The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-08-19
Reunion Of the 18th Main, Regiment,

Reunion Of the nth Maine Regiment,
, finer midsummer morning than yesterda
never dawned upon this planet. The air W;
clear and cool, the waters of the harbor an
pay were smooth as lake of glass, and {
ABOUT O'Clock the music of "the spirit-sti
ring drum and ear piercing fife," togethe
WIN the heavy bass of the big drum-al"aS
exciting music, full of memories OF our hes
lutionary days-might have been hearo On "a
change street. Then there was hurlyins =
and fro," marketmen rushed tnrousn '''
street, and the merchants and their e'erA' "p
| peared at their doors on Fore and Commercla
| streets For has not the poet laureate o
Enoland epioined his nation to honor tn
Iobt brioade" which was decimated SO fear
fnllv in the Crimea, and will our American
people ever forget the brave men whose rank
we're also greatly decimated in our late war
No. We will ever honor our light brigades
and one of the best regiments that composed
them was our 18th Maine.
Arrived at the wharf, the party embarked OF
board of Capt divers good steamer Express
and after delightful sail landed at Little Dia
mond Island, most delightful place, where
the white tents of several camping partie.
pleasantly interspersed the scene. An inter
change of civllities between the military and
civil encampments took place; games of Gro
quet, base and foot ball, ETC., followed. AT II
O'Clock several additions to the party arrived
aud prominent officer was received at the
shore by detail of soldiers under arms, who
marched the culprit to the headquarters to the
| tune of "The Rogues March" A substantial
breakfast was then served and partaken OF
| with zest by all, and fine meal it was. After
this more ball games followed, and a drum
head court martial was organized before
which were tried several offenders, including a
leading officer who is great with the mattoeks
| if not the hoe. Major w. H. Green presided,
and high municipal officer ably defended one
of the prisoners, but without success. The
culprits we're all convicted and executed with
out the benefit of the clergy. General target
practice was INDUCED in, at which Private
Charles HI. Greeley, of this ty,made the best
threy average shots u Sc in.), and Gen. Mat
tocks the second best e 1-2); and the prizes of
two solid gold rings from McDufee's were
awarded to each. Capt. G. y. abbott, of Bes
worth Post G. A. R., actually fired the best
shots (6 5-12), but he declined to receive the
prize, being guest on the occasion.
meeting was then held on the green sward
under the oaks, when Adj. George A. Parker
now Postmaster of Lewiston, read history OF
the regiment, in which the historian gave On
interesting and witty account OF the status of
each member of the Association, which was
received with general satisfaction. Appropri-
ate notice was taken of the death during the
past year Of Privates Parlin Crawford, of Gar
diner, and Edmund d. Field, of this city, and
general sympathy expressed for their loss We
are unable to give synopsis OF the history,
principally because it was OF strictly person
al character, but we would mention that thir-
teen faithful Christian men at least are among
the membership Lieut.. Whittier, of WASH
ington, wrote on that the graves of the fallen
brave of the gallant 18th at Arlington Gene
terry were duly decorated on the day appointed
and the friends in Washington remembered
those who had died for their country. No
grave was forgotten in the decoration services.
Arrangements were made to ascertain the cir
cumstances Of each member living before the
next anniversary The election of officers was
proceeded with, when Col T. A. Roberts was
elected President of the Association by accla-
nation. The following officers were also elect
ed: -s..l.- 80 d..
Vice Presidents--Col. G. P. Mattocks, Sergt
G. S. Tucker
Secretary-Adjt. C. w. Roberts.
Treasnrer-Capt Joseph A. Perry.
Directors Lieut.. p s. Booihby, Lieut.. JO- |
siah hemck, Sergt. John YeatOn, Jr, Sergt /
A. X. Abbott, Daniel Gookius
Historian-J. O. Rice.
Toast MASTER. 4. s. PRAY. @@f4
Mayor Kingsbury and Capt. j. O. Winship |
of the 9Th Name Regiment offered some happy
suitable to the occasion, ~ :
At o'clock the drums announced the din
ner hour, aud the clam-bake was uncovered. |
Mr. Sumner w. Skillings, of the P. l.. l., had
done his usual duty, and this peculiar seashore
repast was enjoyed with avidity. After all
were satisfied grand dress parade and regi-
mental review and drill was extemporised and
10 failure of parade was it either Col
Roberts put the men through Upton's tactics
yell, and the ladies and visitors upon this is
and enjoyed the display hugely. Mr.. John L.
haw here appeared upon the scene and fur
ished few of his excellent songs and other
orms of music for the pleasure Of abe Associa-
ion.
At o'clock the party embarked for the city, |
veil satisfied with the days festivities, al |
hough shade of sadness, occasioned by the
bsence of SO many well remembered faces,
rowded upon the memory. Altogether it was
he largest and most successful celebration yet |
leld of this Association anniversary.