Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-11-04
THE GRAND ARMY CAMPFIRE.

The union campfire held last Friday even
ing, under the auspices of Post Sedgwick Of
this place, proved a very enjoyable affair
Some disappointment was caused by the small
attendance Of visiting members from the
Jamaica post; but the presence of 81 men,
bers from E. II. Stoughton post of Bellows
Falls, with drum corps of nine men, gave
inspiration to the occasion, and the arrange
ments were successfully carried out. The Wis
iting post was met at the depot, on the arrival
of the afternoon train, by Post Sedgwick in
uniform, accompanied by the military band,
and escorted through the principal streets of
the village. At seven O'Clock supper was
served in the lower town hall, which had been
handsomely decorated for the occasion. The
bill of fare, which embraced some of Baker
Dickinsons choicest productions, received
high compliment and appreciation, not only
In words, but in form more eloquent Fol-
lowing supper, the campfire" was held with
out adjournment. After patriotic air from
the band, Col. Geo. w. Hooker, department
commander, acting as master of ceremonies,
gave brief address of welcome to the visit
ing comrades, in which he took occasion to
pay high and hearty tribute to the gallant sol
der, Gen. E. H. Stoughton, in whose honor
the Bellows Falls post was named. In re-
Spouse to the colonePs welcome, Comrade g.
n. Russell, commander of Post Stoughton,
arose and briefly expressed his appreciation OF
the honor conferred and the Justice of Col.
Hooker's remarks. Lieut.. Col. j. j. Estey
vas then called upon. He remarked that he
had for years felt an interest in military mat
tiers, and regretted-never more than on this
occasion-that owing to his youth at the time,
he had not been permitted 10 take part in the
overthrow of the rebellion. Referring to the
tendency of the veteran soldiers to sneer at
the present militia of the state as ''mere play
soldiers, he alluded to the fact that at the
time of the breaking out Of the late war when
troops were called for from Vermont, the then
existing militia of the state formed nucleus
around which our troops were organized, and
that in the progress of the war most of those
who had been members of the old militia or
CARNATIONS were given responsible positions,
and the benefits of their superior knowledge
and training abundantly recognized. Mosto
the young men who compose the present state
militia were too young to bear arms at the
time of the late war, but they are of the same
material as were the men who put down the
rebellion and, should they be called upon
for active service, would, he was sure, give as
good an account of themselves as did the mil
ltia OF ante-bellum days. He desired, there
fore, that tho veteran soldiers of the state
would give encouragement to the militia IN
their laudable work, and speak a good word
for them whenever occasion offered. After
the band had again played, and few remarks
had been made by Comrade Taylor of the
Bellows Falls post the "war governor Of Yer
mont" ex-Gov. HolbrOok, was announced,
and on entering the hail was greeted with
three cheers by the veterans. The governor
warmly responded, abiding to the fact that
the boys who went to the war and survived
its perils are now the stay and support of the
country, Nothing, he said, afforded him