Morning journal and courier., 1881-08-29
Twentieth c. V. Reunion.

it's Troy again"
 Twentieth c. V. Reunion.
 Gala Day at irmingham-Over Five
 Hundred People Provided with Dinner
 -Addresses by Prominent Gentlemen.
 The annual reunion of the Twentieth regi- ment Connecticut Volunteers took place at Birmingham on Saturday, and was attended by about one hundred and fifty members of the gallant old regiment. Many of the vet erans were accompanied by their wives and children, which tended to add interest to the occasion Most of the members went over on the 9:5O train from this city, and on their arrival at Birmingham were received by the local committee and headed by Cargill's band they proceeded to Nathan's Hall where the
 business meeting was held. The meeting was called to order at II o'clock by the presi-
 dent of the association, Colonel P. B. Buck ingham, of this city. The proceedings of the last annual meeting were read by Charles E.
 Fowler, the secretary. The election of of icers which followed resulted in the
 unanimous choice of Colonel F. B. Buckingham, of New Haven. president !; first vice president, Captain Woodruff, South ington; second vice president, Captain w..
 W. Smith, Seymour; and Charles E. Fowler, of New Haven, secretary. All the old off, cers were reelected for companies. New Britain was selected as the place for the 17th annual reunion on the last Thursday of August, 's2. The general committee of ar engagements are Messrs. Lithem, Smith and Penfeld, all of New Britain, with power to add to their number.
 The following are the deaths reported since
 last meeting Samuel Willman, G. w. Fow-
 Ter and Charles Blakeslee, Meriden; Patrick
 Kearns, Middletown; Joseph Stock1y, Port land William l.. Spencer, New Haven ,; Robert Byington, Plainville, and James Me Lane, Thompsonville. At 12:30 the veterans accompanied by their families, and preceded dinner was served under large tent. All veteran soldiers, whether members of the Twentieth or other regiments, were invited to the dinner, which was grand feast. The good citizens, besides subscribing over $500, also sent large quantities of provisions, and the good ladies turned out in force to wait upon the veterans at the tables. The tables presented a very fine appearance, being
 handsomely decorated with boquets of beau tiful flowers. Five hundred and forty per- sons were provided with dinner, and it seemed as though there was sufficient quantity left to feed as many more. After all were seated Colonel W. B. Wooster called
 the assemblage to order and introduced Rev Fl. sE. Burns, of the Methodist church, who invoked the divine blessing. Then fol lowed the dinner, which was heartily enjoyed
 by the brave boys of the war and their many friends.
 After dinner Colonel Wooster introduced Dr. Ambrose Beardsley, who delivered the address of welcome, in substance as follows: Veterans of Twentieth regiment: As the or gan of grateful sentiments take pleasure in welcoming you to this entertainment. greet you in behalf of the ladies of Derby and Shelton, who have so well catered to your wants. The Twentieth regiment was composed of the best stock in the State, and when they went to the war many poor sin ner prayed that you might at the close of the war return to your home and friends The speaker referred to the march of the Twen- tieth through it's several scenes of battle, and said: Colonel Ross, now dead, was wounded
 
 vile, and the brave Colonel Wooster took command Many from this town were killed and wounded in that battle. and although the regiment never surrendered, 1t was obliged once to succumb as prisoners to superior force. At Gettysburg they ex- hibited their patriotism and valor There they were joined to the Army of the Cumber- land and Colonel Wooster was promoted, while Colonel Buckingham was appointed to the command. The speaker then rehearsed the battles through which the regiment passed, fourteen in number, and said that in the march of Sherman to the sea they par ticipated in the glorious conclusion of there bellion. They met foe worthy of their steel, yet they were victorious. As members of this and all other regiments it is your duty to protect this Union in all of it's adversities So long as you have the plural number so long keep alive these reunions. You are passing away and soon will officer and private go down with the setting sun. When God shall call you to rest there will be enrolled upon the banners of our country 8 nation s gratitude.
 Colonel P. B. Buckingham was next intro duced and replied to the welcome of Dr.
 Beardsley. He returned thanks for the kind welcome by the citizens of Derby and Shel- ton, and he assured them that the members of the. regiment appreciated this entertain ment. Comrades, said he, this is our six teenth annual reunion and let us thank God that we are permitted to meet again to-day and exchange words of cheer and welcome. Who is there among you all that is not i'm debted to some companion, for the cour- age you exhibited on the field of battle while facing the glittering steel? Who was it that bore you from the battlefield when you were wounded, nursed you in the hospi- tal and through whose aid perhaps you are permitted to reunite to-day2 The past seems like dream. yet we cannot forget those days. The tears and promises, the last goodbye. An memory carries me back to those scenes. and while think with pleasure of the patriotism of those days, yet cannot but feel sad over the memory of those who to-day sleep in soldiers graves. After the recitation of an appropriate poem the Colo nel referred to the closing scenes of the war and the final muster of the regiment, paying just tribute to it's service during the war and to the service of other brave regiments who had so nobly defended the nations hon. or. History does not record a more worthy example of bravery than that of the volun- teer army of the North. To have been sol dier in those days was grander than to have been king In other days What has been the gain? Has it been commensurate with the loss? /? 1 think you will agree with me that it has. Four millions of men have had their shackles stricken from their limbs and have no more occasion to lift their eyes to
 heaven and call upon God for vengeance Slavery IS dead, and all thank God that it is so It has been decided once for all that this is confederacy of States that cannot be disrupted. The North has be- come more tolerant and the South more self reliant and patriotic. We can now begin to appreciate the beneficial results of the war; Gould we only look ahead for half century we should see one of the grandest nations on earth. Let us then each year keep green the memory of the deeds of the soldiers of the republic. Let us not forget that there are
 those to-day who rejoice with us in tears
 Their husbands and sons have died on the
 field of battle; let us cherish their memory
 and pray that the God of the widow and ia therless will care for them in their deepest
 sorrow.
 On the conclusion of Colonel Buckine- hams very able address the band played a fine selection.
 Comrade John W. Storrs, Esq, of BirminR- ham, then read poem written for the occa- sion, which was fine effort. and it was well received.
 Short addresses followed by Revs. k B, Thrau, of Derby, and O. Witherspoon, of St. James, church, Birmingham.
 Then followed most fervent prayer for President Garfield, by Rev. 0. F. Bradley, of the Congregational church.
 Just before singing the closing hymn to kI,a &-ro of Eha foIIoW;nrv +aIo-