Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-08-27
The Annual Reunion Of the First Maine
Heavy Artillery Association.

The day was all that could be desired, the
members were present to the number of about
two hundred, the arrangements were SEEM
ingly perfect, and everything passed OF to the
evident satisfaction of all concerned. Take il
all in all II was day long to be remembered.
The veterans present were fine looking men.
Some had lost limb: many bore upon their
persons the scars of wounds inflicted by rebel
missiles Of war; some few had grown old; but
the comparatively youthful appearance of the
most OF them was very remarkable. Twenty.
three years ago many Of these veterans must
have been mere boys.
Many came on the late morning train from
Bangor, and were met at the station by those
who had previously arrived, together with an
escort from VIM. ii. ii. Rice Post OF this city.
Thence all marched 10 Grand Army Hall,
where a meeting for the transaction OF bust
ness at once held.
The meeting was called to order BY Lieut..
jas. A. Dole. Of Bangor, President OF the
Association, who read an address repleie with
touching illusions and wise suggestions The
Secretary. Capt. Henry +. Sellers Of Bangor,
read the records Of the last meeting. A COM
mittee consisting Of Capt. Geo. X. Fernald Of
Wilton. A. c. Sawyer OF Bangor. Capt. b. T.
Atherton Of Mt. Desert, Sergt. Geo. H. Coffin
OF Harrington. and Morris Downey of Els
worth was appointed TO nominate officers for
the ensuing year.
During the retirement of the committee,
Gen. Chas. Hamlin OF Bangor made brief
but strong plea for measures to Ice taken look
ing TO the preservation of personal remins-
cences OF the member. of the regiment. He
was followed by Col. T.. A. smith OF the
Boston Journal who Endorsed the remarks OF
Gen Hamlin. and favored rcgimental history
made up OF such "reminiscences lie wished
10 make 1t history Of every man In the regi-
ment.
The committee to nominate officers submit
ted the following list For President. Col. 4.
4. Smith OF Boston; Vice Presidents. W. Il.
Campbell OF Ellsworth. and q. Z. smith II
Harrington; Secretary, \. C. sawyer Of Ban
eor; Treasurer. Capt. +. \. Cummings OF
Bangor; Executive Committee. Capt. II. II.
shaw. Portland. Lieut.. !. A. Dole. Bangor,
Capt. Il. T. Atherion. Mt. Desert, Sergt. Geo.
II. Coffin. Harrington, and Major Harrison g.
smith OF Columbia Falls. The report OF the
committee accepted and the nominees
were INSIDE officers for the coming year.
At 80 O'Clock the Association. escorted hy
WIN. II. II. Ric. Post. under the command Of
Commander J. T.. Psrsou, and led BY the En-
erald Band Of thi, city. took up the line Of
march to Hancock Hall. The procession was
under the command Of Col. John +. Whiicomb
81 ;li. city A. marshal. ON entering the High
>cboo room where dinner was served each
yi-itor wa, presented 18th small bouquet 10y
the ladic-. pf the dinner hich was furnish
81 hy Geo. Could II the Hancock House a ne
port In the Bangor IIhjg Of the 22nd say
The members OF the Association 81 down 10
one Of the finest. II not the finest hanquct-
which il..s had ever cnjoyc,i Of > reunion.
Rrv, pr. T'un'y u Ellsworth pronounced the
hlr>-inG, Ample lu.iicr Ma. done to the
tempting sisud- ~ ever man. Tbs hauquet
VA furnished by the citizen, ~ Ellsworth
who .G,~,r,r th, ufmo~, credit for their pains
\ public meeting wa held at iIanrock Hall.
In the afternoon over which President Dole
presided. ~ no ms'lc tho opening a,i,iry-, In q
most touching and feeling manner. liz spoke
- The inject 81 the meeting and ihe .st-fac-
mon 1t gave the m,mtcr- Of the Association 10
t>N'H'"" 'NS''H''- Nv va i"l''''' - lh"H
or R'dnan. who In eloquent words gave the
Association most cor'lial welcome to Eli--
worth.
senator HzIc laid No 81; Of Kindness
which the ei'izen- Of Ellsworth can b'siow on
The members OF this Association tan ever
measure Il. gratitude I" the Old 1T Maine
Heavy Artillery for IT. efficiency and sacrifice
in the War. He spoke In most touching " Ords
IF The time when large squad Of Ellsworth
men l'ft home 10 enroll themselves in this reg
iment. a. day long 10 be remembered by
many citizen. Of our city who then bade a'tieu
and some Of them forrFer-to near and dear
friend.
Col H. A smith spoke Of the grand welcome
the Association had received from Ellsworth
citizens. He knew IT would Dr. 20 sli the time
Il wa just Ike such men As John Hopkins.
Mart. Hall and Albert Hopkins. He fell great
~ indebted 10 Ellsworth. All the honor he
hat Won in the war. he had won through Els
worth and Hancock county people. He alluded
humorou-ly but feeliusly TO Jerry Harrington
whom he saw in the audience and related some
anecdotes which were characteristic Of him in
the service. God bless hi old heart, ," aid he.
/ lhlHh OF MIN every lAt IN llt year. lie
also told Of the time when Charle. Jclli-on ~
ing seriously wounded inquired OF him how
the battle VIZ going. Referring to the Con
are,,ional aci- Of senator Hale and Represent
atise Millikeu he said II al had voted with
them on the pension bill il would have been
greatly 10 the advantag, Of soldier. and -ol-
der Widow
The next speaker wa. the Rev. DR.. Tenney
no addressed the audience A. fellow-citizcn.
and felI1lr-retsrans He told In a very clear
and able manner how those who staid At home
helped to fgh, the battles OF the country.
Gen Chs. Harnlin Of Bangor followed. who
said he was rrou,i Of his 1neml,r.hju In the
1t Maine Heavy ARTILLERY. He spok, feeling.
~ Of the good work il had done.
J. C. Chilcott said the surviving members Of
the old First Maine Heavy Artillery have come
here to-day to shake the hand. Of old comrades
and indulge in those sacred "reminiscences
which mean 80 much TO them. Their record
/. magnificent one The event. OF which
they will talk to-day are indeed events which
tried their souls. for they tried 10 the utmost
every power and capacity Of their nature
They have a right TO remember them, a right
to talk Of them. II i their duty and privilege
to meet together at stated times and live over