Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-11-13

before US without preparatory discipline would re.
suit in failure. The influence Of the power and dis.
cpine which the first disaster developed soon made
itself felt The early and il conceived prepara.
tions tor the conflict vanished In q single spasm,
and the government turned to the contemplation
OF grnycr responsibilities, and 10 system Of
preparation commensurate in some degree TO the
work before them.
Step by step the speaker traced the progress
Of events and the growth Of that grand old
army which has now become historic, according
to its successive commanders the high positions
to which their labor and their valor entitled them
We cannot in a brief notice follow this history.
interesting as 1t Is even at this early day, fimil-
arity dctracting nothing from its interest as pre.
sented IN the glowing language OF the orator IL
was well-drawn sketch such ns will always In.
terest not only those who were sharers in the dis
cipline OF the camp aud the vicsstudes Of the
battlefield, but all who may come after to read
the history of those times.
In conclusion. and we regret that we are com
PEELED 10 come 10 this soon. the speaker well
said, " 10 was that ruling spirit, that intelligent
inith IN the ultimate yindication Of the govern.
ment for which they fought, that inspired them
20 the performance Of those deeds Of soliiorly
grandeur which have allotted to them their pecn.
liar place, high on the roll Of the grca, hl.toiic
armies Of the world"
At the conclusion Of the Address Lieut. G. @
Benedict introduced the following resolutions
| Resolred That the Re Union Society Of Yer.
| mont officers has learned with sorrow Of the
sudden death Of Major General George Gordon
/ Meade, the 10 ler brave and able commander of
the Army OF che Potomac, who, having earned
the confidence Of the Army on many % previous
"eiHiought field, accepted its'chief command
without previous notice, on the eve Of the great
ct battle OF the war, and led It at Gettysbureh
70 glorious victory, largely due TO his irmncss.
constancy, and careful generaship. His life was
an example Of devotion TO s0ldierlv duty his
lame is part Of bis country's inheritance and
his memory will ever be held in honor by every
soldier who served under him, as well as by
grateful people
Re'olrcd, That we tender our respectful sym
pathy 10 the family of General Meade IN their
sudden loss, and that the Secretary be directed to
transmit to them copy Of these resolutions.
Col W. G. Veazey paid an eloquent tribute
to the memory Of Gen Meade, fttingly charac.
terizng him as ono Of the most intelligent, con.
seientous and faithful officers in the service.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted.
On motion Of Col Albert Clarke. the thanks
Of the Society were rendered to Col Samuel F.
Pingree, for his able and interesting address this
evening, and to Col w. g. Yeazcy, for his elo-
quent remarks on the decease Of Gen Meade
and they were requested to furnish copies for
publication
The procession was then reformed and marched
to the Pavilion, where, at halfpast nine, the s.,
cety sat down 10 an excellent supper.
After due attention had been given t, the
supper, the toast master, Col Albert Clarke, read
the first regular sentiment of the evening
The President Of The UHued States Respond
ed to by three rousng eheers for the Office. and
for the man that nor fills IT,
The next sentiment was " Vermont"
Green as her hills
BE the memories we ken,
Pure a. her rls
ne her law. aud public men.
Responded to by Captain E. j. ormsbce, Of
Brandon
The next sentiment, - Vamonf's Delegation IN
Coagre",-they are our pckets on the Poto-
mac, not yet to he reicycd-a wall Of our de-
fence, never, we trust to be reduced, was appro-
priately responded to by Hon. Luke P Poland
and Hon. C. W. Willard
The fourth toast, The Legislature Of Yer
mont Nay alrags tcsp ts 5alqnce, was hap
PLY responded to by Col Franklin Fairbanks, Of
St. Johnsbury, and Col. W. G veazey, Of Rut-
land
5.-The STATE Militia When properly organ-
lied it is the germ Of our defence in time Of war.
Briefly responded to by Col. T. s. Peck, of Bur
lngton
0-1Hs F-ss,,iircs If Te-.aa,, J,,riunfte IVar.
called out Lieut.. Governor Underwood, who wit
tily and pleasantly responded. Gov. Stewart was
also called up, and spoke as he alwaysdoes, forci
bly, and pertnenty
7.-Tie Artillery Of Vermont during he ,ear.
Responded to by Lieut.. j. 5. Dorman, and Lieut..
E. j. McWain.
s.-The Carai,y ef Vermont during The rar
They seorned alike the sting OF bullet and Of boo,
They were too soon for Early aud gave ht- 10 tz Hugh
Lee.
Responded to By Mai Josiah Grout, Jr., and |
Chaplain Beaudry, of the jth New York Cavalry. |
9.-7be Infantry Of Vermont during the icar.
Responded to by Gen W W Henry. Major |
Richard Smith, of Tunbridge, gave most hu-
morous account OF his military career and expe-
riences. This one speech Of Maj Smith was, as
the showmen say, " well worth the entire price
Of admission, and those who missed 1t missed
one of the rarest treats we have ever experienced
at our reunions.
l0-The Rank and File, was appropriately
and eloquently responded to by Serg't Mason b.
Carpenter of 81. Albnns, and by Col 5. NJ
Pngree, of Hartford.
Capt. L. L. Coburn, Of Chicago, being present,
was called out and responded briefly and ap-
proprately.
ll-Tae Orator Of he Eremag.
l2.-The Regular Army Briefly responded to
by Lieut. l.. A. Abbott, L. 5. A.
l3.--The Retiring President. brought out Gen.
Stephen Thomas, who made most feeling and
telling speech.
The meeting, at one O'Clock, in the morning
broke up By singing " Aud Lang Syne."
The number present at the reunion this year
was about one hundred, including the very few
invited guests. The occasion was thoroughly
enjoyed, and we think that those present left
with their determination strengthened to be
present at each and every subsequent reunion Of
the Society. To those who were present we ex-
tend our congratulations those absent have our