Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-08-08

No Maine Regiment has a better record than
tue FIRST Maine Cavalry Going to the field of
battle early in the campaign, these "long-armed
Maine Cavslrymen had the satisfaction and
glory OF participating in the last battle of the
great rebellion. Coming from the best homes in
the State, the material of the regiment could not
be surpassed, aud the name they have made IN
history can be no surprise to the intelligent mind.
But 1t Is not our purpose to write a history of
this noble regiment, however pleasant that task
may be, but TO give plain, unvsrnished report of
the seventh reunion of the regiment which took
plsee In this city yesterday. The members of the
old regiment residing in Augusta, led by Mai
John ID. Myrick, President of the FIRST Maine
Cavalry Association, bad looked forward for some
time 10 the event, with great pleasure, and made
due preparations therefor; and they are entitled
to great credit for making such satisfactory ar
engagements and carrying them out so admirably.
The clouds that lowered in the morning after
the sharp rain of the previous day. began to clear
away, and the sun came out cheerfully, shining
upon the twenty tents that had been pitched upon
the identical spot where stood Camp Penobscot, on
the old trotting park. The old comrades in arms
began to arrive in town early and to gather at the
Grand Army hall. where cordial welcome was
given them by then former comrades The nine
Russian officers from the Cimbris arrived on the
forenoon train from Bangor, accompanied by
Mayor Ham lin, and were received at the depot by
the committee Of arrangements and a large crowd
who gathered to behold the representatives of a
country so closely allied in patriotism to our own
The officers appeared in citizens dress the most OF
them young, fine looking men. They were accom-
panied by Mayor Hsmln who acted as theirinter-
prefer in the German language. We give the
names OF our Russian visitors Capt Beclemuchetf,
DIR. Bogslulot, Lieuts. Ivan off Javoroukuff Neren
Glassenap, Boisemar, Duhzotwosky, Jschov Jeff
They were taken in coaches to the Augusta House,
which will be their headquarters during their stay
here as the guests of the city as we'll as the Csya
ry. In the afternoon they visited the Soldiers
Home, on invitation Of Gen. Tilton, and after the
reunion in the evening they were entertained
OF the house of Senator Blaine. To-day they
will be shown the places of interest about the city,
by the Mayor, who waited upon them yesterday,
and extended the hospitalites of the city.
As the members of the Ass ,ciation gathered,
they proceeded from the Grand Army hall to
Camp Penobscot, where rstions were served, and
the day spent in free and easy manner playing
SOLDIER" relating incidents of their army life, and
living over again the stirring scenes 10 which they
were actors. The time was very pleasantly
employed. The members of the old regiment
present numbered about hundred and fifty,
and were present from all parts of the State and
from different points in New England.
The comrades gathered around the State House
as if they loved to look at the grand old battle
Hsg-as if in that presence they felt more at home
with each other.
AT four o'clock the business meeting was called,
the President, Major John ID. Myiick, u the chair
The annual reports were read and accepted.
committee consisting of Comrades Drew of
Co. A, Lorng of Co. Is, Mason Co. {, Wilder OF
Co. ID, Hill of Co. E, Darling of Co. +, l.. ii. To-
bic Of Co. q, Hall of Co. II, Curtis OF Co. l.
Getchel OF Co. X, Carson Of Co. l., Jordan OF Co.
NJ, and DR.. Bodhsh of the Field and Staff, as APP
pointed TO nominate officers for the ensuing year
subsequently the committee reported the follow
| ing list of officers, which was adopted, and the
officers severally elected:
| President-Msjor ii. &. Hall.
Vice President-Surgeon Colby.
Recording Seeretary-L ieutJ ohm r.. Andrews.
Corresponding Secretary Lieut.. o. 5. Has
kell.
Treasurer--W. b. Smith.
| Comrades Henry Little, Hersey and Chas. w.
Jordan were appointed a committee to nominate a
place lOf tue next annual reunion. ms commit
tee subsequently reported three places, viz. Ban
gor, Bath and Lewiston; whereupon the commit
tee chose Lewiston.
Col. Cilley was chosen a committee to attend to
the placing IN the rotunda of the capitol, of the
| names of the battles which the reg iment WAS al
lowed to carry on the battlehag, that not al
| ready there.
1t was voted to have a record of the reunion ex-
ercises oil this the two preceding years printed
IN pamphlet form, aud a committee was appointed
TO take charge OF the matter.
The banquet and intellectual treat was held in
the evening, at Granite Hall, which was finely
decorated for the occasion. Red, white and blue
s,reamers depended from the centre OF the ceiling
to the galleries, and bunting interlaced nd
ing the galleries. The names of the officers killed
| in battle, as also the engagements 10 which the
regiment participated, printed in large letters.
ran around the entire length Of the galleries. The
stars and stripes we're placed in conspicuous posi-
lions about the hall. Elegant bouquets hung
from the large chandeliers and the other gas fix
lures. Four tables running the entire length OF
the hall were loaded with all the subssntals and
uxuries of first class banquet, which had been
kindly provided by the ladies Of Augusta, and
those especially interested in the old regiment.
A table for disting uished guests was placed in
front of the stage. Bouquets were also placed on
the table at various points, and button-hole
bouquets on every plate.
The members of the regiment, headed by the
Augusta Band, marched to the hall, escorting
their Russian guests, who appeared in the uniform
of the Russian navy. Seats were promptly taken
at the table, and after blessing invoked by Rev.
Mr. Curtis, the men "fell to-" and did full justice
to the good things placed before them.
The galleries were filled with invited guests.
The banquet having been partaken of, the
President Of the Association, Maj. j. d. Myrick,
called to order, and introduced as the orator of
the evening, one of the original members OF the
old regiment, who had won honor in every ca
pscity in the regiment, Lieut.. ii. F. blanchard.
We give abstract of Capt. Blanchard's GRAFTON.
The orator said that it was with much pleasure
and with feeling of PRIDE that for the first time
since the close of the he was enabled to look
upon gathering of the survivors of the First
Maine Cavalry, and to look again into the old
familiar faces. He should indulge in no vain
glorying over the record of the regiment, and
should make use of no extravagant language to
magnify its honorable achievements and brave ex-
plots. No words can add to its complete history
AZ . regiment, it stands without an equal, and
challenges the admiration Of all. Mutual suffer
inn and danger heget sympathy and sttachmen Mt