Morning journal and courier., 1880-08-26
Soldiers Reunion.

Gala Day in Orange-The Most NOta-
 ble Reunion of the Fifteenfh c. v., the
 New Haven County ReEiment-Orange
 Beats Her Record for Lfberalify and
 Hospitality - -Interesting Episodes -
 Flags, Banners, MottOes, Flowers.
 The old town of Orange added another to it's long list of noble deeds in the splendid reception rendered the ex-members of the Fifteenth Connecticut volunteers at their reanion there yesterday. It was royal tribute paid by loyal hearts, and truly ap- preciated by the recipients.
 The regiment to the number of about hundred assembled on the Green, Colonel Upham in command, and headed by the An sonia band, which had discoursed lively music while the vets were assembling marched to the Meadow street depot, taking the 10 o'clock Derby train for Orange. With the women and children there was train load of about 400. At the depot about twenty more veterans, who had come on the trains, joined in, making about 120 in all. A ''chiel taking notes" on the Green reported the fol- lowing officers ''present and accounted for": Colonel Charles L. Upham, Captains White, Davis, Munson, Burgess and Waterman and Lieutenants Day, Linsley, Johnson, Burritt and others By the kindness of Superintend- ent Quintard merely nominal rate of fare was agreed upon, with the privilege of being brought back by special thrown in. The short run over was made merry by hand shakings and those thousand hurried ques- tions and answers current among old con- rades separated from each other since their 1ao4 o1- R1a depot platform and in the streets when the train arrived. AS comprehensively de- scribed by G. W. Stoddard, ''the whole town was out" A mounted escort led the way to the village green at the entrance to which an immense evergreen arch spanned the street, on which was inscribed Welcome !' It did not really need this assuring word to thus convince the boys, for all "felt it in the air." and perfectly realized it, too, when fair, soft fingers suddenly seized every veteran by the coat collar and pinned a natty little bouquet oni it. About twenty more comrades, who had come from Derby and down the Naugatuck, increased the number of vets to about 150. A meeting of the regiment was shortly after called in the Congregational church, Colonel Upham pre- siding, at which it was voted to hold the next reunion at High Rock Grove, August 25, 1881. To carry this out 8 committee con- sisting of H. c. Baldwin, Naugatuck; George Stoddard, New Haven; William B. Johnson, Seymour; Luther M. Baldwin, Naugatuck, and Peter E. Bowman, New Haven, was chosen. The officers for 1S79l8O were re- elected for the ensuing year, viz President, Colonel Charles l.. Upham, of Meriden; vice president, Colonel Samuel Tolles, New Ha- ven; secretary and treasurer, Adjutant Philip Rand, of Meriden. The only death reported was that of Lieutenant Roderiquez, of this city.
 Meanwhile the commissary and culinary department WAS in active operation, and pend ing the full preparations for the dinner the veterans sought the shade of the huge maple trees, listened to the band, firted with the girls, joked each other, fought their battles OCT again." wiped their perspiring brows and said Its hot!'' and it certainly was.
 The dinner was marvel to behold. It would seem as if the whole surrounding coun- try must have been laid under tribute to pro- duce such quantity and quality, and yet such was the willingness and unanimity of the peo- pie that no stress was laid on any one and the offerings were scarcely felt The tables were laid in two large tents placed end to end at the entrance to the Town Hall which room also had four more long tables com pletely filing up the floor surface. Some three hundred and twenty plates were laid and food enough prepared for at least eight hundred l,IIk II. LI served by the choicest lady walters. It was truly royal spread. During this meal heavy thunder storm swept over the village,- swaying the tents considerably and causing deal of amusement at the tables there. Many of the veterans brought their wives and fam flies along with them and when the meal was over adjourned into the High School room an hour of reminiscence At two o'clock public services were called in the Congrega- tional church, which was crowded to it's ut most capacity. Rev. E. E. Rogers, chair man of the committee of arrangements, pre- sided. The church was handsomely trimmed with festoons of evergreens, draped with flags and otherwise ornamented with banners and notices. Back of the pulpit was the in scription.
 founded it-four years war maintained it May knowledge and religion perpetuate it.
 On either side of the desk were the State coat of arms and notices. Upon one gal lery front read the words: 'sHonor the de- lenders of our country;'' opposite to it was the sentiment: t'We greet the iving-mourn the dead!" High up on the wall was the in- scription:
 The Veterans all honor to the men who prized the nations life above their own,"
 while opposite to it was it's companion motto:
 The Veterans May our children s children keep ever fresh the memory of their glorious deeds"
 Back of the choir gallery was another motto as well as over the door of the vesti- bule and on the choir gallery front. Flowers in profusion were gathered about the desk and on the speakers platform, and all the adornments were in good taste and appro- priate.
 The exercises were opened by music from the band, after which Rev. Mir. Leete, for mer pastor, invoked blessing on the audi ence It was truly heartfelt and loyal prayer. Mir. Charles F. Smith, selectman, made brief stirring address of welcome, in which he so cleverly managed to introduce the soldier element in politics in the coming 
 The choir under the lead of Mir. Walker then sang SDear Native Land" to the tune of "John Brown" the whole audience joining with will in the chorus. Then followed complete history of the regiment from it's formation to muster out, compiled from private diary kept by the Rev. E. E. Rogers and secreted by him when with the rest of the regiment he was taken prisoner. This was listened to with intense interest and vouched for by hearty applause from time to time. It was the only complete and perfect journal of detail ever read at any of the regiments reunions. At it's close the choir sang ''Shan we meet beyond the river,' which was responded to by the band playing Tramp, tramp" etc.
 The chairman then introduced Mir. c. A. Baldwin, of New Haven, an ex-member of the 27th c. ", who made a ringing of-hand speech, the peer of which, we venture to say, but few reunions can produce He was ap- plauded long and heartily, and is entitled to the thanks and commendation of his com rades
 Beautiful Flag was then sung by the choir and letter read by the chairman from