Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-05-13

Of applause. Just as Gen. Meade was calling
the assembly TO order, Gen. Sheridan, accompa-
MED by Gen. Pleasanton, came down the right
aisle of the parquet, and when discovered, was
greeted with perfect ovation OF cheers and ap-
plause, which was renewed when they got upon
the stage. Gen. Meade then continued his re-
marks as follows:
As president of our society, it becomes my
duty to call you TO order, and to welcome you
to our annual reunion The first thing which
| shall do, which we ought to do, which it is
our duty, which is in the heart of every man to
have done, is to return our thanks to the great
being, who, in his infinite mercy, has allowed
us to be here, and to have the pleasure of this
meeting, and who has blessed us and spared us
through all the dangers of the war. Rev. Mr..
Brooks then offered short prayer, which was
followed bv "Aud Lang Syne" by Gilmore's
band, which acted as orchestra Under the lead
ership of Mr.. Gilmore, and which performed
some of their finest selections. General Meade
then introduced the orator of the day, Governor
Fairchild, major general of volunteers. Gov
ernor Fairchild was received with loud applause
and cheering, and proceeded to read his address.
1t was eloquently delivered, and at times called
out great applause and cheers.
The following poem written for the occasion
by Bret Harte was read by Mr.. James I. Fields
THE OLD MAJOR EXPLAINS.
"Wel, you see the fact is, Colonel, don't know as
! can come,
For the farm is not half planted and there's the
work to do at home,
And my leg is getting troublesome; it laid me up
last fall,
And the Doctors-they have cut and hacked-aud
never found the ball.
And then, for an old man like me- it's not exactly
right,
This kind O. playing soldier with no enemy in sight
THE Union-that was well enough, way up to '66,
But this RE UniOn'-may be now it's mixed with
politics?
Nor Well, you understand it best, butthen you see
my lad, "
I'm Deacon now, and some might thlnktnat the eA
ample's bad
And week from next is Conference ....... You said
the 18th of Mayf
Why, that's the day we broke their line at Spots
ylvan-i-a!
Hot work-eh, Colonel wasn't itH Ye mind thai
narrow front;
They called it the Death Anglep Well, well, my
lad, we won't
Fight that old battle now; only meant to say
1 really can't engage to come upon the 18th of May
How's thompson What-wiIl he be thereH Well
now, l want to know!
The first man in the rebel works they called hin
Swearing Joe!
A wild young fellow, sir; fear the rascal was-bu
then
Well-short of Heaven-there want place HI
dursn't lead his men.
And Dick, you say, is coming, too And Billy'-Ah
it's true
We buried him at Gettysburg-I mind the spot; dc
A little field below the hill-it must be green thi
May
Perhaps that's why the fields about bring him t.
me to-day.
Well, well, excuse me, Colonel, but.there are SOM
things that drop
The tail-board out ones feelings and the only way
So they want to see the old man, ali the rascals,
| Well-Pve business down in Boston, about the 12t
of May"
After Bret Harte's poem had been read an
the formal proceedings closed, several distin
| guished officers responded to enthusiastic call
and made brief speeches. Gen. Sheridan said
"Gentlemen:-I will not detain you long.
| can only say have always felt proud of beinI
| or having been member of the army of tn
Potomac; but / think l feel prouder since m,
return home than at any period heretofore
| During my absence had the privilege of seein.
| nearly every army in Europe, some of thos
armies on the field and some in peace; and
although it was not my privilege to be mem
| Der of the army OF the Potomac at that perlot
| of its existence which has been related here to
day by our distinguished orator, still it was IN,
| great delight and pleasure to be member of
during the last year of the war, and l can say
while did not know it at the period related
| yet that did know it very well towards the last
| | can only say, in conclusion, that of all TIL
armies l have seen, have seen none who's
standard of excellence was higher than wa'
| that of the army of the Potomac during thu
last year of the war;" cloud cheers.)
Generals Hooker, Logan, Burnside, Slocum
| Pleasanton, Ingalls,, Hunt, Webb, Robinson
| Humphreys, Fitzpatrick and Mcdowell mad
to burst of applause which greeted his appear
ance, but declined to speak. AT the bushes
meeting, which followed, the initiation fee o
membership was fixed at two dollars, with tn
| same amount as yearly tax.
The society elected General Hooker president
| In accepting his new position, General HoOke
thanked the officers for the honor conferred
| saying he should feel it his duty to act for tn
| the interest of every soldier who bore arms il
| the war. Above all, he expressed the desire tina
the society should keep out of politics, whateve
| other associations might decide to do. The SO
| cety voted to hold the next annual meeting il
| Cleveland, Ohio, the first Tuesday in May.
The banquet at the Revere house was ATTENDED
| by about $50 members of the society and tn
committee were severely taxed in their arrange
ments for seating the guests, the provision fo
the press in that regard being conSpicuOusly in
adequate. Nearly all the generals attending tht
army anniversaries were present, and as they
appeared in the hall were severally greeted will
applause. General Meade presided. Coilecto
Russell responded to the toast to "the president.
"The army" found a representative in Genera
Mcdowell. The next toast was:
Massachusetts"
Lieut.. Gov. Tucker was received with cheer,
as a comrade. He said the state sent her bes
men and brayest to fight her battles, and fel
honored in her selection as the gathering-plact
for social purposes, now that theEpeace of thu
country was for the present settled. He wei
coined the soldiers from the Union states and
paid heartfelt tribute to the late Goveno
Andrew:
1.-THE Navy"
Commodore Stedman responded to the toas
in fraternal and pleasing speech. Colone
Church, of the Army and Navy Journal, at
tempted to read a letter from Admiral Porter
fusion was so great when it was announced thai
he was obliged to deslst.
"The Volunteers of the Army and Navy"
Gen. Woodford, of New York, spoke with es-
pecia reference to the eleventh corps, which
compensated for its first failure at Chancellors
vile by its brilliant achievements on the frs
and second days at Gettysburg. He compli
mented the people on their enthusiasm and non
party spirit at the beginning of the war, and
paid touching tribute to the gallant Genera
Kearney as well as to Generals Hooker, Logan
and Sickles, and Governors Curtin, Morton and
Andrew.
"Our Dead Heroes"
Gen. DeYens expressed diffldence in paying 0
just tribute to their manly sense of duty and
splendid courage, The utterance of his senti-
ments, he said, was hindered by thoughts OF
friends who had fallen in the strife, not only
among the chieftains, but in the ranks. Their
proudest eptaph would be, "The Union soldier,
who died for the republic"
Boston, true to her Union instincts, welcomes all
who have met within her limits. Patriotic devo-
ton TO the Union will continue to be her motto.
Mayor CASTOR responded.
The Day we Celebrate; the Anniversary of the
Breaking Of the Rebel Line at Spottsylvania.
Answered by Gen. Webb
The Rank and File.
Gen. Gordon spoke Of the rank and file, who
joyously bore their grievous burdens through
the war, and returned to the duties of civil life
without complaining of their disasters, but re-
jocing at their final victory.
The health Of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie was drank, and General Logan replied. The
festivities were prolonged until midnight.
The sixth army corps, at the annual meeting,
to-day, elected the following officers; President
Major General II. b. Wright; Vice Presidents
General John Newton, third division; General
Thomas H. Neil, second diyisionI Major Gem
pra1 Shalpr first division. CnrrpenOndinp Qaoro