Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-06-01
SwANTON.
simple and Appropriate ExerCIsc>-Nd.
dress BY Rev. }. y. Topper.

Memorial Day was observed in n simple
and appropriate manner, as has been the Gus.
tom for many years past, The day was the
brightest and best Of the season. and many
from outside the town were present at the
services of respect and love for our fallen
soldiers.
Swan'on took an important part in the Re-
bellion. The first company to 90 from YER
mont was the ''Grcen Mountain Guards" of
Swanton, and almost b, fore the smoke of
Sumter's bombarlmcnt had died away this
company were mustered in and on their way
TO the scene of strife
silkeu banner pres cntcd to The Guards be.
fore they left for the war and carried by
them all through service, was carried in the
procession by Capt. Kennedy. Swantou fur
nishei 81 commissioned officers during the
war, several of them officers Of hieh rank.
long list OF privaics went out and II large
per cent were killed
Owing 10 the backward season the floral
offerings were not rs perfusc rs usual and
ever green wic tbs we're used instead.
A, : O'Clock the piece ssion formed on the
common and marched 10 the village Gene.
terry III the following order Captain Rcy.
nolds, marshal martial music, l.. d. Car
penter drum major citizens; Sargi. 5. G.
Green, assistant marshal veterans bearing
wrealhes Glee club; clergy and speaker (;
citizens
AT the cemetery The Gl-c club sang the
memorial song, Comrades, who fought to-
gethcr.' A feeling prayer was offered by
ltev. Mr. Roberts. After the graves were
decorated the procession reformed and march
ed to the park, where The soldiers m0nu-
ment was decorated.
After few remarks by Rev. J.. II. Bah
bitt the gice club sang GLORY uallclujah,"
the audience joining i'll the chorus.
Prayer was Offered by Rev. Church Tahcr
hymn by tie Gcc club.
An eloquent address followed by Rev. j =.
s. Upper OF Alburgh lie said ho would
not treat II as is common, but more like
campfire, aud with "reminiscences OF the
dark days OF the rebellion, and talk OF evcuts
that would be of interest practically to those
who were there. He referred to the quickly
passing year. The men who wore young
faces at the closc OF the war arc no longer
young. One after another they are drop
ping out OF the ranks and passing away
MIR. Topper paid glowing tribute TO
the soldiers OF the Green Mountain State. lie
said Vermont was the child of the Revolu.
ton, she was the first State on Garth to de.
clare independence and she wrote Freedom
and Unity and she has always been true.
nc recounteu Inc trials oil the old Vermont
Brigade, their first engagement, the bravery
and grim determination Of its soldiers and
the record they established as fighters. He
spoke In detail of Gen. McClelan's magniti-
cent army, his great caution and lost
opportunities He spoke of Hooker aud the
operations under him; of his defeat by Lee
he referred 10 serving under Grant and the
terrible battles the brigade engaged in; of
lighting by day and marching by night. He
spoke OF the death Of Gen. Scdgwick paying
glowing tribute to his memory as mau and
u soldier. He spoke Of Sherman and his
march TO the sea, and recounted rapidly the
important events of the war until Its close
and peace declared.
The address was intcrspcrscd with aimee.
dote and Incident and delivered with much
ernestness and eloQuence commanding the
closest attention.
vote OF thanks was then given the