Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-10-29

uOt.
Responded to by Col, Mead, and Lieut-
Col. W, W, Grout,
Gettysburgh,
Responded 10 by Colonel Wheeloek q,
veazey,
Chapins Farm and the storming of
Fort Harrison,
Responded to by Gen. George J, Stan
nard.
The National Congress,
Responded to by Hon, George f. Ed.
munds.
Cold Harbor,
Responded to by Gen, VIM, W, Henry,
and Col. s. Z. Pingree.
Cedar Creek,
Responded to by Gen. VIM. Wells and
Lieut.. Willard Harrington,
The Rank and File Without whose
stubborn fighting their officers would have
secured but few honors.
Responded to by General George p,
Foster.
To the Memory of the Dead,-Those
who gave their lives that the Nation
might live.
This toast was received in silence, the
officers standing, while dirge was played
by the band.
The Vermont Officers Re-Union SO.
oiety Its purpose, condition and pros
poets.
Responded to by Lieut.. G.. G. Benedict
The Orator Of the Evening.
Responded to by Gen, P, I. Washburn
who, in few appropriate remarks, and in
his peculiarly happy manner, presented to
the Society the Head Quarters Flag Of
the Sixth Corps, present from Lieut.
Col. James II. Platt.
As Gen. Washburn spoke he unfolded
the flag, AT the sight.ofsthe well-known
forked pennant of blue, with its white
cross, and red figure 6, the whole Society
sprang TO their feet by a common impulse,
like one man, and gave three cheers and .
tiger for the old flag.
President elect Pingree, TO whom Gen
Ripley had relinquished the chair
received the flag, and speaking with obyi'
Gus emotion, said:
Gen. Washburn, l accept, in behalf OF
the Society, this token 50 fraught with
sacred recollections under which SO
many Of US fought, and which bring
back to us so strongly the honored mem
ory Of the brave and lamented Sedgwick
that hero whom we all learned to love SC
dearly. | confess that on seeing this flag
unfol6ed here, where we are surrounded
by all that exalts and ennobles the arts Of
peace, speak in acceptance of it with 1
distrust, diffidence. | never felt wheI
we followed it into the din of battle. i
brings memories OF scenes never TO b'
forgotten; memories of sorrow for oul
general who fell beneath it in the fore
most angle of our front line of works al
Spottsylyania | stood but few rod
from him as the bullet pierced his eye
Colonel Pingree went on to describe Sedg
wick's fall. He proceeded This ta5
recalls, too, memories of peculiar Joy
We looked up to it as beacon light
We knew when We saw 1t that y mel,
John" Sedgwick twas there.sWe followed
it always with the feeling which the cru
saders felt towards the heart of Bruce
when Douglass flung it before them, int
the ranks of the Saraoens with the cry
dead on brave heart, as thou vert wont
Douglass will follow thee or die. w
never saw that fisg turned one foot to tn
rear, save by orders from higher sourc
than the general of the Sixth Corps
We saw it at Fredericksburgh and Ante
tam and Charlottesville, where 1000
rebels by Gen. Lees official report, wer
repulsed by 10000 of the Sixth Corps
and at Gettysburg. We saw it when W
were repulsed. We were sometimes repul
ed, but never defeated. We accept it, an
we will guard and treasure it in honor c
the scenes through which it has passed
and in memory of the gallant genera
who died beneath it.
Long applause followed these remarks
after which the Corresponding Secretary
Lieut.. Benedict, read the letter of pre-
sentation from Lieut. Col. Plat.
On motion of Gen, Ripley, the Core:
ponding Secretary was directed to expires
to Col. Platt the thanks Of the Association
for his generous donation of this priceless
treasure.
Gen. Stannard offered the following
sentiment:
The Orphans Of oar Fallen Heroes
Their claims upon our patriotism and hu
manity.
Appropriately responded to by Chaplain
Mack.
On motion of Gen. Thomas, the thank
of the Society were voted to the ladies o
the Congregational Society for their kinC
attentions, and for the excellent suppe
furnished by them, which contributed 5,
largely to the pleasure of this reunion.
On motion of Capt. Lonergan, vote Q
well-merited thanks was also bestowe,
upon the band and singers, who had inter
spersed some very acceptable longs, TO
their efficient services.
On motion of Gen. Thomas, the thank
of the Society were rendered to Gen. Rip
ley for the able and courteous manner j
which at our last two reunions he ha
performed the duties of President of tn,
Society.
The Society then joined in singing
/" America with heaIty and harmoniou
voices, and on motion of Gen. Ripley, ad
iourned.
The exercises throughout were of
higher order than those Of any of the for
mer reunions, and it was universally con
coded by all present to have been mos
successful in its endsavors to promote
friendly and harmonious feeling amongs
all its members, and to aid in that inter