The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-06-07
Anniversary Of the Portland Light Infantry


Anniversary Of the Portland Light Infantry
This old and honorable military organiza
tion, which has kept up its regulsr annual 90
servance from its organization in 1908, ceie
brated Its 62d anniversary yesterday at Clap
board Island. At $50 A. M. the company ant
few invited friends, numbering about seven
ty five In all, took passage on q small bu
beautiful steamer, the Captain Of tbs vesse
sailing under "seaIed orders," and not know
ing the place of destination till the. lines ha1
been cast of and the steamer was skimuin,
the waters like sea bird. The object OF thi
secrecy on the part OF the committee who ha'
the matter In charge, was to secure, what some
times they have heretofore failed to enjoy,
private and select celebration, unannoyed b.
oficious obtruders who, knowing the place o.
meeting, were sure to be on hand in large
numbers to the great Inconvenience OF those
who paid the bills aud were entitled to mo-
nopoly Of the epjoyments of the occasion i
The day was delightful. the atmosphere clear
and bracing, the sun and skies bright and in
spring, and combination Of pleasanter sur
roundings It would have been difficult to Sc
cure.
We noticed among those, present three
venerable gentlemen, past commanders Of the
eompany, al OF whom belonged 10 ii and did
duty during the war Of 1612-15. These were
Nathaniel shaw, Jonathan Smith and BenIa-
min Ilsley. The former, now IS years Of age,
was Captain OF the company at that time, and
performed escort duty At the obsequies, OF
Captains Burroughs aud Blythe Of the aEnter-
prize and "Boxer,r both Of whom fellrin the
memorable engagement between those two
vessels just outside the harbor. The two gal
liant commanders, enemies 10 life, have for
nearly fifty years slept soundly and peacefully.
side By side, iu the old Eastern Cemetery on
Congress street, at the foot Of Munjoy.
Olapboard Island proved to be delightful
spot for the festivities OF the occasion yester-
day. The thick clean wood, free from under
brush, afforded grateful shade. and the COM
pany had very little 10 do except to drink in
enjoyment without let or hindrance. 4 very
inviting collation. was served up az II O'Clock,
TO give the company good appetite for the
chowder that was to, follow. Between the
collation. and chowder The target flring came
of, the prizes being two gold medals Of the.
value Of $40 and 50 respectively. e.s.is
The frat prize was won BY Stephen Emer-
son, who made not only the BEST shot, but the
best average Of three shots - the three being
I, 10 inches, 2 So and I 2; average, s rs
inches.s Mr.. Emerson took the flrst price IA
silver cup,-at the anniversary in 1888. and had
the cup with him yesterday TO exhibit as
trophy Of his ancient marksmanship. .se !.
The second prize was won by Henry p.
Deane, d former LIeusenan OF the company.
His shots were S5ls, SIP and 8 8 inches !;
average i-8. DIR. Mason made the next best
average shots, and the second best single shot.
There were other good shots made, but We
took no note OF them. n res mr. ~ ss. e
Its proper to state that the target prac-
tice was opened By past commander Jonathan
Smith, who hit the target twice out of three
times. Capt. Ilsley fired once; but Capt.
Shaw declined 20 enter the list, Ia consequences
Of dimmed eyesight and the infrmities OF age.
The common Sprinneld rife was used, 1.-The
same as now In common nse in the army
held at arms length, distance 100 yards.
The representative of the city press were
allo eed to compete with others for the prizes
and we shall be pardoned II we say that the
editor Of the Press succeeded, as he trusts he
may ever do, in making the best shot,-hit-
ting the target twice, while bis editorial neigh
bors Of the Argus and Advertiser succeeded
admirably In saving the pine lumber OF the
target from injury, and, like John Randolph,
in wasting their are in the air.a The .sboys,"
however, did as well as could be expected, and
may yet succeed In becoming adopts In the use
Of the shooting stick" Mr.. Harmon, the fore
man Of the argus Office, and Mr.. Elwell Of the
Transcript, made one good shot each, and
proved second best among the typos and press
Representatives Of the city. May the future
shooting Of the editorial corps ever prove as
harmless and pleasant IS was that Of yester-
daysts mo- .49Iaafg0ag 10 gaanIA sH
At o'clock the drum-beat summoned the
company TO the chowder table. where al ex-
cellent repasswas provided BY Mr.. j Parting
ton the caterer for the occasion, who did himself
credit, and 10 whose sumptuous board thu
company paid their respects with right good
will. The sfragmenls that were left were
sufficient to oil, we know not how many bas-
cts. s. ~ 4: 80 .g.., IS B
Atthe close Of the repast, an organization
was effected By calling past commander Jona-
Smith to the chair. Mr., s. accepted the hon
or with appropriate remarks, closing with the
following sentiment, which was received with
rapturous applause: & GO, VS. ~ ~ e
George washington, the founder Of the RspOb'sc,
and Andrew Jackson, the defender Of the ssme:-
Their name. Will ever stand upon the pinnacle Of
American glory. ~ = ssF n ,ftra-s.
Past Commander Nathaniel Shaw made 4
few remarks, giving an interesting sketch Of
the early history Of the Portland Light Infant
ny, which he Joined at the early age Of IS
years, and which was on duty in the war Of
1912, and was the first full company Z Of
the tst Maine regiment to respond to the Pres
ident's call for rs 900 men 10 April, 1851. q
Lieut. HIP. Deane followed In speech OF
considerable length and great interest, closing
with the following sentiment: sasHsF siEmsl
Our Rag. ths symbol Of our National Glory ana
Power. and the harbinger OF Liberty to the world.
J.-T. Gilman, Of the Press, was called upon
and responded in brief speech upon the re-
cent struggle and the bright prospects Of the
country. ei5cd ssg isea!lI
Ell. Elwell of the Transcript, made very
pleasant speech, CLOSING with the following SEN
timent: ssgg7la a' la 91sg97g
Our Citizen sodiery- their yalor they have pre-.
served the integrity of the nation, and given IL
proud position ainona the powersof the earth; their
services de the lasting gratitude OF the people,
and will never be forgot on long ns the stars and
stripes wave over the eontinent-which win DO for
ever.
Mr.. McGregor, OF the Advertiser, was call
ed upon, unfinished upon being excused, Tbs
same remark may be made in relation to DR.
Mason, Mr.. ,Somerby and several others. i
Lt.W. Il. Ayers declined TO make speech
but offered the following sentiment; So
The p. L. 1. Annifsrsary-M the celebration thi
ha fharl iufr a., fhof ahan fhaa hall m