Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-11-13
The Cavalry Reunion.

The second annual reunion Of the First
Vermont Cavalry took place at Montpelier,
on Wednesday, Nov. 4th. About forty
members of the regiment gathered at the
business meeting in the afternoon.
The meeting was called to order by the
president, General William Wells, and +.
S. Stranahan, of St. Adams. was elected
secretary pro TEN.
The committee on nominations reported
the following list of officers. who were duly
elected, for the ensuing year: For presi-
dent, Major Josiah Grout, Jr., of New
port for yice-presidenr. Capt. F. Stewart
Stranahau, IF St. Adams; for treasurer,
Lieut.. Eli Holden. OF Barre for secretary.
William l.. Greenleaf, of Winooski.
The subject Of preparing and printing
history of the regiment was discussed. and
the newly-elected officers of the society,
with General Wells as chairman, were ap-
pointed a committee to procure a historian
for the regiment.
About fge hundred dollars were pledged
upon the spot to secure the publication OF
the history The meeting then adjourned
until evening, to meet at Bishops for the
supper and address.
THE SUPPER
was served at eight O'Clock. the dining
hall at Bishops had been deliberately deco
rated for the occasion. Heavy wreaths Of
cedar entwined the pillars and festoonec
the walls. One end OF the hall was draped
with American flags, and the word " Re
union in large letters OF evergreen, span
ned the other end. Hanging baskets of
vines and flowers, and pictures, battle-hags
and guidons, disposed upon the walls,
| added to the pleasing effect. The tables
were decorated with flowers, procured from
| Boston. for the occasion. The decorations
were arranged by Mr.. and Mrs. Roger
Bixby, Of Montpelier. and Mr.. A. Z. Pye,
of Boston. The handsome bill OF fare
showed profusion of game, fish. flesh,
fowl. fruit, and substantials and luxurles
of mary kinds, and all seemed to be well
cooked and neatly served, from the " cav
alrv soup"-n0t made of cavalry boots or
salt horse''-to the coffee. Over hun
dred cavalry men and guests sat down to
the feas.. After due attention to the
- creature comforts - Gen. Wells rose and
introduced the orator of the evening. Gen.
Wells said
Comrades 1t gives me great pleasure TO
welcome this evening this small body OF
members OF the First Vermont Cavalry. 1t
i long since some of Us, who have
exchanged greetings tonight, last met;
4 few of Us met year ago. ana
tonight it j. pleasure to meet some
new iace- of old friends We have a large
number OF members on our rolls; but they
are widely scattered throughout the eoun-
try. General Sheridan told me. when he
was last in Vermont that he met cavalry
men everywhere. and that on the extreme
| Western frontier he found more of them
than of any other branch Of the service. We
have been taking pains 10 obtain the present
addresses of members OF the regiment, and
TO give wider notice and secure fuller at
| tendance. in future. | now take great
pleasure in introducing one who, up to the
time of his promotion. was with Us IN all
our campaigning, who was with the regI-
ment more and could cell more of its men
by name than any other officer, and whom
We shall all be happy to hear. Assistant
Surgeon p ON Ed>on.
Surgeon Edison was greeted with hearty
applause.
SURGEON EDsoN'- ADDRESS.
Abiding to the silver shields in the vesti.
bule Of the Hall OF Representatives, be said
they were a summary OF the history OF YER
mont for FIVE years; for in one way OF
another, every interest OF the State centred
in her soldiers. and the history OF the regl
ments was her history. lie proceeded 10
describe the organization Of the cavalry
regiment. and the character of the men OF
whom 1t was composed 1t was, he said, a
sort of regimental town meeting Equality
fraternity and liberty, expressed the re!a-
tons of officers and men. In the common
acceptation Of the word soldier under which
the man becomes a mere machine, they were
not soldiers, but they were patriots, men OF
property anu standing who obeYed theiI
officers, by a s,rt Of tacit compact, but never
SURRENDERED their own judgment. lie mar
rated the rugged history Ui the regiment
during it, fret two years OF service, and
paid most interesting and effective tributes
10 the memory Of Colonel Halliday, OF Pres
ton, who was called by Custer the bes
cavalry colonel in the Army of the POto'
mae" of Perkins, Woodward, eastman
Hall, Ray, Stewart, and otner officers Of tbs
regiment who died Il the service.
DR.. Ei-on's address was an exceedingly
interesting and effective paper and VT
hope TO give it in full to our readers. at ar
early day.
Gen. Wells next called up, in turn, Major
Grout. Lieutenant Holden, Capt. Wheeler
Quartermaster Herbert Brainerd, Sergeant
Jones, who told how he put Lieut.. Seavel
under arrest Captain lie, (who has beer
writing a history Of the regiment. or rather
he said, of his own connection with it. anC
collected much material for a fuller history
winch he expressed his desire to turn oyel
to some more competent historian). Ser
geant Gibbs, and others. who related rem
iniscences OF the service. and often had the
tables in a roar Gen. W. ". Henry ant
&. e. Benedict, who were among the guest.
OF the evening, were called up and spoke
briefly. The company broke up about IL
in good order, and after a pleasant reunion
The Eeunlon Society Of Vermont 0mcers.
The ELEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING.
The Eleventh Reunion of Vermont Officer.
was held at Montpelier Thursday Nov. 5;h,
1874 The business meeting was held at the
| &C., H., n. ., ~ AL,r. .orar ~ Z, r.