The Portland daily press., 1868-06-18
Second Anniversary of the Por tIaud A rmy
and Navy Union.

Perhaps nothing is more conducive to the
general prosperity of an association, than
celebration of its anniversary, and no set of
men can do it in better shape than our brave
boys in blue. They can chase footballs with
as great eagerness of pursuit as they did reb
els, can hit a target or Johnnie" and are
fully competent to do wonders in the Commits
sary Department. Thus possessing within
themselves all the requisites of good trip to
the islands, it is not strange that the second
anniversary OF the Army and Navy Union yes
terday was a success.
The expedition set sail from the foot of State
street about o'clock, and proceeded to sea un-
der 'sealed ORDERS" which were opened off
breakwater lighthouse Little Chebeague was
ordered as the destination of this combined
military and naval expedition. The island was
reached and captured without any serious op-
position from its two occupants. 1t was dis
covered, upon inspection, that small portion
of the territory had already been occupied by
loyal guard, who Immediately invited the
weary troops to hearty breakfast. The SOL
dier's work being to eat and fight, no sooner
had the viands disappeared than the sports of
the day were entered upon. Football, base
ball, quoits, swinging and target shooting en-
gagged the attention of the company for several
hours. AT 2 o'clock the bugle sounded for din
ner, and the boys evidently understood the sig
nal. A court martial was then organized for
the trial of such Offenders as might be brought
before it. Several hand-cuffed prisoners were
brought in and arraigned, when the court pro-
ceeded with the trial of Capt. Perry. p. Bon
TuJ-
government and E. III. ElweI1 Of the Tran
script, for the prisoner After an impartial
hearing he was adiudged guilty and sentenced
to march around the island under guard of
soldiers, with fixed bayonets, to the tune of
The Rogue's March. The sentence was about
being carried into effect when the convict de-
manded that it should be exebuted literally.
Upon the discovery that there were no bayo-
nets upon the island, proceedings came to a
dead stand, and the prisoner was once more
free man.
The result of the target shooting was then
announced. Each contestant was allowed three
shots, and the best average secured the prize
The best single shot of persons not connected
with the Association was by G. w. Merrill
who hit one inch from the centre of the target
Best average shot by o, Adams, of Biddeford
IL inches, who received the prize. Of mem
bers of the Union, the first prize was awarded
to DR.. S. G. Gordon its President, whose aver
age was IA inches. The second prize was
given to A. l. Hodgdon, whose average was
IA inches. The best single shots were made
by G. X. Lombard and G. E. Somerby, l 1-2 in
ches.
Capt. Knight, of the Star. presented Dr. Cor
don with his beautiful silver prize in a neat
speech. Last, but not least, came the award to
the poorest marksman, of a leather medel and
bottle of Hendricks bitters. Our neghbor
was again called from the ranks, and adorned
with this star of honor at the same time CRATE.
fully receiving the "btters" as partial remedy
for his wounded feelings. The Captain is con-
sdered very skillful marksman, and his
friends wondered (?) at his unusual bad luck
of yesterday.
About thlty members of the 9th Maine Reg
iment were present, who formed regimental
association, with the following officers: Presi-
dent-Col. HI. r. Millett; Vice Presidents
VIM. w. True, Jonathan Cole, o. B. Adams;
Secretary-Lucius NJ Clark; Treasurer-John
H. Stevens; Surgeon-Frank G.. Warren;
SuaI tCIHidSGcI-W w Ill. ID. Il emerson, ClaDlaIn
George w. Bicknell; Directors-George e.
Brown, George A. Chandler, Alonzo Haley,
Frank G. Kimball.
These brave men of this brave regiment,
many of whom had not seen each other since
they were mustered out OF the service, amid
all the sports of the day, were not unmindful
of their noble comrades who laid down their
lives. They united in brief but impressive
memorial service, the band playing a dirge, the
veterans standing, uncovered, with bowed
heads. .
The Jolly tars" held an impromptu meeting,
with Capt. Charles B. Staples as President,
Upon their return the Association was met
at the wharf by the Mechanic Blues, Captain
Parker, who escorted the excursionists to their
hall, corner of Plum and Middle streets The
Union then voted thanks to the past members
of the 9TH Regiment who united with them.
and to the Blues for the courtesy of their es-
cort. They then adjourned with rousng cheers
for the old flag, and Tor the pleasant return of
many anniversaries to the Portland Army and
Navy Union.