The Portland daily press., 1868-06-25
The r. vi. MS. Excursion.


The r. vi. B,s. Excursion.
Yesterday was the 6lst anniversary Of the
Portland Mechanic Blues, and it was very APP
proprlately celebrated by an excursion to Lit
tie Chebeagu Island, participated in by the
present members and about one hundred i :
VIted guests. The steamer Gazelle was Chart
tefed Tor this purpose and pleasanter or safer
island boat cannot be found on the coast The
excurslonists were to start from State street
wharf at A. NJ, and were on the ground
promptly but on account of the steamers be-
Ing on the ground too early, they did not get
awav till 915 A. M. The werther in the morn
ing had threatening aspect and the wind
blew from the northeast, cold and damp, but
the genial smiling faces of the company fully
reciprocated for the unpleasantness of the
weather, and all started off happy and rer-
fectly satisfied with the prospects of the days
| pleasures
During the beautiful sail down, the Portland
Band discoursed excellent music, and jolty
was added to the occasion by Harry Daniels
| representation OF the French opera. Harry is
genius in his way and has a power of voice
to compare with his talent as caterer. Ar
irving at the Island the P. M. BIS landed and
the place was taken without struggle, and
without even calling into requsition the gen.
| eralship of our brave Governor who accom-
| panied the expedition.
| Marching to the beautiful grove located on
the most prominent part of the Island, arms
were stacked and the company resorted to
games of base ball, euchre and foot ball for
| amusement.
1 nx,I
| every man came bravely to the work and
| showed due appreciation of the we'll spread
| board. Pork and beans, cold meats, lobster
| salad, sc. in abundance, and a half hour was
| spent in attending to the inner man, for most
of the party had started before breakfast and
| the pleasant sail down had tendency to
sharpen the appetite.
| After breakfast came the target shooting
which occupied two hours of the afternoon.
The first prize a silver watch, was awarded to
| private Thos. F. Donahue, whose shots sver-
| aged % "a inches from the bulls eye. The
next best shot was made by private Orrer E.
| Hilton, who received a silver goblet as pres
ent. Lieut.. Chas. Pencil was unfortunate
enough to make the poorest shot, for which
particular mark of gallantry he received tin
gun beautifully painted red and blue. The
best single shot was made by private Frank s.
Follett. The three best shots were made by
| members of the pony section, commanded by
Lieut.. James f. Brown and backed by Harry
Daniels on "wooP' as he expressed it. OF the
amater5 the best shot was made by Leonard
Eustice, prize gold chain; the next best by 7.
B. Bailey, honorary memberlof this company;
and the third best by G. I'll. Farley, who pro-
baby had one of Ritcke's compasses to aid
him. Col. J. f. Miller made the poorest shot
for which he received tin sword.
After the target shooting a court martial was
organized and Harry Daniels was arraigned
on search and seizure process.
J. Frank Miller, Esq, as Judge Advocate, ap-
paared for the Government Several witnesses
were examined and on account of the conflict
ing testimony were put in custody The Judge
didn't seem to disposed to give the prisoner
justice, and Harry demanded counsel. Judge
Goddard came to the rescue, and after his plea
the jury acquitted him, as it was evident that
it was a false charge.
Ala o'clock p. M. the bugle sounded for
dinner and after the clam ehowder was par
taken of the following toast were offered and
responded to, as follows: -s--N----------
Our Goumfry-Revered be the name of the Great
Republic her "empire is destined 10 be limited only
by the ocean, and her fame by the stars"
Responded to by Judge Goddard.
Our StIte-Dirgo was put upon her banner In the
great days of Webster and Clay; and it did come
down in the greater days OF Lincoln and Grant.
Responded to by Gov. Chamberlain.
Our Cty-To the commerce of the great West and
to the commerce of the sea- she is destined to hang
out the clamp OF beauty" on all the high places Of
her business, her enterprise and her capital.
Responded to by f. N. Dow, Esq.
The Day zoe Celebrate-Its significance to us in
emn duties done for brothers and country,
well as OF the convival sports OF its hreescore cele
bIatiOns.
Responded to by Capt. Parker and Col. Geo.
B. Starbird.
The Army and May Union-May they long be
happy COUPLE and may the fruits of their Union be
fralernal spirit one toward another, that then
wherever our flag floats upon the land or upon the
sea, there shall be but one heart and one hand be-
tween them.
Responded to by Capt. Thones
The Grand Army Of the Repablic-The defenders
of National lite, and the guardians of her honor.
Responded to by Col. j. F. Miller.
The Portland Light htdntry-We rejoice at their
reorganization, and congratulate them as brothers,
endeared to us by common hardships and common
peris; may their future be as happy as their past
has been glorious.
Responded to by Lieut.. Reeves.
Our Honorary Members-The memory of their
deeds grows brighter year by year, may cir purses
never be less unto the "perfect day.
Responded to by l.. B. bennett.
The Members Of the Press-They followed the flag
everywhere during the war, and cheered it. We
welcome them here.
Responded to by E. H. Ewell.
Ats O'Clock we started on the return, and had
very pleasant sail up the harbor. In fact, on
the whole, the day was very favorable and
pleasant, and long will be remembered the
61st anniversary celebration of the Portland
Mechanic Blues by those whose good fortune
it was to participate in it.
We all have reason TO thank Col. T. A. Rob-
erts for his active, untiring and successful
efforts to make the excursion satisfactory and
one of pleasure to ALL
After the return there was dress parade at
the head of High street, and by this, Capt
Parker and the active members of his COM
pany gave eminent success to large crowd
and went through the maneuvers with won
derful precision. This is a company of which
we can justly be proud, and one that is an
honor to our State.