The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-08-22
Battle Day.

The weather was good for the celebra-
ton of the Centennial Anniversary of the
Battle of Bennington. The procession
was four miles long and was witnessed
/ by crowd of spectators estimated to be
| from g.. 1000 TO 100. 600 in number.
It is hard TO say what feature of the af-
! fair deserves most praise-whether the
military display made by the volunteer
troops of four states; or the long process
/ sion of veterans of the rebellion-stUrdy,
middle-aged men. with lines mtheir faces,
telling of courage and endurance; or the
official element embracing the State Gov
clnmcnts of Vermont, New Hampshire
and Massachusetts. the three states that
sent soldiers to the Bennington fight 100
wears ago: the grand outpOuring of the
peoplc. or the bOuntiful hospitality of the
| townsfolks. and their enterprise and tire
less laboTs in organizing the celebration.
Giving all full recognition, there is yet
something more important than either,
without which the celebration would have
failed - a feeling of earnest patriotism,
arc, 1sed by the memories Of the Revolu-
tionor,- struggle; a healthfnl state pride
which lea DIS three states to claim each its
share of the glory of Gen. Stark's victory,
md a sentiment of nationality shown in
the invitation; to She President, and in the
cordial reception gwen him by men OF all
norfics Nowhere could the attractions
of holiday diversion have drawn inns mn
mcuse multitude to llttle mountain VII
| LACE of scarce 5000 INHABITANTS NoJh-
| ing except strong, enthusiastic sentiment
could have produced such oemopstra-
ton; and it is exceedingly CRAFTY ing III
a material age, when questions of b2sl-
ness, employment and wages are upper
most, to find so much wholesome senti-
ment existing in the popular heart.
The forum of the occasion is fifty
acre field, slOping down from the wooded
sides of Mount Anthony in billowy
ridges toward the valley, where lies the
village with its white houses, looking
! like flakes of foam on sea of green foli-
age. All around. save to the westward,
are the steep slopes of the green noun
tains, with dark clOud-shadOws floating
along their sides. The field is bordered
| by the pretty camps of the National
! Guard and the veterans. the rows of tents
! looking as white as snow-drifts. In the
open space there is wonderfully varied
picture of life and movement. Militia
men in gay uniforms, military bands here
and there, families picnicing on the grass,
and everywhere the vast multitude OF
good-natured people. SO striking an out
door scene is seldom witnessed III this
country.
The procession excited even more en-
thusiasm than that of the previous day.
1t was larger aud the presence of the
rrcsiuenU Impaired special interest. me
procession started about half-past nine,
the column being formed according 70
the following programme:
Platoon of police. marshal and assist
ant, Ransom guard band. first regiment
national guard of Vermont. with cannon
captured at the battle of Bennington in
charge of detail from Fuller's battery,
Park guard band, Park guard of Ben
nington. Gov. Fairbanks and staff. Hon.
&. j. Phelps, chairman centennial COM
mission, president 81 the day, company OF
veterans detailed from reunion organfza-
llohs. Is special escort to the president,
PRESIDENT of L. S. and members of cabi-
net, Second division: Brandon band,
Putnam PhalanX. fife and drum corps,
Putnam PhalanX of Hartford, orator OF
the day, President Bartlett of Dartmouth
college, poet of the day, VIM. Cullen
Bryant, Vice-President of the United
States, Chief Justice Waite, Bennington
battle monument association. Vermont
centennial commissioner, United States
senators and Representatives Vice-Admi-
raj Rowan, United States navy, Cover
nors Conner of Maine and staff. Van
Zaudt OF Rhode Island and staff, COLON
of Illinois, Mathew of West Virginia, Lud-
ingJOn of Wisconsin. Drew of Florida
governors of other states and distinguish
ed guests, e&-gOYcrnors Of Vermont, 9th.
er civil service and military organizations
OF Vermont, Bennington fire department.
Third division: Manchester band, Amos.
keag veterans escorting Gov. Prescott oil
New Hampshire, State officers, Manches-
ter war veterans of New-Hampshire mill,
tia escorting city government of Man.
chester, Browns band, battalion OF
New Hampshire militia, Manchester wal
veterans, Portsmouth heavy artillery
company Il, first regiment, Gov. Che
ney guards of Peterboro, company b,
first regiment, Stafford guards of Dover
company A, second regiment, Hinsdal(
guards, company G, second regiment
State capital guards of Concord. Compa.
ny X, second regiment, commissioned of
fcers of New-Hampshire state militia
Fourth division: Boston cadet band OK
pieces), first corps of cadets escorting the
lieutenant governor of Massachusetts
with staff, and Legislature of Massachu.
sets. Fifth division: Donngs band OF
Troy, N. y, Tibbitt's corps Veterans
of Troy, Fuller's battery of Vermont
President Hayes and party were cheereC
all along the route with great enthusi
asm.
When the procession arrived at the
Centennial Fields it passed in review be
fore the President, Mrs. Hayes and the
Cabinet. Mr.. Hayes welcomed the pro
cession with brief remarks, in which he
congratulated the State of Vermont upor
this felicitous centennial occasion, and re
ferred to the evident interest taken in thu
centennial anniversary by the visiting of
ticials of sister states, the military, anC
the thousands present. The sentiment
was seconded by Secretary Evarts. Geo
w. McCrary, Secretary of War, then in
troduced Mrs. Hayes to the people very
happily as President Hayes Molly Stark
Great enthusiasm was elected by these
expressions.
After the review the exercises in the
pavilion tent took place. Chief MARSHA
Valentine and staff escorted the Presi
dent and Cabinet, the Governor of Yer
mont and Executives OF other States, the
Chaplain and Orator of the day and 9th
er guests to seats upon the platform.
The exercises began with prayer by
the Rev. John Wheelock Allen, a grand
son Of the fighting Parson Allen Of Ben
nington battle memory. Il. j. Phelps
President Of the Centennial Commission
then introduced Gov Fairhapke rvhe