Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-06-18
GEN. M'MAHoN's SPEECH.

Comrades OF Ae ot1Ih to'ps-
congratulate you sincerely upon our assembling
again In reunion and in such goodly numbers. In
fact II could not well be otherwise on the soil OF
the State which has contributed SO much OF me
blood of the most heroic OF her sons TO make the
Sixth Corps what it was, source OF pride oevery
who bears Its insignia and an honor TO the army
in which IL served.
The state Of Vermont contributed more regl-
ments 10 the Sixth Army Corps than any other
State Of the Union and they were regiments wor-
thy of the State Of Stark and Allen-worthy In
herifors Of the gories OF Bennington and the
splendor of Ticonderoga
The Vermont Brigade, from the drummer boy of
Lees Nils up TO its FIRST Brigade Commander, sub
sequently the gallant commander OF the Corps,
General VIM. F. Smith, was every way worthy OF
the cause in which II was enlisted-worthy 10 i've
for lioerty or die for union
Recruited and sustained as il was by the people
and authorities of the State, much was expected OF
the Vermont Brigade by the Sixth Corps and by
the Army. Commanded as IL was first by Badly
Smith and later by that gallant, iustrious and
rough old soldier, who has passed forever away
from earthly commands, William F. ii. Brooks, II
was hardly possible for the Brigade to dlsappoint
these expectations. No body Of troops in or out
of the old Corps had a better record. No body OF
troops in or out Of the army Of the Potomac made
their record more calamity sustained II more
heroically wore their honors more modestly
II has been the custom, believe, and one worthy
of honor, for the President OF this Society upon
retiring 10 read paper devoted generally 10 me
CORPS / intend TO depart this morning from this
custom. inasmuch as the day before Us IS all 100
brief for duties and the pleasures which are To
be CROWDED mo II. H. HONtNtI, nave Jul
leave TO print will when our worthy Secretary
is preparing the next published report OF the So
ciety, hand him 10 inclCde therein some tribute TO
one or other Of the heroic men who died beneath
the banner Of the Greek cross.
Had prepared such q paper to-day, IL would nave
been devoted TO the memory OF Gen. Brooks, gal
liant soldier who concealed beneath blun exterior
heart as tender as that OF child II was sald o
him that he could march body of troops farther
bring them into action in better condition and ou
OF II with more honor than any Brigade Command
er in the Army. He left the impress OF his charac
ter on the gallant body of Vermont troops WHICH
he commanded.
1t would perhaps under the circumstances con
nected with my service in the corps be proper tina
should now devote what ! have to say, TO th'
memory of him whom we will love and honor alt
whose memory can never die as long as slhgl'
maa of the old corps breathes the breath OF NE
And yet 1t seems TO me that II Is waste OIL word
for any one 10 offer any tribute TO the memory
John Sedgyick in the presence OF the troops whoi
he commanded. He is too deeply and too dearly en-
shrned in the heart of every man who followed MN
TO need that his memory should be recalled In term
Of eulogy and yet feel that / IN the name OF I'M
Society should acknowledge the compliment pai'
TO him by the authorities of the State In nanlnl
after him the camp in which the militia who fori
our escort here are assembled and 10 say mat IN
survivors of this corps have appreciated II mos
Kindly.
We will nov proceed to business.
The Society elected the following officers
President-Gen. Charles Devens.
Vice -President-Col. James II. Plat.
Corresponding Secretary-Col. Robert l. on
Recording Secretary-Major Ivan Taylor.
Treasurer-Col. Samuel Truesdell