Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-10-01


Company X, sd regiment, not having partici-
pated IN the annual reunion of their regiment,
held an informal meeting at the hall of the G.
A. r., on Tuesday evening, Sept. oath, to see
what measures should be taken in regard to a
company reunion. After choosing a president
u. L. Holt and secretary for the evening, it
was decided that the reunion should take place
at the hotel of their late commander, Captain
Beaman, at Westminster, Thursday, Sept 26th,
Lieuts. Burpee and Toombs to act as marshals
Tor the day. TWAS then decided that the meet
ing should be made a surprise to the captain
(Which proved an entire success through the aid
of Mr.. Brick, of soldiers memorial notorety)
As the teams Of the company drew up to the
hotel, the captain was in front ready to welcome
a pleasure party from Leomiuster. When he
discovered his II istake his surprise was only ex-
ceeded by his pleasure
There were many whom he had not seen since
the disarmament of his company After the
usual greetings and hand shallings the mem
berS,Wlth their ladies, were conducted to the hall
by the captain. The gentlemen then adjourned
to an ante-room, where business meeting was
held for the purpose of perfecting permanent
organization and choosing officers for the ensu-
ing year. The meeting was called to order by
Chlel hdIsllai l. l. n DuTpee5 Wnen the 1OlloW-
ing officers were unanimously chosen: PreSi-
dent, Capt S. B. Beaman; Vice President
Lieut.. Z. W. Toombs; Secretary, A. j. Trussell;
Treasurer, Lieut.. Z. I. X. Burpee; Executive
Committee, Corp. Geo H. Andrews, Corp VIM
Sawyer, Geo. A. Carter, Corp. w. W. Benson,
P. I. X. Stuart. 1t was then resolved that the
organization should be termed "Co K, Fifty.
third Regiment, Pioneers of the 18th Army
Corps"
Alter the minor details Of business had been
accomplished, the meeting adjourned subject to
the call OF their officers at any time between the
LIST and 10th of September, 1878. The gentle
men then revisited the ladies, und, under the
direction of Vice President Toombs descended
to the dining hall, taking their position al
parade rest, each behind their respective seats
After divine blessing had been invoked by
Chaplain Weeks, the order was given "Atten-
ton! Eat at whip This order was obeyed
with alacrity. The dinner was unexceptona-
Bile, forming strong contrast with Uncle Sans
hard tack and cOrDed beef. When the inner
man had become well cared for, and anecdotes
and "reminiscences had been well discussed
Capt. Beaman arose, and a perfect stiffness
regned through the hall.
He addressed his comrades in very feeling
and appropriate manner, referring principally
to southern scenes, and closing with kindly
tribute to those comrades who were left to sleep
in a southern land. Capt. Beaman was then
followed by short but pithy speeches from
Lieuts. Burpee, Toombs, Comrades Holt, Trus-
sell, B. W. kendall, SawyeI, Boyls, Keys and
Others When Lieut.. TOombs suggested to the
captain that he believed there was stalking
Brick" in the house; would he like to hear
from H2 Comrade Brick, in reply, gave evil
dence that there was a talking Brick and a
good talker, too.
After the speech making, Mrs. Abbie A.
Fitch favored the company with the following
original lines, written by her for the occasion:
We scarcely knew of coming ere we were on the
way;
When came the invitation who, who could long
deayg
And was asked to pencil some simple lines to
Please deem it no intrusion if they're not just the
thing.
But forcibly and wildly we call to mind to-day
The time when formed this company here known as
Co. X,
Who buckled on their armors at their country's
need and word;
Twas gallant band of soldiers, the noble Fifty
third
We'd heard of war, and read OF war but Recer from
our door
Our husbands sons and brothers as warriors left
before;
We mediate and read, imagine how twould seem,
But the genuine reality Is quite another theme.
Some faltering by the wayside the angels marked
And sweetiy still they slumber, tho just phere we
And then to others it was given to watch the dying
bed,
To battle anew the temples and catch the last word
said.
They tell us of unfinished lives, of work that's left
undOne
BY those who thus have passed away scarce having
life begun;
But question: yea, doubt if any leave us here
TIL the Father hath need OF such within that
other sphere.
But we have met, come here to-day, old memries to
renew,
To think of those who've passed away and those
who're living too;
Tho hurriedy we're gathered and hurriedy we've
come,
IT'S not an enemys surprise, please understand each
one
But there's tie the soldierees no other friendship
knows,
Strongly cemented firmly bound when life-bood
Freely flows,
A deep attachment he must feel for the brother by
his side,
Whether lingering through the conflict or called to
cross the tide