Connecticut western news., 1880-09-15

Sept. 15, 1880. Comrades of the 18th c. V. & 2d 0. V. H. A: A postal card from Secretary Kilbourn is at hand, reminding us of the annual reunion ot our regiment, and nothing would give us greater pleasure than to meet with you and the good people of North Canaan who like other sister towns, comprising glorious Old Litchfeld County, have always been ready to give us a cordial welcome. Eighteen years have passed away since we camped at Camp Dutton. Col. Fenn, then an eighteen year old boy, has doubled his age and Captain Bissell has reached his seventieth year. Sad thoughts of loved comrades, who marched to the front never to return, but whose memory will always be cherished and held in grateful remembrance, crowd upon us. We hope these regiments will be kept up as long as member of the regiment survives. When we came west our intention was to take homestead and demonstrate to the na- tives "What we know about farming" but in our enthusiasm, we pushed on just one hun dred miles beyond the rain belt, and haven't demonstrated worth cent" Still we in tend to keep filing" ''till the bottom falls out" or until the ''clouds drop fatness and the thirsty valleys laugh and sing" Good bye boys, and good time to you
 Atfectionately yours, ELI SHERRY.  At the close of each letter, three cheers were given for the writer. A committee was ap- pointed to present the names of candidates to be elected officers for the ensuing year. The names were presented and unanimously elect ed by exclamation, as follows: President Lieut. o. R. Fyler; Vice president, Lieut. D. E. Marsh; Secretary, D. c. Klbourn 1; Treasurer, Sergeant E. W. Hnsdale; Execu. tive Committee, Sergeant Marcus D. Smith, Sergeant Geo. c. Bradley, William Cothren, James H. Linsley; historians as before. Sec retary Kilbourn's report vas read, which an- nounced that three members of the regiment had died during the past year, ono of whom was Captain Williams, who died in Illinois. About 400 members registered last year, when the regiment met in Hartford with all the other Connecticut regiments, to celebrate the removal of the battle flags to the new capitol. After the secretarys report, collection was taken to defray expenses for badges, etc. and vote of thanks was extended the citizens of Canaan and North Canaan, and three rous- ing cheers given for the ladies of these towns. The business finished, Hove feast, or fun meeting" as Secretary Kilbourn called it, was held, according to custom. The first speaker called on was Rev. E. Fl. Roys, filer il Company F, who spoke of the love he had fol any Union soldier, more especially for a sol dierr.in his own regiment and company; cited amusing "reminiscences of the war; dwelt up on the vicissitudes of soldier life, etc. He at tended the Sheffield reunion the week before and felt proud, while he thought of his owr regiment and their reunion to-day. Told [ story of two patriotic Irish soldiers, botl proud of their regiment, who made toasts tc it. The first, with that inherent Irish fervor said "Our glorious ovid rigimint the lash on the field, and the f1rsht off the fieldi' The other Irishman thought that didn't soun, right, and to correct his comrade, gave hi toast: "Our glorious ovid rigimlntl sur passed by all; aqual to noneP Taking th' Irishmen for what they meant, the speake offered the same toast to-day.
 Secretary Kilbourn was then called on for speech, but he excused himself, saying D. had lots that he would like to say, but wa too hoarse to talk, and besides, there wer, those present who were good speakers as wei as good fighters and eaters. Other speaker were called on, and the time flew rapidly by with witty talk and general jollifcatiou Among the speakers called for were A. F Briggs, A. T. Roraoack, Chas. H. Briggs, P. Stevens and others. It was really a re freshing sight to see these veterans "carr on' at this ''fun meeting" Old-time nick names were applied to one another, and ol and evidently popular expressions, such a "Who stole the beans ?" elicited the hearties laughter, and seemed to awaken every mem ory of the days when they "stood up to b shot at for 50 cents day." One reminiscenc brought to mind a similar one, and it was re told perhaps for the hundredth time, and re ceived with interest as intense, and applaus as hearty as when first told. An old darke in the rear of the hall attracted considerabl attention, more by the strength of his lung than the sentiment of his harangue, whicl was an indiscriminate mixture of patriotism politics and religion, emphasized with dan gerous fourishes of cotton umbrella.
 The universal verdict was, that this reun ion, despite the unpropitious weather, wal one of the most enjoyable the regiment ha ever had, and will be long remembered a such. Too much credit cannot be given Mir E. s. Roberts, who has been indefatigable il his endeavors to make the affair successful and his only reward is the consciousness tha he has done so. The other committees hav also fulfilled their parts well, and the ladie have fully sustained the reputation which the, have always enjoyed, for being equal to any occasion requiring good taste, punctualty anc I-and-an appetizing collation..
 Following are the names of veterans of 2, Connecticut and members of other regiments present:
 Col. Jeffrey Skinner, Capt. H. &. McKin ney, Lieuts. Granger, Cooper, Bates, Catlil and Klbourn.
 Company A-C. P. Wedge, Nelson Bar ker, Wm. Johnson, o. W. Healey, Chas Merriman, John Ravens
 1 OonPahy D-Ollas. Ddll, h. IL. Ayres, w silvernail, Jas. Gibbons Joel snider, J. A Decker
 Company C-F. M Thurston, Philo Cleve land, A. E. Workman, G. O. Thompson. Company D-A. F. Alfred, D. Bradley Emory Taylor.
 Company E-Wm. Warner, H. J. Key holds, A Bunnell, s. w. Sage, R. A. Cutler G. V. Gibbs. David Miller, B. B. Thayer. R Guigen, John Christiania, S. H. Cowles, c. H Pine, W. B. White, Geo White, J. N. Dilley W. w. Weaver, Isaac R. Knapp.
 Company F-Wm. Allen, A. P. Briggs, E. s. Roberts, E. H. Royce, Wm German, Jas Keith, A. B. St. John, Warren Afford, w. Scoville, Bennett Hines, John Rodemeyer Sherman Messenger. H. Merrills, James Hyde, c. Burr, John Carroll.
 Company G-Chas. I Fenn, Orville Slover Nelson T. Jennings G. V Capron, M. Gallag