The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-10-24
The Portland Light Infantry in Provi-
dence-Sketch of Day.

Inere Is current legend here dpr0pOS to the
subject of this letter, which do not vouch for
but tell the story as twas told to me to-day
During the famous Dorr rebellion the Proyl-
dence Light Infantry, which is the nucleus of
the First Light Infantry regiment, became OBJ
noxious to the Democrats of Rhode Island.
When the completion of Bunker Hill Monu-
ment was celebrated in 1843, the Providence
Light Infantry composed part of the military
demonstration. Their place was assigned and
published; and Immediately it was threatened
that they would become the object for popular
insult for their record in the rebellion. The
Committee of Arrangements consequently
changed the order and gave the place assigned
to the Providence company to the Portland
Light Infantry. The identity of the initials
upon their caps and knapsacks caused an in
nocent down-east company to receive the boots
and jeers and perhaps brckbat or two, in
tended for another. There was occasion for
GOODNESS between the two companies; if any
ever existed, the present generation of soldiers
ought to have forgotten it. There was an ap-
proach toward reconciliation by the Providence
boys two years ago. and to-day there has been
q cordial clasping of hands ''across the bloody
chasm."
The Infantry added to their guests in Boston
this morning, Capt Alfred Wedgewood of the
Royal Artillery, and Capt. p. S. Boothby of the
LIST Massachusetts, regiment, and left for Provi-
dence at 1910. The day was delightful, and
the ride, under the hazy atmosphere of an In
dian summer day, with the foliage in its bright
est hues is long to be remembered At Mans
field the Infantry was met by Quartermaster
ShQldnn nd Dow .fau IT.,
Providence Arriving here they were met at
the station by the First Light Infantry Battal-
ion of five companies, commanded by Col. C. R.
Dennis, numbering about $50 men. At their
head was the famous American Brass Band.
Mr.. Reeves leader, 26 pieces. A sh ,rt march
brought the battalion to the City Building.
where Mayor Doyle gave the visitors a hearty
welcome TO the city. CIV
He said it gave him great pleasure to have
the opportunity of extending to them wei
come: Their reputation was a noble one, and
they had earned it by good deeds. The visit of
military companies were calculated to strength.
en- the ties of friendship, to make citizens of
different sections better acquainted with each
other, to make us more deeply attached to our
common country, united under one flag. He
assured the Portland visitors that thew were in
the hands of gentlemen who would leave moth
ing undone to make them have pleasant time
during their visit here. Although our territory
was small our hearts were large enough to take
come to see us.
Col. Mattocks responded. He referred to the
pleasure the people of Portland felt in enter |
tanning the Providence Light Infantry two
years ago, but at that time he did not auticipate
that their visit would be returned SO soon He |
referred pleasantly to the fact that altbouob |
the Providence Light Infantry was yenerabia |
corps, the Portland Infantry was old enough to
be its father. 1t was pleasant to meet again
ard cultivate the pleasant ties which had a.
ready been formed.
Mayor Kingsbury was introduced and thank
ed Mayor Doyle for his cordial welcome to the
city. We come, he said, from State larger in
circum ference than yours, but not so comnact
Though your State is small, it owns broad
Illuminated page in history; and in the great
rebellion no State, large or small, did more
with its money and men. 1t was foremost in
war and is foremost in the arts of peace. We
come to learn of your example; to set foot on
your soil. and look at your beautiful CITY, set by
the sea as Portland is further east We come
also to renew the personal acquaintance formed
when we were all chanting the song of national
this welcome
Arms were stacked in the open SQUARE close
by, and the battalion repaired to Union Hall.
where mine host Humphrey of the CITY Hotel
had prepared an elegant collation. 1t was a
triumph of culinary art, indeed, the like of
which was never before seen in this city, if in
New England, on public occasion ANY at
empt to describe it in detail would be futile
md it is doubtful if any general idea of its
'eauties and excellence could be given in words
n the centre was an immense epergne of flow &
rs, surmounted with fruit, with pyramid of
rapes, &c., at its base, and fine trenches of
rapes pending from each arm that supported
he flowers At each end was a salmon mount-
on "sockle," or high dish, both "sockle''
nd salmon fancifully decorated with green.
sllies, vegetables, &c, and the salmon sur
,ounted with "skewers" of jelley and metal
At each right hand corner stood a
sockle' of game surmounted by four quails !
nd partridge in plumage, the plumage only I
aiting to be removed by skillful hands to dis c
lay the cooked bird underneath. Near the d
,ntre was game patte, surrounded by four II
geons in plumage, after the style of the quails
sscribed above. Then there were boned tur- !
ey, in different shapes, pyrimidal fillet of
'bbts, three story pattle of liver, fillets of
Def, beef tongues, and all sorts of meats, in all
'rts OF shapes and all in jelly, with vegetables,
dy and metallic ornaments. The desert ption
Ugh be continued at any length.
Col Dennis delegated Chaplain S. H. Webb. =
ho said that the corps of which he was the {
preventative, desired to show their guests
at welcome which true soldiers gave We
elcome you, he said in remembrance of the
ne when we strove together. We are proud
Rhode Island and of the Pine Tree State
e wish to reciprocate past favors but TO
owe that our welcome is such as the true SOL
er always extends to his comrades. 1t is no
binary bond which binds US together, but the
n haue hr xuIa in,