Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-06-01

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citizen soldiers. They ranked among the
very best of the State,-the best of the ma
tion,-aud reflected honor upon their
homes, and the town that sent them
forth. 1t was hitting and appropriate that
the constituted authorities in obedience
to a vote of the people, II few years ago,
made provision for the erection of u sol
diers' monument The idea was a happy
one, and its execution, it is believed, is en-
tirely satisfactory. 1t now stands before
you, in II slightly and pleasant location
there may it stand forever 1t is a thing
of beauty To day it will tell its own story
to generations yet to come. 1t reminds
us of recent strife, and of friends rlldely
torn from our homes and our tiresides; it
will remind our children of patriot faith
ers and heroic deeds it will remind gen
erations to come of noble ancestors and
the cost of the preservation of the Union.
The ground on which 1t stands will be-
come classic, and the stranger who passes
will point his children to the lasting evil
dence of the gratitude and patriotism of
the people. Three days ago stood on the
shore of Lake Michigan, and saw the
stately monument erected to BrandOn's
distinguished son, and thought how had
Douglass lived, he would have sustained
the right arm of Lincoln during the terri
bic struggle, and would have been as
proud OF his native town, as his native
town is proud of her noble sons
Brandon has set good example to other
| towns. Let us hope that many will follow
| it, Vermont has the granite and marble
and skilled hands to eXecute,-the people
have the means, the patriotism, and the
! grateful remembrance of gallant Deeds
| and there is not a town in the State so
small but it has its living soldiers and its
heroic dead. This State is beautiful in
deed. especially to It's native born Its
| mountains and valleys, its hills and dales,
its brooks and rills, lovingly attract the
wanderer home, where
"Lauyh,po stream, lean mossv rocks from
mary woodland font,
And waving elms and grassy slopes give
beauty To Vermont"
If every town shall have suitable MON
ument dedicated to the memory of their
fallen heroes If will Increase The State
love and pride of it's absent sons add 10
the purity and happiness of the people.
and promote the education and welfare of
| veuprations vet unhorn
Nav be permitted today to indulge in
some personal reflections ? The occasion
seems appropriate and the spirit is willing.
The reading of the names inscribed on the
monument brings to mind flood of recol-
lections. would gladly speak of the vir-
tues and deeds of the fallen. The only
objection | see is that il involves the nee
essary use of the personal pronoun of the
first person too often, but trust you will
pardon an old soldier for what otherwise
might seem bad taste.
On the west side of the monument are
| inscribed the names of thirteen who We're
killed in battle and on the south side are
the names Oh SIN more VINO uled IRON
wounds received III battle. knew them all
ol nearly all possloly there are one or tWG
tNceptlohs' lheh on lhe south, east ana
horth sldes are the names OF "a more VINO
dled IN the service knew many OF them
hot al Ana mere let me tell you citlzells
ol branuoh, thau among lheu an there
are no dishonoraole names. Ihey sac
rlnced their lives Ior tnelr country. lneI
were men OF good impulses, nigh asplra
, TONS and noble deeds. Ihev went Out
from you intent on serving their country
la uiiy, anu tney ulu serve ~ ia,.h, W.
ynd -, ,ra; ~ hoas ti"r1e Ia oo,,
trv H.; ,ha;, sniritS ratnrnod ~ 20,
wbo ,I-,ue ,ho,r Won hava io,,;rr,,, i,'
s "mT ~ .me Il; d.,
) ~ 49,, -. 70 I,a,.'io. ; - -, u
In, ,,'ao @ WIS ".,I Im,i
daeli a,iionS you; my are YOU waits, any
usiiiaiiu soui aiu anu ooiiiioA' "oooiu'hs "
'i'Nii 81 Ni'' 80
Dld tlme permit Would say word o
eacn one killed IN Dautle mere was capt
. geo. u. Davenport. nrst knew mn
when a non-commlssloned officer, iron
which he worked his way to captaincy
Ever lalthIul 10 duty, ne earned ms pro
motion; ever, gentlemanly and soldierly
he commanded respect. well does nj:
name heitu the llst, Tor ne was BoOd Gu
zen, noble soldier ana Christian gentle
man.
The next is Capt Charles J. Ormsbee
after whom your post is named. | frs
knew him when the Fifth regiment enter
, ed The field His rudy countenance anC
, youthful appearance attracted attention
He appeared quite young but his ravel
hair and flowing beard Indicated mature
years. He was prompt and efficient, reso
, lutte and active His comrades and soldier
, loved him. He won promotion and dis
tinction and greater honors awaited him
| last saw him on the skrmish line OF
. that bloody day in the Wilderness May j
f 1864.
The navt is T.iaut Hiram RaiIev IT.
baInnusd tn ,he Sacnnd rs',imant e1d ~,
onnnr1nnitv to kno>y him in the frst ST. na,:
of the war was nor a. GOOD as If vail,
I bava boon ~ ba nod haion7,ad to nv r,,,;
+ mant Iia ,ynS az mnocsnnin,, W., ~ o1i
anldier Ia ,v,s tjIIsd ar r,oid U,rhor
' The battle of Cold Harhor Of 1874 con
I mancaJ lima and ln.tad 10 davs nurin,
averv dav Of hat tina yva ,yara mn,io II ,.a
d u''S - ''' 90 vt,iiS ~