Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-09-14
THE EIGHTH VERMONT,
Its Seventh Reunion.

Few regiments anywhere, and certainly
none in Vermont, hold more successful re-
unions than the Eighth Vermont. 1t was
fortunate in Its officers ard fortunate in
retaining them for long periods of service.
No other regiment had but one colonel
for three years. Gen. Stephen Thomas went
out as colonel Of the Eighth: and three years
and one month from the date of his commits
sion he was mustered out as colonel Of the
| Eighth, only to center the service few days
| later, as Brgader General Of Volunteers.
The Eighth had but two colonies, Co.'s
Thomas and Mead, in all its term of service,
while other Vermont regiments had three,
| four, five and the Cavalry no less than SereR
colonies in succession. Not every regiment, by
any means, had such field aud staff officers
as Franklin, Barstow +. L. Smith, Dlllng-
ham and others who could be named.
The friendship among the officers OF this
regiment and the mutual respect aud
attachment existing between the officers
and men have been pecuiarliy strong
and lasting The long and ardunus
service of the regiment, much of it at
the far Sonth and widely detached frorr
other Vermont troops, gave its men vet
marked feeling of comradc,hip. TheE
are just the conditions which make
a regimental reunion association strong
and successful, and call ont good attend
anCe Of members at the reunions.
The seventh annual of the Eighth, held at
st. Johnsbury On the 9th inst, was no ex-
ception to the usual rule, as regarded every
feature Of a successful reunion. over Il hun
dred veterans were present. including Gen.
Thomas, Col. Mead, Lieut.. Col. franklin,
Major Barsow, Quartermasier Smi h, AS
sistant Surgeon Ross, Captains Carpenter,
Mcfarland, Hutchinson and Bisbee, Lielten-
, ants Morse, Day snd SclIeck, O. VI. Sergeant
w. Ii. Gilmore and others.
! The business meeting was called to order
at o'clock p. m, at the ST. Jonnsbury
house, by General Thomas, president, who,
on taking the chair, extended rdial lrle ct
ing TO his old comrades. 80
The following officers were unanim0is!y
elected
, Preadent-Gen. Stephen Thomas
Vice. PreSdehts-Ca NJ. Mcfarland,
Lieutenant P. j. NOyts.
SECRETARY and TIe ssdrer-Dr. c. VI. Fer
; rim.
, Executive Committee w. II. Gilmore, l..
NJ. Hutchinson, w. Ii. Sil,bce.
After brief remarks by Col. Mead, Gov.
Barstow, Col Herbert Z. Hill Of Boston,
, who was a member of the Elgh'h and others
presentation of g ld-heaied cane to Gen.
Thomas from the officers AID men of the
Eighth, took place. The present ,tiOu was
: made in fitting terms by Captain +, L. Smith.
, Gen. Thomas responded with feeling. The
society then took a recess.
The supper.
; At ten o'clock. the dining hall of the ST.
Johnsbury House was filed with the MEM
bers Of the Eighth and invited guests, the
r latter comprising a number Of prominent
State officials and Vermonteis. After the
material feast was over Gen. Thomas intro
duced Capt. George n. Carpenter, now of
1 Boston, who read poem entitled "The
I Veterans Dream" 1t was description, in
fitting phrase and rhyme, of various scenes
in the history of the r,gment,-the march
ing in the snow at Braltleboro the voyage,
, ship Island, New Orleans, Bislaud, Port
, Hudson, Winchester and Cedar Creee. 1t
, was received with prolonged applause, Toast.
master +. f. Smith then offered the regular
toasts, as follows:
q /. our Be,ored Commonwealth, -,respond-
ed to by eY. Gov. Roswell Farnlam.
.. our Sister Regiments responded 10 by
Surgeon George Nichols, and ex-Gov. Red
field Proctor.
8. The EIglM Vermont - Let History
trutAtully record lis Scrrice and zee are sat
isfcd, responded to by Gen. Thomas.
4. our Veteran Coloael-frSt in trGr. first
in peace, and first in The hearts ellis men
: re, pended to by Col. Mead who culogized
Col Thomas's patriotism, bravery honesty
c and good influence ouer his .men in earnest
and truthful words. All the speeches were
! apt and interesting and they were heart.
j ily applaudcd. They were inlerspersed
. with the amusing story of the Louisiana
goose, told by Comrade Perrigo. and the
song The Sword Of Bunker Hill" finely
sung by Col. Franklin. The exercises which
lasted till midnight closed with the singing
of John Brown" and the veterans separated
in good order and in the best of feeling,