The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-07-06
Celebration at Bath.


gramme, with procession, collation., sentiments
and speeches, took place in our sister city on
the lower Kennebec, it is no more than fair
that it should receive something besides
mere passing notice.
The particular feature OF the event was the
welcome reception to the returned veterans of
Companies A and d, raised in that city, of the
3D. Maine Regiment. The rain of Saturday
night had put the streets in excellent condi-
ton, so thai no dust annoyed the multitudes
that thronged every portion OF the city, and
more beautiful day has seldom dawned to
gladden. the hearts OF festive community.
National salutes were bred from the Park at
sunrise, noon and sunset, accompanied by the
ringing of the bells, and the usual noise aud
din which "Young America" is never slow to
furnish on such occasions.
At 10 o'clock procession was formed in
front OF the City Hall, under the direction of
Mr.. j. w. Wakefield, Chief Marshal, assisted
by large corps OF aids-all mounted-con-
sisting of flremen in uniform, the city govern
ment, returned soldiers, strangers and citizens,
preceded by the Augusta Brass Band, which
proceeded through the principal streets-at
many points hung with flags and streamers
and beautifully deeorated-to the Park, ar
irving about noon, where tables were spread
in the shade of the trees for bountiful COLA
ton.
In the procession, in one carriage, were three
old soldiers-the oldest persons in the city
Messrs. Covell, Allen and 0sgood, all born in
lT6s, whose united ages amounted to 2SS
years. Probably similar trio cannot be
found in the State. Mr.. Allen retains much
Of his former yigor, attends church regularly
the Swedenborgian-snd we saw him on Sun
day last, on his way home from meeting
walking with a step by no means unelastic.
The great feature of the procession was its
floral display. This was made up from the
public schools, under the direction aud super
vision of the teachers, and was the observed
Of all observers. Many OF the beautifully
decorated carriages presented tableaux OF sur
passing beauty.
Arrived at the Park, and seated around the
tables, devout prayer was offered by the
chaplain, Rev. C. Fuller, receatly of this city,
and then the collation., almost infinite in va
rieiy, boundless in extent and every way
worthy of the occasion, was discussed with
keen relish by the hungry multitude.
Then followed repast of more intellectu-
al character. The Mayor, Hon. Israel Put
man, presided, and after few words OF well
come introduced the Toast Master, Elisha
Clarke, Esq, who read the toasts. which
we're responded to by various gentlemen, and
by music from the band. We have no list OF
the sentiments. and took no notes Of the
speeches. The first toast, "0ur Country
was responded to By J. t. Gilman, of the
Portland Press, and the one complimentary to
the Returned Soldiers" was responded to
with much spirit and feeling by Col. +. d.
Sewall, formerly OF the 10Th Maine, but now
Provost Marshal General of Connecticut.
Other able speeches were made by Rev. 5. f.
Dixie, Rev. J. o. Riske, and Rev. Geo. p.
Mathews, of Bath; Mr.. Duaton, Principal OF
the Bath High School, J. NJ. Lincoln, Esq,
aud Mr. james /. Belcher, of the Times. Mr..
Fiske has just returned from the "front,
where he had been doing good service under
The auspices of the Christian Commission
aud his incidents of the war and general re.
marks were Of the most interesting, patri-
otto and hopeful character.
Rev. John Dudley, of New Haven, was
present, and in response TO u call from the
Mayor made an excellent speech which was
enthusiastically cheered. lie pledged the Old
Nutmeg State to stand shoulder to shoulder
and hand in hand with the Dirigo State in up.
holding the Government and in thwartng the
designs of its enemies. He gave an interest.
ing and humorous history OF some of the op-
creations OF the "0ld South Church" in his
city, and its copperhead PASTOR church
largely supported and upheld by the editor oil
the New York Journal Of Commerce.
In this connection, and as an interesting
conclusion of an article more of local than
general interest, we copy from paper pub.
lished by us in 1853, in Bath, brief history
Of the "big gum used ON the Fourth" ia fir.
ing the national salutes, which was written by
the late Judge Groton, OF Bath. 1t will be
seen that the gun referred to has reyolu,
tionary history Of no small interest
"ThE GUN ON THE PARK.-This cannon
is an iron twelve FOUNDER was cast in the
reign OF George LIST, aud bears his armor and
the broad arrow. 1t was one of the quarter.
deck guns OF his majesty's armed ship, Som.
erset, and was ia service on board that ship al
the battle OF Bunker Hill, June II, 1915. The
Somerset and Lively, men-of-war, then Law
near the site of the present navy yard at
Charlestown, aud within point blank shot Of
the redoubt. These ships with the floating
batteries, at daylight ia the morning, opened
heavy fire on the redoubt, where the monu
ment now stands, and continued Il through
the day, aud till the battle was over-late in
the afternoon. The Somerset, which had this
gun, moved up Charles river, and raked the
Neck, over which the Americans retreated
In this retreat Major AnGrew McLeary. Of
| Starks regiment, was instantly killed by q
underground cannon shot from the Somerset
| fred, it may be, from this same gun.
sin March, l1i6, Gen. Washington. then in
command OF The besieging army at G cambridge
and Dorchester flights, compelled the British
army and fleet TO leave Boston and its hsrbor
The Somerset with the other ships sailed (o,
Halifax, and again for New York. On the
| passage the Somerset was cast away on Cane
| Cod and abandoned. The late Maior Joshus
| >haw, with other adventures, visited the
wreck, and this old gun fell to his share O
! the salvage. He brought it to Bath. 1t wa,
hauled up on the hill near the old North