Connecticut western news., 1884-09-24
A BEAUTIFUL FLAG, SET OF GUID0NS,
 PRESENTED TO DaVId s. CoWl0s Post, G. A. R.
CAMP FIRE AND BEAN BAKE.
PRESENTED TO

CAMP FIRE AND BEAN BAKE. Wednesday evening, September 17, Miss Catherine R. Cowles, sister of the lamented Colonel David s. Cowles, pre- sented an elegant flag and set of guld- ons to David s. Cowles post, No 60, G. A. R.
 The presentation took place at the Town hall at North Canaan. The occa- sion was memorable one and the ex- ercises were peculiarly appropriate. The hall was crowded, many being un- able to obtain seats.
 Department Commander William Berry and his official staff, representa- tives from various G. A. R. posts in the state, and number of leading men and ex-soldiers from out of town were present.
 D. s. Cowles post assembled at their hall in the Warner house at 6:30 P. M., and from there marched to the Town hall entering the room, preceded by the department officers.
 THE EXERCISES.
 Department Chaplain Atwood called the assembly to order, and mentioned the posts and distinguished persons who had been invited to attend. He loosely remarked: "We did not invite Generals Grant or Sherman,-we feared they would accept the invitation" He then read letters of regret from Wad- hams post of Waterbury, Capt Horne oi Winsted, and others who were unable to be present. He also read general order from Dept Commander Wm Der. ry of the G. A. R., the substance o1 which was, politics are not to be men tioned or discussed at post meetings, fol tho G. A. R. is not a political organ ization.
 Post Commander Van Deusen in { brief but cordial address, welcomed tn, visiting department officers, the com rades of neighboring posts, the invited guests and the citizens of Canaan.
 The Canaan glee club sang: "We ar tenting tonight on the old cam] ground"
 Department Chaplain Atwood offere, a fervent and importunate prayer.
 James H. Drake sang solo, the gle club joining in this chorus: " We ar the boys, the gay old boys, who march ed in sixty-one we'll ne'er forget ol times my boys, when you and I wer young"
 Rev Elisha Whittlesey, in behalf c Miss 0. R. Cowles, made the presents tion address, stopping about midway ( the address and presenting the flag an guidons, which were received by ChaI lain Eddy in behalf of the post, an Color Bearer Kane was called to tn stage and displayed them, giving every one present. an opportunity to behol these handsome and costly gifts.
 At the conclusion of Rev Whittlesey address, Chaplain Eddy responded making the speech of acceptance on bt half of the post. The presentation at dress and speech of acceptance wei each very appropriate for the occasio and were grand and patriotic produ tions. Both are in manuscript and VI hope we may soon be permitted to put fish them, for to-day we have neith' space nor type sufficient to publis them.-Ed.
 At the conclusion of Rev Dr Eddy speech, three cheers were given for u Cowles and Whittlesey families ar three cheers for the flag. Then came speech that was not on the program Post Commander Van Deusen's patriot spirit was fully aroused, and springi1 to his feet he delivered rousing speec he was heartily applauded and the gl club struck up the ''Star Spangled Ba ner, the audience joining with the and singing with great fervor.
 DEPARTMENT COMMANDER WILLIAM BER was then introduced and made 8 gral speech, a brief outline of which is follows: :" have come here for just o purpose and that is to be present wi you on the occasion of this flag presel ation. am glad for another reasc your loved one. Col Cowles, was I comrade and touched shoulder to sho1 der with me at Port Hudson" Af describing the magnolia grove at P' Hudson and the position of differe regiments, he said: Flags mean son thing. A white flag means truce,-w to the man who fires when that flag at mast head. The red flag means ( fiance. A yellow flag means quars tine. A black flag means no quar- taken or given. The stars and stril mean to soldier, home and count It means equal rights to protect yc industries; equal rights for rich a poor the world over. When entering battle the color bearer at the head of regiment seemed to be 15 feet high, a the flag was wonderfully stimulating a invigorating." He referred very tend ly to the battle flags in the capitol Hartford-told what good friends Johnnies and Tanks were when the f of truce was up they would tra tobacker and hardtack and in { minutes after the truce was ended wor fight like heroes. He described { thunder storm at Port Hudson wh the Union troops were silently adval ing on the forts and when the lightni revealed their position the rebels opt ed fire of grape and canister whi no army could stand up under. In