The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-05-29
LECTURE OF COL. vEAXEY.
GEN. GEORGE GORDON MEADE

The lecture of our soldicr-citzen, Col
W. G.. Ncazey, on Thursday evening at thC
Opera House, under the auspices of Post
Roberts. No. Il, G. y r., was fairly at
tended, judging from a Rutland standard
The evening was very warm which, per.
haps, prccluded some from attending. The
objects sought for by this entertainment
were certainly of the most commendablC
character such as should, at any time
be the weather fair or foul -brng out an
audience composed Of every citizen OF
Rutland, who was able to walk or ride 10
the hall.
The subject Of the address was "Gcncr-
al George Gordon Meade" and it was. u.
could be well expected from the reputation
of the speaker, handled in an able and
mastery manner. The orator was intro
duced by James II. Dyer. commander Of
the Post, and did not fail, throughout the
entire evening, to enlist the heartfelt sym
pathy and closest attention Of the audience,
while his remarks were frequently APP
plaudcd.
The Grafton was an euiogistic biography
Of the "hero of Gcttysburg' from his
youth to the time Of his lamcnted decease
His military training at school was briefly
sketchcd up to the time Of his entrance into
the army and his participation in the McXi-
can war; from thence.to his taking com
mand in the famous PENNSYLVANIA Re
serves, his accession 10 the army OF the
James, and on to his assumingcommand Of
the army of the Potomac, The principal
details of the Generals life were reviewed
with deserved and eloquent commentators
upon his distinguished career. while at the
same time his connection with the several
different armies and departments served to
bring ont many interesting and stirring III
cidcnts of the war for the Union.
Bat the crowning point of the Grafton
was the vivid description of the battle of
Gettysburg given, as it was, n, word
picture from one who was in the thicllcst
OF that glorious fight, and who can, in his
OWE truthful and eloquent way, tell the
story to an audience. We have heard and
read many lectures and descriptions of this
famous battle, but that Of Col Vca2ey.
given in this lecture, we claim to be the
best. most exhaustive and most interesting
that has been given to the public. The
minutcst details Of the three days fight
were reviewed and briefly touched upon,
while the more striking and important por-
tons OF the great battle We're portrayed
with interest and effect. Especially was
this the case in describing the change upon
and capture of little Round-top'- i'm
portant part of the 1ield--also, the part
which the 81 Vermont brigade took during
the battle.
The distinguishing characteristics of
Gen. Meade were described and commented
| upon with an evident familiarity with the
| subject, while few contrasts were given
between Meade and other leading generals
in their most striking points Of character.
1
turc of Meades character as military lead
er, while he was believed by the speaker to
possess better c0mjia0ti0n of qualities as
military leader than Grant Sherman OF
Sheridan, and to have possessed less faults
he was compared to General George Ii.
1 Thomas, the lamentcd Western hero, in
! many qualities of head and heart.
The evolutlons of the members of tho
military school of Capt. Kelly upon the
stage, were highly commendable to theil
zeal and training and were very interesting
to the audience. Several boqucts were
thrown TO them by ladies present They
also sang Battle Cry of Freedom an(
Help it on, under the leadership of Geo
J Q. Day, j. B. Hathaway acting as organ
ist The drum corps Were especially cX
/ cellent in execution.