Connecticut western news., 1878-09-26
The Old Regiment speaks.

We, the Second Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery, formerly the 18th Con- necticut Volunteer Infantry, at Litchfield, thls | lth day of September, 1878, in It un- ion assembled, do herein declare and pub fish our gratitude to the citizens ot this couHty, for the generous and hearty wei come we have always received at our an- nnal gatherings.
 We have been sumptuously entertained CsIce at Litcbtied and Winsted, ouce at ! New Milford, Tnomaston, Wolcottvllle, by Kent and Cornwall Bridge, at Woodbury, by Washington, New Preston and Warren, at Watertown and New Hartford, and we | here and now, tender each and all of them our hearty thanks for their oveJflowing | hospitality which has made our reunions so pleasant and enjoyable.
 We ale well aware that the lively inter ests taken in our organizations is because we are the only complete regina ent from our mountain county that was raised dur ing the war, and there is scarcely hilltop, hardly a valley or corner of our county that was not represented in oul original | 18th c. V.
 | The raising of county regiments proved to be wise movement. It aroused the pa triotism and pHde of each section of oul commonwealth. Active and enthusiastic efforts were made in each county 60 be tho first in the field with regiment. | The county line localized the organiza ton and gave it well-defined boundary, large enough to raise its complement ol men, and compact enough 10 create a con- stant and earnest interest in It's welfare; fol whether Tn the camp, or on the march, oI in the noise and excitement of battle, we were always sure that Tn the northwest cor. | ner of our small but glorious State there were many warm and loving hearts con tinually following us by their thoughts and good wishes and praying for our safe re turn home.
 1 We would that all who went out with us might have returned. But thls could not be. Oar bravest and best are not here to day. They fell on the field of battle, ol they wasted away by disease, or wounds in hospital, or death iL his march has called and taken them away since their return home.
 l To all the bereaved friends of our com rades we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
 Sixteen years ago to-day, within sight of | where we are now assembled, we were mustered into the United States service tol three years.
 If we were not Tn at the beginning of tue war, we dld participate in the end of the Rebellion. elf we did not See Bull Run, we did find Peterst urg. Sailors Creek anc Appomattox Court House.
 After nearly three years' service we again became one people. the War closed and we received our honorable discharge.
 For thirteen years we nave enjoyed the blessings and pursuits of peace. We have been made happy by the generosity, love and kindness of our county friends at oul annual reunion,
 We cannot expect th m always to con linue these manifestations of their gooC will. They have already extended then beyond our expectation. .z,.A
 It is our desire to make due acknowledg- ment to all our friends ill Lltchfield coun ly. We will always hold them in gratefu remembrance, and whenever it shal! seen best to discontinue such ample preparations for our entertainment we shall feel that Ou friends are houorably discharged from fur ther obligations to us.
 We request our Secretary to enter thcs' minutes upon the records of our organiza- uon. and to forward copy fol publication to every paper in the county.