The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-09-10


Yesterday occurred the reunion of the First
Maine Cavalry. They turned out in large
numbers, there being two hundred present Tn
comrades assembled at Grand Amy Hall at
o'clock in the morning. At 10 a line wa
formed and headed by Chandler's Band the,
marched to Custom House wharf where they
took the steamer Gazelle for Peaks Island.
Soon after arriving the business meeting wai
held. The following officers were elected:
President, Sydney W. Thaxter.
Vice President, j. B. Loring.
Secretary, l.. B. Hill.
Rec. Secretary, o. $. Haskell.
Treasurer, w. FL. Smith.
1t was voted to held the next meeting at Bel
fast the first week in September.
| The President, the officers of the association
and Gen. Cilley, were appointed committee
TO make arrangements for reunion Of all the
| regiments in the state next year, the eucamp-
| ment to last three days.
After the business meeting came the long
looked for clam bake. 1t was served in fine
style and was keenly relished by the veterans.
The next thing in order was the drill, which
was entered into with great zest. The remain
der OF the day was spent in social intercourse
In the evening the regiment met at Grand
Army Hall where collation. was partaken of.
The stage in the rear of the hall was trimmed
with flags bearing the names of the battles
fought by the egiment-6S in number-a larger
number we believe than any other regiment,
reguler or volunteer, participated in. On
one flag was the names of the departed COM
rades-23 in number. When the tables were
ready for the company, the lady friends were
seated before the doors were opened. The chap
Jain, Major Paul Chadburn, offered prayer.
The President, Major George NJ. Brown of
Boston, acted as Toastmaster. After the inner
man had been satisfied the POSTMASTER took
his seat and began to offer the toasts.
The first toast of the evening was.
sour departed Comrades"
Responded to by Gen. Cilley, who delivered
a fine effort on the departed comrades. He
thought that they were not far off as the senti-
ment would Indicate but were near us all of
the time,
The next toast was '.The Wounded and Dis
abled''
Responded to by DR.. S. G. Gordon, who
spoke at some length of the suffering of the
soldiers on the field of strife.
The next toast was sour absent Comrades"
Before this toast was responded to lett ers
were read from Lieut. Toby of Providence. r.
l., DIR. Stevens Of Showhegan, Capt. w. S.
Howe of Pfttsfeld, regretting their inability
to be present.
Three cheers were given for Col. Smith of
the regiment.
The response was given by Major Thaxter of
this city, the President elect. He expressed a
wish that all absent members conld be present,
and spoke of the young men who composed so
large share Of the regiment. His remarks
were very humorous.
Letters weIe read from Gov. Dingley and
General Murray of Augusta, COL
Daniel White and Senator Hamin of Bangor,
that they were unable to be present.
AT this point Capt. Ford told good story re-
lative to camp life, and many other yarns were
spun, while the band played "Marching through
Georgia.
The next toast was "Our Regiment and Re-
union.''
Responded to by Major Murch of Pittsburg,
Mass, who was warmly applauded.
A humorous letter was read from one of the
old comrades who declined to give his name.
A poem, written by R. W. Porter who was
unable to be present, was read by the toas.-
master.
Gen. Starbird of the 18th Maine, was next
called upon and spoKe briefly and feelngly of
he comradeship which survives the war;
Gen. Starbird was followed by more remin-
sinces of the days of glory by Major Brown
Ind Others, The President then pointed to
cavalry guidon suspended in front Of him and
'emarked that it was present from the ladies
If Portland. and called upon Capt Ford to re-
'pond to the sentiment, The ladies Of Portland
IN particular and the ladies in general. Capt.
Ford remarked that he had done his part and
turned to COL 2. A. Smith, LIST Heavy Artil-
ery, for substitute, who briefly responded.
Following this were speeches by Capt. Prince,
Major Chadbourne, Major Hall, Post Com
mander Ingalls, and Others Capt. ". B.
Smith of Portland, told, with fine effect, biz
Of resimental history, which provoked wild
as it was of personal order.
AS many of the ladies present belonged in
this city, and as this regiment was the first to
invite them to participate in these reunions,
they requested Dr. Gordon to present in thei
oCualA d NOtc VI tuduho, w ulCu ue ulu III d lew
well chosed remarks. Major Thaxter moved
vote of thanks to Bosworth Post G. A. R., for
the use Of their hall for the banquet.
The frequent mention of the pane of the
gallant Col. Dou.y, who was killed at Aldee,
ELECTED applause, as did similar mention of
other names of their illustrious dead.
As the larger part of the members of the as
ISOLATION were Obliged to go East on. the II
o'clock train, the exercises were forced to a
although there were lots of the
boys who were eager to remain until the latest
moment At half past ten the band played
Aud Lang Syne," the whole company join
ng in singing. The boys then grasped hands,
ooked into eyes so familiar again, spoke the
hearty and sometimets faltering farewell, and
went their way. Thus closed he third reunion
If regiment more widely known for its bril-
liant record of hundred battles than any vol
lnteer regiment in the late war. Proud of their
lndying fame, Maine should cherish the men |
who 20 dearlysyet so faithfully brought her so
great renown. The remnant left by death are
as fine and intelligent body of men as can be
mustered in tbs state. These reunions are |
models which every regiment may we'll copy,a as
they might have followed the ir soldierly con-
duct on the field.
LAST OF THE SEAsoN.-Tho excursion