Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-06-17
ORGANIZATION or THE BELLEroxrE

pieb took pihcoi III puTsuahce Vi oioeibi Vh
last Saturday afternoon, at the parlors Of
the Undine Fire Company, on Bishop
street. Maj. Geo, +. Harris, conducted
the organization and election, assisted by
Lieutenants Jackson and Ames, Of AL
toona, officers Of the Fifth regiment. The
attendance was unexpectedly large, forty
three OF the fifty-two on the roster, hold
ing up their hands and solemnly pledging
themselves TO the service Of the State for
FIVE years. The contest for the different
positions, although animated, was carried
on with the utmost good feeling and there
was not single unpleasant feature in the
whole proceedings. Amos Mullen was
elected Captain, Geo. L. Potter, First
Lieutenant and Harry S. Hale, Second
Lieutenant. These selections were re-
ceived with the greatest satisfaction by the
whole company. Their well-known char
acter and fitness insuTes wisdom and care
in the choice oi the remaining officers of
the company. Although the commissioned
officers in a military organization, are Of
course, the most important in point Of
honor and preference, yet there are other
officers in humber position, equally i'm
portant TO the discipline and morale of the
men. This is especially true of the Order
ly Sergeant. After the election of officers
had been satisfactorily concluded, Major
Harris in a few well chosen remarks in
troduced Col. Burchfield, commanding the
Fifth regiment. The Colonel paid high
compliment to the material composing the
company and predicted great results for
the future of the Fencibles. Speeches were
also made by Lieutenants, Jackson, Ames,
Col. Hastings, Maj. SSpaagler and others,
after which the company was disbanded
with orders TO assemble at the Undine
hose house, at y o'clock, p. NJ, for the
purpose Of rendering the position of Cap
tain TO Amos Mullen, who had not been
present at the time of his election. Head
cd by the Mountain City band, the newly
organized Fencibles marched TO the house
of their Captain elect. Mr.. Mullen ap-
peared and was informed by Maj Harris
Of his election. He accepted the responsible
position and was then sworn into the service
of the State. Three hearty cheers were Civ
en- by the company for their Captain which
called him forward. lie thanked the com
pany and introduced Maj Spangler, as his
proxy, in the speecb-making line. He
made happy little address, when Captain
Mullen took personal command of the
company, reformed it and gave the order
10 march. The next halt was made In
front Of the residence of Hon. A G.. Cur
tin, where the company was drawn up in
line, facing his mansion. After some
beautiful music rendered by the band,
Gov. Cnr,in appeared and was introduced
by Maj. SpaDgIer as the first Captain Of
the original Bellefonte Fencibles. After
briefly alluding to the old organization,
the Governor proceeded TO deliver one OF
the most eloquent ht;le speeches it was ever
our good fortune TO hear. His plea for
peace for good will, and national recon-
ciliation, ELECTED loud cheers from the
large crowd which lined the street. Leav-
ing here the Fencibles paid their respects
10 Lieutenants Hale and Potter. They
then marched TO the residence of General
james A. Beaver, commanding the bril-
gade of which the Fifth Regiment forms
part. Gen. Beavers remarks took a
practical turn. He reminded the 'boys"
that the career they had entered upon was
no child's play, and then proceeded TO in.
struct both officers and men on their du.
ties. He pledged the company the best
equipment the State could furnish and only
asked in return that the men should en-.
deavor TO make themselves good soldiers.
The company then marched in front of
the headquarters of the Grand Army of
the Republic where they were ordered TO
break ranks.
large number Of the members met
at the Undine hose house and underwen,
the necessary medical examination, on
Tuesday evening. Surgeon Harris of the
Fifth Regiment was In charge and he ex-
pressed himself to the effect that of all the
numerous companies he had examined none
presented better physical record than
the Fencibles. Lieut. Col. Hastings IL in
Philadelphia negotiating for the uniforms,
and the arms and equipments will be
promptly furnished. The company ex-
pect to have their quarters In Bush's
Arcade and the drilling Of the men will
commence at once. The Fencibles will
go into camp with the Fourth Brigade
at Braddock Station, In Allegheny county
in August.