Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-10-25

lie hoped that by meetings like this we mn,
Keep fresh the memories Of the service for NAM
years. '''y
Capt. 5 n. Howard was also called calle1on.
speak to this toast He responded, giving bis
recollections OF some Of the tight spots" in tho
service, at Port Hudson, at Winchester, nj F,sb.
er's Hill, and at Cedar Creek, whore the regi-
mcnt went into action with 10 officers and 10
men and came out with officers aud 40 men.
2. VERMONT IN WAR.
Col Samuel r. pingroe, of the ID Vernon,
was called on.
Col Pingrce said he could add little to the con.
donscd record OF Vermont in tho war, which hnd
been given by the speaker before him. lie deem
ell IL high honor 10 be called on 10 respond 4,
toast to Vermont, and If possible all the more
80, since u had been made plain, Of late that tho
carly statistics, which set down lG slaves 10 Yer
mont, were erroneous, and that the State never
held slave To understand why Vermont was
what she was, IN the late war, we need look at
her history Her sons showed the same quail.
ties, which their fathers did under Ethan Allen
and in their carly contest with New York and
New Hampshire lie was glad 10 meet now G,r
the first time, the soldiers Of the sth regiment
lie could endorse the compliment given them by
an acquaintance OF his from another state who
after looking over the crowd, before they came in
10 supper, asked what 1t all meant. On being
/ told that IT was q reunion Of Vermont regi
ment, his reply was " They must have had a
laundering lot Of officers Being assured that
most Of those present were private soldiers, he
replied Well, they are cleaner lot than
We eau get together IN my state nc any officers
meeting Colonel f. added that he was nl
/ ways iona OIL his comrades IN the service from
'eimght ana when he remembered that the col
Or OIL the lith New Hampshire were twinel
WIN 'uo otn 'erinont IN their last glorious vic
] Of l.
adopted state "''
/ Col. q. o. Benedict, Of the Burlington r,,,
Press, was also called out, aud re.pondod ham.
| PLY and pertinently, as usual.
The POSTMASTER then read letters from Coi ~
II. Joyce and Col. W. G. ycazey of Rutland o,
pressing regret at their inability TO be pros,,
3 WINCHESTER And CEDAR CRIBS.
Col. j. b, Mead responded, narratng incident.
Of the battles named. 4 previous speaker bal
he thought, undcrstated the loss Of the regimen
at Cedar Creek But part of the regiment WA.
engaged. the remainder having been detailed for
picket service of the one hundred and gnv
engaged, he thought some one hundred and
twenty were killed, wounded or prisoners lie
thought it well to keep our service for our
country in mind by such gatherings NJ this
We never should forget what our restored Union
has cost.
Lieutenant Colonel franklin was next calledon.
the loastmaster abiding to the fact that Colonel
; had been carrying rebel lead in his body for
the last ten years.
Col. franklin begged u be excused from speak
ing, which drew from Maj. Bar.tow the remark
that Col. Franklin always showed retiring
disposition, except In bafiie"
Captain Howard told Of Colonel franklin.
speech 10 the Surgeon, who after prolonged prob
ing Of his wound, finally concluded that the hail
must have gone into the cavity of the chest. BE-
You'd his reach. To which franklin replied
" ell, Doctor, II you are satisfied that you can't
lind that bullet, hope you will stop punching"
Captain Mcfarland was next called I'D and re-
lated some "reminiscences Of Winchester and Cedar
Greek, describing the co0lnoss and courage of
Colonel Thomas on several occasions His rec1l-
lection Of the regiments loss nc Cedar Greek was
II killed outright, G5 wounded and % taken pri4-
oners, out Of li9 engaged.
4. COLONEL srwnES THOMAS.
This toast was responded to By the whole r.s-
ment and guests present, rising and giving three
as rousing cheers for Colonel Thomas, as We ever
heard from the same number OF thr0ats
s. orr FLAG
Col Stephen NJ Pingree, Of the fth W.. re-
sponded with his customary spirit lie said our
flag borne through four wars and floating from
the Lakes 70 the Gulf in spite Of the greatest
rebellion the world ever saw, speaks for itself
It, stripes tell OF stains Of deeper crimson than h.
81 A-ui AiN1 NlutI ludh us Itlls OF n renuMu
winter than its white. Our fathers handed il
down IN Us, after a struggle tar seyerer for the
numbers OF the young nation, tfhcn but = 700 600
strong) than our war was for US. One ninth of
our population went into the service Of the c1un.
Try and fought for our flag in the last war. And
we have yet duties TO it. II there is any portion
OF the North, OF which the S1utherners sneak
well, It Is OF the veterans who fought them. bot
there IS as yet no excess Of friendship shown IL
! Is PLAIN that We have got 10 keep a mighty c1.e
grip on the things we've got On us rests the
duty OF Ike ping things straight till this genera
tion has passed away. Col =. alluded eloguent-
~ 10 the fact that Of the thirty odd c1l0rs en-
trusted 10 the guardianship OF the soldiers OF Yer
mont, not one was ever handled by the contami-
mating touch Of a rebel. lie spoke with much
yigor and eoquence, and was repeatedly and
8 heartily applauded.
e Col. franklin, then, by request, sung " the
sword Of Bunker Hill, with excellent effect.
@. THE FALLEN HEROES or ruH sru.
In response to this sentiment an rose and stood
while the hand played drge
T. THE PRESS.
Briefly responded to by Adjt j. N. Poland of
the Waioiman and Lieut. q g. scLeck, OF Brat.
tleboro.
The reunion closed by singing Aud Lang
n Syne. The ST. Johnsbury Cornet Band added
largely to the interest OF tie occasion. by
4 furnishing fine music. With many expressions
of mutual good feeling and parting shaking Of
hands, the company broke up, to meot again in
1873.