The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-07-12
Celebrations the Fourth.

Celebrations the Fourth.
We have received lengthy accounts of Gel
ebrations the 18th of July at West Barnet and
also at Ryegate and Wheelock. Their length
prevents their publication entire in our paper.
At West Barnet
they had procession Of four or FIVE hundred
people, headed by martial music and the
Home Guards, Capt. Fuller. They marched
to the church, listened to songs by Miss
Graham's school, and the reading of the
Declaration of independence. From the
church the procession went to the tables,
where the ladies had furnished a bountifu!
repast, of Which all were invited to partake.
After ample justice had been done to this
contribution of the ladies, there were regular
ard volunteer toasts, and the usual flow of
sentiment and wit. The occasion was pleas
ant ard joyous to the end.
At Ryegate
the S5th anniversary Of our independence
Was celebrated with great enthusiasm. The
exercises were held in beautiful grove on
the premises Of \. & J. 3. Nelson. The Off
GERS of the day were John Cameron, ESQ.,,
president, ; Robert Cochran, marshal; James
White, POSTMASTER and Achibald Cochran,
monitor. A military company, called the
Blue Mountain Shields, Capt. VIM. ]. Hem
derson, added much to the interest Of the
occasion. At the grove orations were deilv-
cred and speeches made by Rev. John Bole
and Rev. James NJ. Beattie. \. Jackson Park
and I. J. Mcclure and the Declaration Of
Independence read BY James White, ESQ
But perhaps the most interesting part of the
days entertainment was the presentation of
beautiful flag to the Blue Mountain Shields
by Miss Martha Nelson, a lass of twelve
years. accompanied by an appropriate little
speech, as follows:
Capt. IIenderson,-Allow me to present
TO YOU my Union Staff Flag, as token of re-
spect to you and Your company, and in honor
of the Union." Then advancing a little she
presented the flag, saying, Stand by the
Union.' Capt. II. OH receiving it turned to
his company and said, "Three cheers for
Miss Nelson. lady whose youthful beauty
!. eclipsed only by her patriotism The
cheers were heartily given by the soldiers, TO
which She replied, Officers and soldiers, see
tina, Your staff flag is not dissraced by any
foe of the Inion.' Capt. Henderson then
responded as follows: Miss Nelson,-lhe
response which this beautiful present has
elected from the officers and soldiers of the
Blue Mountain Shields. is but faint express
sion of their fealty to the flag, or their ADM
ration of The manner in which it has been
presented. Whenever or wherever this flag
appears you will find us ready to cheer and
when treason aspires to pull this banner
down, We have an arm to raise and a blow
to strike in its defense. Accept for this
beautiful banner our sincere thanks and kind
regards and may We, whether upon northern
hills or southern plains, indeed stand by the
flag. May it. starry folds protect you and
yours so long as the sun continues to pain
on the rain-cloud the promise Of God
After this there was picnic, ,oasts, etc.
and every one went away feeling patriotic
and consequently happy.
At Wheelock
the patriots of that and neighbor:ng town
gathered the 4th, to celebrate the day i
some appropriate manner Hon. William
Chase and Capt Horace Drown were ap
pointed marshals of the day. A procession
selected, and there flung to the breeze
beautiful flag thirty feet long and twenty fee
wide, with three hearty cheers for the star
and stripes. The procession then marche
to the grove of Mr.. Suloway. where they Ii:
tened 10 prayer by heV. J. W oounan, III
Star Spangled Banner and America by tn
choir, an address by 7. J. Cree, Esq, reac
ing of the Declaration Of independence b
II. S. Bickford, an Grafton by Rev. J. Woo
man, and a patriotic speech by Mr.. Alfre
Lamb of Sheffield. The people assemble
then proceeded to the tables, which wei
beautifully loaded with all that could be d
sired After the repast there was the usu
winding up of toasts, cheers, salutes, &c
;, when the crowd dispersed to their home
u well satisfied with the manner in which the
u had spent the day.