Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-08-15
Letter From Bennington.


BENNINGTON, Vt, August IL, 1871
Arriving here in the wee sma' hours Of Friday
night, we awoke on Saturday morning to find the
town all alive with preparation for that coming
event" which has 70 long been "casting It's
shadow" Bunting Is in great demand, and pub
lie and private buildings have been profusely
trimmed, 30 that the town is now arrayed In
costume fitting to this great occasion, and has put
on neat and attractive appearance. Atriumphal
arch has been erected the corner OF North and
Main streets, upon which, aside from the several
state arms and numerous appropriate decora-
tons, are two significant inscriptions, "a follows
" You see the Red coats; they are ours, or Moie
Stark sleeps widow TO night and Peace hath
her victories no less renowned than war" Sus-
pended over the street in several other places are
banners bearing messages of greeting to the mill
tary and distinguished visitors
Up to the present writing visitors have not
come in great numbers, but to-day the influx will
begin, and continue until bennington is pressed
full and running over. The natives are making
extensive preparations for the accommodation OF
strangers, but whether the demand will he greater
than the supply, nice Cersa, remains to be seen
THE MILITARY.
The military began to arrive on Friday night,
the Bradford Guards coming at that time The
Fuller Battery of hundred men, commanded by
Captain Levi X. Fuller, reached Bennington on
Saturday morning, having marched from Brattle-
boro, forty miles over the mountains. In the af-
ternoon of the same day the First Regiment Ma
tonal Guards, Colonel r. S. Peck commanding,
arrived They were received by the Park Guards,
Of this town, and the Brandon Guards, with mill
tary honors, and escorted to camp. On reaching
the depot they were saluted by the blowing Of
steam whistles, and at the camp they were greeted
| by a salute from the Fuller Battery. The recep-
ton maneuvers at the depot were gone through
with in an excellent manner-the First Regiment
making splendid appearance-and the line of
march to the camp was through North and Main
streets, via the triumphal arch.
The camp ground is rapidly being put in
readiness for the reception of the veterans and
the other military organizations that are expected
to arrive to-day and tomorrow. The location Of
the camp could not have been bettered; every
thing has been done for the accommodation of
the public on the grounds and in the event Of
good weather the successful carrying out of the
military and civic programme is assured.
SUNDAY SERVICES
Centennial services were held at all the churches
in town, and on the camp-ground, yesterday
They were attended by large audiences, and were
extremely impressive and interesting. Perhaps
the most interesting however, was that held al
the old First Church, at Bennington Center in
the afternoon. This church has so interesting q
history of its own--where, at the time of the
threatened attack of Burgoyne, the preacher pat
riot urged his people to rouse up and meet the
annrouch If tho fnn in thp al (,Ol-wn,
literally packed with those who are deeply inter
ested in all matters relating to those old days
Brief addresses were made by Rev Messrs Jen
nings, L. c. Partridge, II. l.. Grant, C. b. Arm
strong, Foster Henry, T. G. Reed, g. q. Jones
and h. NJ Luther The remarks made were TO
the most part, pertinent to the occasion, and TIN
exercises were interspersed by frequent singing
by the entire congregation Governor Fairbanks
was present ~ these services, accompanied b!
Colonies lIubbel Estey and Hastings, of his staff
and Quartermaster Kingsley and Adjutant-Gen
eral Peck. On the camp ground the service wa
well attended and was conducted by Chaplain
Roberts, assisted by two other clergymen. Tn
subject considered in the discourse was " Wor
, and Soldiery."
IN GENERAL.
J Iarkin G. Mead the American sculptor al
rived on Saturday, accompanied by his wife.
Communications published in this morning
Banner, from reliable authority, make the fac
known that the Central Vermont road is to OPT
rate the Bennington and Rutland railway for tn
present. The public is to be congratulated tina
: tire annoyances which would have resulted fror
any "unpleasantness " in this direction hav
/ been avoided.
Colonel Peck has taken prompt steps to mali
tain order and quiet here during the week.
patrol of eighty men has been put on duty, IN
: it will be necessary for evil-disposed persons t
t keep shady"
Tomorrow Tuesday the " felicity eventuates
in earnest, with the meeting of the Editors Al
ISOLATION; and from that time until Friday {
= least, there will he enough going to satisfy II
: most anybody who IL anxious to keep busy.
e The usual army of boot-blacks peddlers, ind
- viduals with side-shows, etc, is already on han
all expecting n driving trade. Without havin
figured the matter down To a fine point, we shoul
say there was refreshment establishment {,
n about every ten persons expected, so that no on
t need 90 hungry for any length of time.
= With everything thus fairly started, we ca
only hope for good weather and grand success
j. W. $.