Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-02-21
SOLDIERS REUNION.


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swoRD--BANQUET-sP 40.
A large number Of former members OF the list
Regiment Of Delaware Volunteers. met in this
city, yesterday, on the occasion Of their hrst an
nual reunion.
In the afternoon, meeting was held at half
past two o'clock, in the U. s. Court Room. There
were present about hundred and twenty-five
former members Of the Regiment, many of
whom are residing in different parts of this State,
and in other States. Among those present were
Capt. Bryan, Of Philadephia, Capt. Saville, of
Washington, Lieut.. Smith, of Dover Asset
Surgeon Marshall, OF Dover Capt. England of
Philadelphia; Sergt. Mcbride, Of Camden, N.
j.; A. ID. Swiggett, OF Washington j. p. Obier,
of Seaford, Deli William Wilson, of Stanton !
and others.
Capt Alfred Gawthrop, Chairman Of the tenn
porary Committee of Arrangements, called the
meeting TO order, and Capt. j. Parke Postles
acted as Secretary. The minutes Of meetings
previously held, leading to this Reunion we're
read, and ON motion Of Lieut.. John M. Dunn,
we're made part of the proceedings OF the Or
sanzation.
The various Committees, which had been charg-
ed with the preliminary arrangements, made
their reports.
The Committee on Constitution and Bylaws
made a report, which WAS adopted with some
amendments, and the following permanent Off
GERS were then elected
President, Col. j. W. Andrews; LIST Vice Pres
ident, Capt. Alfred Glwthrop End Vice Pre5i-
dent, Capt. Jas. M Bryan Recording Secreta-
ry, Capt j. Parke Postles Asst. Secretary, Gid
con Caleb Corresponding Secretary Capt. e.
T. Grubb Treasurer, Capt. Ihomas B. Hizar.
An interesting incident than took place. Capt.
AS. Nones presented to the keeping OF the regi-
ment, the sword worn by General Thomas A.
Smyth, when he fell, near High Bridge, Va
just before the final surrender OF Appomattox
Capt. Nones made the presentation in neat and
appropriate address, and it was received by
Capt. W. p. Saville, on behalf of the regiment,
who pledged for the regiment the carefui- keep
ing OF the patriotic relic
General Woodall was then eluested to bring
in the regimental colors. The flags had hereto-
fore been in charge of the Grai Army OF the
Republic, and since the dissolution OF that organ
ization, have been in the hands of General
Woodall. As he made his appearance witt them,
inside the room they were greeted with hearty
and long-contnned cheering The General then
handed them over to the r giment, once more,
with short but eloquent slIeech, and on motto N
of Captain Saville, the Executive Oommitte was
dire oted to place them, wi Ii the sword OF Ger.
Smyth. in the rooms OF the Delaware Historical
Society, in case furnished for the purpose, on
condition that the Regiment shall have the priv
ilege of removing them, temporartly,at at each au-
nual reunion.
1t was resolved thai the next Re- Union be held
in this city on September the nth, of the pre-
sent year the anniversary of tbs Battle OF Antie-
tan.
1t was resolved that the name of General
Smyth, (who was sec )nd Colonel Of the regiment
after the reorganization for three years.) should
be placed on the roll of membership, and call
ed at each Re- Union, when the member who had
seen mort service with the Legiment should re-
spond, according to the old custom of the French
Army, dead on the Field of Honor |"
The meeting adjourned to re-assemble in the
evening, at banquet, at Robinson's saloon.
TUE BANQUET IN THE EVENING.
The company, to the number OF about one
hundred and twenty-five, a few only being ex-
soldiers OF other regiments, aud other invited
guests, sat down to the banquet promptly at s
o'clock. Col. j. W. Andrews presided.
After the meal WAS disposed of, the following
list OF toasts was read by Capt. Gawthrop, and
responded to, as stated
l. The President of the United States. U. s.
District Attorney Higgins replied in suitable
terms, concluding with glowing eulogy of the
Delaware Soldiers.
2. The Army and Navy. Lieut.. Col. Benjamin
Nields made the response, and referred elo-
quenty to the service of both.
3. The LIST Delaware Volunteers. Col. J. W.
Andrews, in response, told very effectively
story OF the War, describing the scene when the
colors were presented to the Regiment, and all
solemnly snore to protect them.
4. Our Deceased Comrades. referring to this,
Lieut.. Il. T. Grubb read touching poem and
Lieut.. James Lewis made an excellent address.
speaking in just and feeling terms of the fallen
heroes.
5. The Delaware Soldiers. In reply, General
Daniel Woodall described the courage and de-
yotion of Delaware's sons, in all periods of the
Nation 8 record, and regretted the fact that the
written history of their services was not pre-
served.
9. The Volunteers of our Sister States. Capt
Nathaniel Bayne, (11Sth Penna. Yols.) replied,
briefly but very appropriately.
Z. The Press. Howrrd NJ. Jenkins, Of the
COMMERCIAL, replied dwelling on a few points
WHARF tlN pFpHa m 4uif Ia
the Soldiers to the National Cause, and closed
by reference to the two flags borne by each
regiment-one OF the State symbolizing the
Home OF the regiment; and the other of the
of Union.
s. The Medical Department. Dr. D. W. Maull,
describing the endurance, and uncomplaining
courage OF the soldiers, related an interesting
incident at Antietam.
8. The Commissary Department. Major R. L.
Hayes replied. and aptly described tbe impor-
tance OF the department to the efficiency and
success of the army.
10. The Loyal Women of the Land Capt ].
farke Postles, In response to this, paid glow
ing tribute to the women who suffered SO much
OF the wounds OF war, and supported 80 bravely
the Efforts Of the soldiers in the field.
IL. The Event we Celebrate-Our Reunion.
Lieut.. s. A. Macaister in an interesting mAu-
ner told of the history OF the Regiment, and re-
ferred IN appropriate terms to the Significance
of the Reunion.
IL. Our National Flag Lieut.. John NJ. Dunn,
who was standing at the head OF the room, where
the regiment colors had been placed, alluded to
them, in eloquent terms. Placing his hand ON
the staff, he said it was the identical flag which
General Smyth presented to his keeping as Color
Sergeant before the battle of Charlottesville,
and which he never had parted with till it was
delivered to the State, at the close Of the War.
Capt. A. s. Nones hero read very effectively
the little poem, A Touch of Nature"
IL. Prison Life. Capt. Il. G. Alexander earn
estly aud graphically painted some of the scenes
of life in a military prison. This closed the
speaking, and about 10:45 O'clock the Company
broke up. There were no liquors of any kind in
connection with the banquet, This is custom,