Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-08-25
Saturday, Aug. 20, 1877.
The Vermont Centennial.

had her Centennial, and may b
congratulated upon the great SUI
cess attending it. Tho programm
was carried out from first to last !
q satisfactory manner. OF cours
there were some unavoidable
"hitches," but they were few AM
far between. The number of pei
sons present on Thursday could no
have been less than GO, 900, and ye
so complete were the arrangement
that all were comfortably fed ant
housed. Below will be found re
port of each days proceedings from
which the readers can obtain som'
idea of the great celebration.
Monday.
The Centennial Committee with larg
corps of assistants are busy in complct
ing the arrangements for the celebration
Many of the citizens are profusely dec
Grating their houses, while all public
buildings and prominent points have
been designated by appropriate ensig
MIA. In the Afternoon Gov. Fairbanks
received the National Guard of Yer
mont, Col. j. S. Peck commanding
which had been in camp since Saturday
Tuesday.
Bennington presents picturesque
and beautiful appearance in the bright
morning sunshine. Thousands of flags
and millions of decorations greet the
eye, while the buzz of busy preparation,
the roll of the drum and the sound OF
the guns fall upon the ear. Distinguish.
ed guests are constantly arriving, and
are promptly conveyed to places assign
ed them. Col. Hooker with the Wind
ham County battalion marched through
the streets eliciting much applause. The
veterans marched over the mountain S
thirty-eight miles, having rendezvoused
at Brattleboro. Late ut night a long
train arrived bearing the Governor OF
New Hampshire, with his aids, the
Council, members of the Legislature,
several companies of the State militia.
the Amoskeag Veterans of Manchester,
and large delegations of veteran SOL
diers from Manchester and other places.
Wednesday
was really the first day of the celebration
and the weather proved most propitious.
The scene in town in the morning was
one never to be forgotten by the behold
er. Every species of vehicle came pour
ing in from the country during the morn
ing, on all the roads converging here
bringing sight-seers and patriotic citi
zens. Crowds line the streets and fill
the accessible places on window and
doorway, while banners, and flags, and
streamers decorate the scene with bright
ness, cheer the multitude and crafty
the taste. At camp everything has life
and animation. From reveille to the
time the procession began its march
about the streets there was constant
for the parade. and at nine
O'Clock the several organizations march
ed forth from their quarters and took up
their position in battalion line ready to
move into the general column. The ex-
ercises OF State Day began with patri-
otto salute and the ringing Of all the
bells in the town. About 8 80 the uni
formed militia of Vermont New Hamp-
shire and Connecticut formed process
sion at the foot of County street, under
The direction of Major A. B. Valentine
Of Bennington. the arrangement differ
ing from the published official program.
The duty of escorting the State officials
and other civic dignitaries fell to the
First Vermont Regiment, splendid
body of men, 700 strong, who presented
= fine appearance in their gray and
white uniform. Then came the Cover
Tor of Vermont, the Executive Commit
ee of the Bennington Battle Monument ,
Association, and the Vermont Centen- t
lial Commission and invited guests in
ourteen carriages. The Second Divi s. !
on was headed by the Putnam Phalanx f
# Hartford, in their picturesque uni f
orm of the Revolutionary period, fol-
owed by New Hampshire troops, con- +
listing of the Amoskeag Veterans, Maj. I
Wallace; the Portsmouth Heavy Artille- a
y, Capt Vaughan, forty-five men the q
tate Capital Guards of Concord, Capt. !
'e]t, tifty-three men; the Hinsdale G
iuards, Capt. Hosford, thirty-five men il
he Manchester War Veterans, Captain
lodge, fifty-six men, escorting State Of y
Gals of New Hampshire and the City g
government Of Manchester. The third
vision, under Col. Hooker of Brattle- a
ORC, with an imposing staff of mount :,
d officers. was the GROWING feature of i
lie procession, composed, as it was, of il
he war veterans of Vermont in their p
very-day attire, rough and ready for
uty. The First Brigade, embracing G,
lie southern county battalions, number al
g about $50 men; the Second, Col. ii
was 800 strong; the Third, R
Of. Tracy, from Rutland and Addison ii
,unties, 1926; and the Fourth was made in i,
? of the yeomanry of Washington, Or HI
lge, Lamoille, Orleans, Essex and CAL n
lonia counties, 600 strong, making Sc
tai of about 2300 men. Along the ", w
ute of the procession dense crowds 81
ocked the streets and lanes, and surg az az
to and fro with eager anticipation es
id desire to see the whole show or 1 zc
e in the attempt. 1t was march OF In
umph, ovation and unbounded patri- an a.,
ism and enthusiasm. an
The head of the column arrived at the la,
alton tent at IL A. NJ. Upon the plat n 'n
m were Governors Fairbanks of Ver- ten