New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-30
REUNION OF THE SEVENTEENTH CONNECTICUT
VOLUNTEERS

DANBURY, Conn, Aug 29.-The most enthusi-
asc greeting awaited the gallant veterans of the 18th to-
day. They came from Bethel and EOrwalR and
Reading, and Middebury, and Naugatuck, and Bridge
port and Stamford and Greenwich, and ever so many
little hamets scattered here and there through
out Fairfield County. They came by rail and in wagons
horseback and afoot and with them their wives and
sweethears and troops of friends also tOenJoy the
hearty hospitality Of the Danbury folks, whose land had
been for many days we'll nigh upset by the and
rummage therein When the early train from HorwaR ar
rived about Of the veterans fell in line at the depot
amid the umutuous outpourng Of usy cheers from the
aggregated population OF Danbury then and there as
sembed and TO the music OF the band and escorted by
Co. &C" Of the sth Regiment National Juard,
and the fire companies, they marched to
the Danbury Academy OF Music better known as Con-
cert Hall Here the Association was called to order by
Lieut. Col Henry Allen the President and. after prayer
by the Rev Mr. Hubbard the election of officers was
held. Major VIM. L. Hubbe WAS chosen President,
Capts. Chas, A Hobbe and Enos Kellogg VcePresi-
dents; Chas. L. LOOmis Recording Secretary Adj Geo
C. Peck. Corresponding Secretary; Lieut. Albert W Peck
Treasurer. and Leut-Co Allen and Capt Timothy Don
ovan were appointed Executive Committee for the
transaction of the business Of the Association for the
next year Then members affixed each his individual
sign manual to the constitution, paying dollar green
back for the privilege and then the meeting adjourned
to Stamford the 25th day OF August 1870
Meanwhile great preparations for grand procession
DaQ Deen maze INC DlOdu hlItot was
crowded with vehicles; and persprng Marshas galoped
up and down long hue Of people disposed dichoto'
mOusly we're and wagons light and heavy, wheeled
into open spaces with lively rattle; and old men and old
women, and maldens and matrons, and innumerabe
boys Of all ages throDged the passage-ways made the
miraculous escapes from sudden death at the heels
and wheels OF horses and carriages The Fire Depart
ment had out all their apparatus, and made glorious
display with their red shirts and white belts their flower
decked engines and trucks and their hook and ladder
gtTan af
the procession successfully formed aud at the word
marched the main street. passing hundreds OF cheer
people the sidewalks IL the WINDOWS, ana on the
hOuseOps. Flags waved everywhere. Even the horses
carried them aud seemed feel the benefit thereof for
a more orderly cavalcade never saw. Down by the
bridge wherefrOm could the evidences OF the
mischief done by the late flood then around by the Gem
etery where the remains of Gen Wooster lie under tall
brown stone monument then back 10 the main street
again passing the fountain now dried up and chokod
with dust. Down the end OF the strcetths
Broadway OF Ddubuiy, you must know IL iull mile IN
G bs S a 1SnaS when G KS pHey country was
the scene bloody strife between the patriots and the
Tories Then by file left up the street again to mon
tent, which long tables had been spread by the
good housewives OF the town with lIovehueI LOT
regiment OF hungry men, al as ravenons ss Gargahtua
who swallowed the pilgrims. IL was long march, ana
gaynes and our gilt we're all besnirched win palniul
trampng through the dusty rOAusahG we were
aud ike Speed, when he wisely observed that lac was
one that hOurished his vctua and would ain have
To be sure we marched 10 good music-fOr band
is essential TO comfort on long tramp as suphuIc
acid Is to the ignition Of the platinum in hydropneu'
fare OF and other renpo when two bands
time and within only stones throw OF each other the
combination of sounds forms unpleasant too
rallOO-ral which does not IN the Temoiest de,,
gree cOnduce the hearers happiness This occurred
once In a while the march through the town and the
proYocaOn added to that caused by the clouds OF dust
which stfed ana blinded us was not easy 10 bear HOW
ever dinner made up for all About 1900 people sat
down-stood up; meanto such repast as only warm,
hearted cunning handed ready witted ana experienced
hOusckeepers prOvide-suCh one as soldiers are
wont to cal with refreshing defiance OF symmetrical
principles, square meal" There was no bi OF fare
and there show of silver Knives aud forks there
were none but OF meats and Of the fruits OF the EARTH the
supply was unlimited. When the empty plates were
sent away, like the slippers IN the Eastern story, they
were sure return with the most uunchinR pertlnacy,
laden with fresh pyramids OF tOothsome prOyender Tur
KEYS there were poultry which were soon con
not city market fowl with tough uterartcuar carages
and lateral gaments like unto ca0utchouc, but country
bred fellows matured In the zap OF plenty anu ulsu ~
tenderness from their earliest infancy, FISH, nesh FOWL
and fruit fled at fearsOme rate, but there was always
more and when the grown people had finished ana the
boys admitted TO the tent they Iease1 Ihnousl{
appettes the guests there were no fudded people 10
be seen and venture to say that from BecrsheDa 10
Danbury there been moro orderly gain
euDg more hearty and liberal welcoming OF friends
and Strangers than have made TINS day worthy Oh long
n was nearly o'clock when the homeward bound be-
gan 10 dsperse and the last daytraiu Tor NorWalk
was about making ready to start the crowd set IN toward
the depot where there more music ana more cheer
ing till the whistle sounded ana the pe rang, anu INC
visitors whirling on their way
The nth the regiment TO which Elias Howe the sew
ing machine inventor, belonged. He was "a private
In Company D. formed at Bridgeport and Was noted for
Iberality and his great affection for his comrades
In arms II related Of him that while the regiment
was on the march from Chanty 10 FREDERICKSBURG, IN
1863 10 support Burnside Howe drew his check Tor the
four months pay due the men, and had the satisfaction
of seeing the money handed 10 them before the reg
/ lnent again ordered into action.