Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-08-13
The Soldiers Re.t'nion.

has been the re union Of the Vermont soldier
at Rutland on Wednesday, Thursday and Fri
day.
The idea Of aro-union Of the men, as well a
the Officers, from this state ha. been frequent
ly discussed at the meetings Of the Officers Re
Union Society, ind as often laid upon the tabl
without definite action. 1t was too bold an cx
pertinent too great an innovation upon Tn
ideas aud objects for which the Officers Sociot
was formed, and many prophesied that nothinl
but disaster could come Of such an assembling
Of soldiers, under no military restraint or dis
ciplne. At the annual encampmcnt Of tn
Grand Army Of the Republic, held in Januar,
last at st. Adams, however. the subjcc, wa
considered, and a committee, consisting Of TN
persons who suggested and advocated the mea
sure, were appointed to attend 70 the prclim
inaries and carry out such programme as the,
should arrange II was bold step to take, bu
the matter fell into excellent hands. and with
out hesitation, and no apparent fear Of failure
they have pressed the matter forward n tri
umphant success, crcdinbe alike to ,hemselye
and TO the sOldicry OF the State.
On Wednesday morning the forces began t,
come in, each train bringing It's contribution
to the general reunion fund. Each detach
ment ms it put in an appearance was promptly
formed, and marched to the camp ground, abou
a mile distant. 1t was not until one entered
this ground that full idea of the magnitud,
of tho occasion possessed him Almost tn,
entire area Of the large enclosure, with the ex
ception Of the space which the track surround
ed, was covered with tents, arranged by brig
AIDES, with the proper officer accommodations
The camp had been thoroughly fitted up for tn,
reception Of the soldiers, and evidences Of much
labor and flrethought in its preparation were
everywhere visible Wood and water those in.
dispensables to camp life, were plenty and
handy, and the soldiers soon fell into smaller OF
bigger knots, welcoming old friends or new NO
cessions to the ranks, and disposing Of them.
selves as only the old campaigner can do when
he finds himself in good and comfortable
quarters.
In the evening the doors Of the huspihhe
mansion of Mr. Charles Clement were thrown
open for a public reception to Governor and
Mrs Converse, whose guests they were For
hours the throng surged through Mr. Clement
parlors, all eager 10 shake hands with their
Governor. It is ofcourse needles. to say that
they were treated With that urbanity and pc.
liteness which Is so eminently characteristic
of Governor Converse. as a gentleman of the
old school. About 10 O'Clock the reception was
brought t. close. A splendid sight to those
returning to the ground from the reception
were the apparently innumerable camp-fres
blazing before the quarters, and the enthusiastic
and irrepressible men gathered about them, re-
counting their experiences to knots of eager
listeners Many and merry were the shout,
which the variations Of some of them ELECTED
and cheeringand enivening were the songs Nth
which they were plentifully interspersed
Thursday, although the great day Of the
feast, was passed quietly, comfortably and de-
lightfully until after dinner. Before noon,
however, the crowds who had thronged the
town began 10 turn their footsteps toward the
camp, and when the troops began to form, at
80 O'Clock, fully $500 persons were present
to witness the spectacle As the bands struck
up with martial music, the troops began t.
form in line Camp Doubleday presented d
scene Of animated activity that reminded the
spectators strongly Of old war times
The troops had been originally divided into
four brigades, commanded respectively by Gen
erals Henry, Thomas, Ripley and Scayer
The second brigade, however, commanded by
General Thomas, and composed Of troops from
Caledoda, Essex, Orleans and Washington
counties, being very thinly represented in num
bers, at the suggestion Of General Thomas was
consolidated with General Sewers brigade
50 that only three brigades actually appeared
in line, the officers Of the second brigade f,l
the greater part taking their position in III,
ranks Of General Sewers brigade. The troops
were som deplOyed in line for review, which
was gone through with by Governor Converse
(who, despite his years presented a galan
appearance on horseback accompanied by
large retinue Of Officers. After this the column
was massed in front Of the speakers stand
they, and the crowded seats (pentifull,
sprinkled with gaily dressed ladies' and tn
handsome equipages surrounding, presente'
a brave and stirring spectacle.
We are especially sorry that we have no
room to present to our readers even an ab~.rac
Of the remarks made by the different speakers
They were thoroughly enjoyed, and oheered t
~ s.L, -, tho t-,st or,v,1 81, ,ttapHareo "a
can barely give the names in the order in whic
they spoke, leaving our readers who were no
present to imagine how much they lost D.
their absence They were General Deyens, d
Massachusetts, Grand Commander Of the Gran
Department of the Grand Army OF the Re
public, General aud Governor Joseph r. Haw
ley, Of Connecticut; General Doubleday, VIII
commanded the second brigade Of Vernon
troops at the battle Of Gettysburgh Genera
and Lieutenant Governor Robinson, Of Ne'
York; General Griffin, in whose command wa
the Seventeenth Vermont regiment; Generl
Spngue of Massachusetts,; Chaplain rrumbul
of Connecticut Governor Converse, COlon'
W. q. Yeazey and General Stannard, of th
State We doubt if more gallant array
speakers could be gathered anywhere, and
there should chance to be, we most scriousl
doubt if they could again speak 50 happily {
50 we'll They were evidently inspired by tt
occasion, aud each did his best, which Is suf
eient tribute to the speech-making
After the addresses were concluded the liz
was reformed, and shortly the different brl,