Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-08-17
The Boys Who Wore the Blue
Again Reunited.
A Throng of Ten Thousand People
Visit Maranocook.
Especial to the kennebec Journal.
LAKE MARANoCooK, Aug.

Never did the worth of this organization seem
more apparent. Five thousand veterans of
the war, hundreds of them bearing honorable
scars, many with empty coat sleeve or
pants leg, others enfeebed with disease, all
being the result of the war, have been down
to Maranocook and joined in the semi-annual
encampment of the G. A. X. of Maine, to-
gether with a reunion of all ex-soldiers, sail
ors and their families. 1t has been a reunion
in every sense Of the word. From every
part of the State the comrades of the grand
| old army have come and it has been pleasant
and at the same time affecting to again and
again witness the cordial grasp of the hand
and hear the cheerful greeting as
comrade met comrade.
In the number of people present this re-
union has never been exceeded by any held
heretofore. Fully 10000 have been on the
grounds today and notwithstanding the large
size of the grove it could not have accommo-
dated more comfortably. There were fully
5000 persons present besides the ex- soldiers
themselves. A large number of ladies were
|
of the soldiers. Many children were among
the throng. Five special trains, besides the
regular trains, brought the largest part of
this multitude to the grove. The regular
train from Bangor brought 800 persons; Ban
gor special 1000; Jewetts from the Kenne-
beck Valley, 500; Lewiston special, lOOO
Pennington ard Portland special, 1900; Knox
Lincoln and Bath, 1900. Besides those
arriving by special trains large numbers
came by carriages from the surrounding
towns.
| Seth Williams Post of Augusta was fully
represented; also the Togus Post. The vet
Grams from the Home drove over in four
large excursion wagons drawn by fOur-horse
teams. They were accompanied by the
Home Band The Maine Veteran Associa-
ton of Massachusetts, one hundred and fifty
strong, with the Maplewood Band, arrived
on the Pennington train and were present
throughout the day
| The weather for the occasion was an that
could be asked. 1t was just cool enough for
comfort. There was none of the discomfort
that always arises on hot sultry day. A
light breeze blew from the south and the
grove appeared at its best.
| Owing to the delay in the arrival of the
trains no part of the exercises on tho pro-
gram took place until afternoon. At noon
there was great rush for the dining hall,
and the feeding capacity of the place was
taxed to its utmost. For more than two
hours the entrance to the dining room was
inner man. All were finally fed however.
although many did not take their dinner I'M
til three o'clock.
About one o'clock p. NJ. speaking COM
menced in the main pavilion. Among those
present were Dr. A. C. Hamlin and Hon.
Hannibal Hamin of Bangor and Hon. Joseph
.. Smith, Secretary Of State. Among the
ladies present was one who deserves special
notice. This was Mrs. Amy Bradbury of
Wilmington, N. c., formerly nurse in the
hospitals during the war, and well known to
many ex-sodiers. She had taken great pains
to attend the reunion and none present were
received more cordially than she, hundreds
of acts of kindness and charity having made
her dear to many a soldiers heart. The ad-
dresses were all brief. Department Com
mander E. NJ. Shaw, who was accompanied
by his staff, acted as president of the day.
He first introduced Hon. W. Z. Frye who
made one Of his characteristics speeches which
went right to the hearts of the
| EnlI
delivered an able address which was received
with applause. The next speaker was Pres
ident King of the Massachusetts, Veteran
Association. He made a genuine soldiers
speech, short but pithy. Senior Vice Com
mander Billings of the Department of Mass
achusetts, was introduced. Among
other things. he referred to what the Massa-
chusetts G. A. r. was doing for the ex-so-
der and advised every veteran of the war
to join the organization. Following Mr.
Billings, Commander Shaw arose and stated
that he had been connected with the G. A. R.
for over IA years. and although he was about
to leave the State, severing his connection
withlthe G. A. R. of Maine Jas Department
Commander, he should still remain a men,
Der of the organization; that the increase in
membership Of the G. A. r. for the past year
had been unprecedented. He advised all the
veterans to join the Army.
After Commander Shaw had closed Hon.
c. A. Boutelle came forward and made q
ringing and eloquent speech. Capt. Bou-
telle ending, loud cries arose for 'Connor,'
in response to which Conner appeared and
received three rousing cheers from those
present. He was glad that there was no faint
Of politics in this occasion, and spoke in
favor of pensions. This ended the speaking
and the meeting broke up with three cheers
from the audience.
About o'clock the races were called.
Only tvo of the rncos an tho c,o~-.rr ~o.h