Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-01-12
THE RUTLAND HERALD.
Seventh Annual Reunion of Yer.
mont Officers.

bt sbNeutu ANNUAL ESuhi"A - ",'~ W
eran officers of Vermont was held in tn
place yesterday, and large number
the members of the organization were
attendance Tho most complete arrange
ments had been made for the occasion
and these were carried out with entir
success, nothing occurring to mar the fe'
tivities of the glad reunion of these ga
LIANT veterans, whose friendship had bee
in many instances cemented amidst tn
b rdships and dangers of the battlefield
All the exercises Of the occasion wer
marked by the most cordial harmony an
good will, and it seemed a delight to thos
participating TO revive the memories o
the scenes through which they had pass
cd, and 10 strengthen this bonds which
hold them ia fraternal relations.
The meetings of the society, with thu
exception of the forenoon session, wer'
held at the Opera House, which had beer
handsomely decorated for the occasion by
display of the battle flags of the differ
snt Vermont regiments engaged in thu
,ate war.
THE BATTLE FLAGS.
No more appropriate decorations fol
the place of assemblage of these veteran
officers of Vermont regiments could have
been devised than the tattered and smoke.
stained colors they bore with such heroic
bravery through sll the bloody war of the
rebellion. Over the stage and from the
front of the balconies of the Opera House.
these mute but eloquent witnesses of the
noble devotion and intrepid valor of the
Green Mountain soldiers were arranged,
sheig rent and tettered folds testifying
20 the terrible baptism of fire through
which they had passed.
The regiments represented by these
coIors are the First, Second, Third,
Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth,
Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thir.
teenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth
and Seventeenth Infantry, the Second
Cavalry, and the First and Second Vt.
Battery.
The post Of HONOR over the stage,
had been assigned to the colors of the
Seventh Infantry, which had been re.
luced by the ordeal through which they
had passed to mere blackened shred.
To the right of the stage were suspend
ed the Gags of the Second Infantry, and
to the left those of the Third Infantry
regiments. Each of these were literally
riddled by the leaden hail through which
they had been carried by the gallant
acknowledgements.
Grouped around the front of the bal
oony, and pendent from the ceiling, the
asgs of the other regiments represented
were arranged, the whole forming
scene at once grand and inspiring and yet
fnll of sad and tender reflections. No
patriot eye can look upon these battle
stained mementoes of many an ensan-
guined field, where Patriotism met and
vanquished Treason, without feeling of
admiration and pride. They are the pre-
cious legacy of those who went forth,
fred with lofty patriotism, to battle for
their country and il need be to lay their
lives upon her altar. They are the fitting
of the loyal hearts and |
brave hands that bore them proudly on
many field of carnage, in that struggle
which was marked by deeds of noble de.
votion and soldierly daring which will
- >, Ito ,usk 1,,a
brighter than that which fingers around
the days of Spartan chivalry.
But with the feeling of pride aud ex-
nltatiou is blended the sad thought of
those who went forth never to return.
Alas how many of those brave, true
hearts that beat high with courage and
nope as they followed, these starry ban
lers, are now hushed by the stiffness of
ieath. Many gallant bearer of these
1attle- stained ensigns went down to rise
40 more while pressing forward in the
leadly conflict. But there was never
those to take the places of their
ALLEN comrades and keep the oolors float
ng. The soldiers who marshalled under
.hese standards were such as those
who hold the thought OF death in scorn,
And win their way with faichion's force,
Or pave the way with many corse,
Ger which the following brave may rise,
Eheir stepping stone-the last that dies
These proud mementoes cannot be too
highly priced, or too carefully. treasured
BY the State, not only as a record
If the past but as an inspiration
'or the future. The fire of patriotism
,annot entirely die ont while those testi-
nonials of the bravery and devotion of
,ur patriot soldiers are preserved. They
will be the talisman that shall shield
rom future oowardice or disloyalty.
The opportunity of viewing these battle
1sgs was most gratifying one to tbose
who thronged the Opera House, and they
in no small degree to the
success of the occasion. On their re-
noval from this place they will be
carefully preserved inglass cases at the
ate capitol.
ANNUAL MEETING -FoRENooN SESSION
The Society convened for business
Meeting at the Bardwell House at 10l
io'ock, a. m. Gen. William Wells, Pres.
lent, in the chair.
On motion of J. Monroe Poland, COM
nittee of one from each regiment was ap.
,ointed for the nomination of officers as
ollows: Il
LIST Regiment-W. Y. W. Ripley.
I'd Regiment-A. 8. Tracy.
Sd Regiments. E. Pingree. |,
4th Regiments. M. Pingree. II
5th Regiments. E. Burnham.
9th Regiment-C. J. s. Randall. l.
9TH Regiment-E. A. Morse.
9Th Regiment-W. W. Lynde. {
9th Regiment-L. Ell. Bisbee. ,
10th Regiment-A. B. Valentine.
18th Regiment-W. V. Meeker.
18th Regiment-L. G.. Kingsley.
18th Regiment-E. l.. Hubbard. Il,
l4th Regiment-W. @. Dunton.