps from a Veteran not in the 21st MO.  Call Dean at:  505-839-5286 or email him at: misterc4you@comcast.net
A "Roll of Honor" section will be included in the event newspaper.  This will be a way to honor your Veteran’s name and Unit, along with your name and relationship.  It is not limited to 21st MO. Inf. Veterans.  It will also be a way to help defray the cost of this special edition that will go down in history.  Contact Chris Feeney owner of the Memphis Democrat to submit your entry.  Call him at 660-465-7016 or stop by the office at 121 S. Main, Memphis, MO.
Visit the Shiloh National Military Park online: http://www.nps.gov/shil/
Read the reports of the 21st MO. Veterans Volunteer Infantry Association proceedings from their annual reunions online: http://mo21infantry.tripod.com/21inf.html  .
For more up to date and ongoing information please check the web site www.duvcw.org  For those who do not have internet connections, you can visit the Scotland County Library to use the public computers there for viewing.