Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-09-16
sIxTn m4nYLAND,s nsUNIox.
Survivors of the War Celebrating
Old Defenders Day.

ONNa hN0hI8nIAhF D1le
Special Correspondence Of fGazette and Journal
ELKToN, Sept. 11.-This was a great
day at North East, the occasion being the
fifth annual reunion of the survivors Of
the Sixth Maryland Regiment of Volun
teers. Many places of business and pri
vate residence were profusely decorated
with flags, among the more noticeable OF
the former being those of Benjamin
Thomas. Housekeeper and More and John
Moke. Tho visitors were the guests OF
Wingate Post, No. 8. The members of
the post formed line at Wingate Post
Hall shortly after 10 O'Clock, a m., and,
headed by Whittaker's Cornet Band by
North East, marched to the depot where
the majority of the visitors arrived on
trains due about 1890 o'clock. Upon
arrival they were escorted TO the hall.
DIR. T. A. Worrell, commander of Win
gate Post, called the meeting TO order and
called on the Rev e X. Miller, chaplain
OF the post, to lead in prayer. COM
mnnder Worrell then on behalf of the
post welcomed the visitors Tn the town.
IL was but fitting that they Rhonld have
accepted the invitation offered, as three
companies Of the regiment were Furnished
by Cecil, md they were heartily glad that
they bad accepted. 'tThis hall and every
thing about it," he said, "were in pos
session of the Sixth"
Col. William II, McKellip, president of
siis association, replied OH behalf Of the
sixth. He said they Ind right 10 expect
n welcome from Cecil county M il was
better represented in the regiment than
any other county OF the state. lie was
mindful Of the fact that while the state
did not present the regiment with even n
stand of colors, the ladies of Elkton and
other parts of Cecil had presented them
with flag which had been borne through
the entire struggle and which, though
tattered and torn was in North East
to-day. He expressed his aud the regi-
ment's thanks for the hearty manner in
which they had been welcomed.
The assembly call was given by Henry
Eppers, bugler Of the regiment, who blew
their last call Mt Appomattox.
DIR. Alexander Leeds, corresponding
secretary, then road the roll-call. Ninety.
four members answered. The minutes
OF the last meeting, which was held
at Mechanicstown ON the 18th of last
September, were read by acting assistant
Secretary John X. King of Company II.
Sergeant John e. Burlington, who was
the first mnn to cross the enemy's breast
works at Petersburg, and John e. Spence,
the first color bearer to cross them, we're
introduced. Tho historical committee
was called on to report but were not pre-
pared.
The election Of officers was declared in
order and Captain Albert Billingslee Of
Westminster, moved that committee of
three be appointed 10 nominate officers.
The motion was adopted and Captain Bill
lingslee, Col. Jos. O. Hill and John w.
Mccullough named. The committee re.
ported the following nominations and
they were elected by unanimous vote:
President, Jos. O. Hill; Vice. President,
Harry Coggins; Corresponding Secretary,
Alexander Leeds; Recording Secretary,
John III. Mitten Treasurer, A. +. Ritten-
house. II was announced that hereafter
it was proposed always to moet on Sep
tember 18th, or "Old Defenders Day."
As the veterans of the war of 1919 were
dying out it was but proper that the
veterans of the late war should take up
the date. Wilson Post Hall, Baltimore,
was named ns the next place of meeting.
Colonel Hill was introduced and told
several anecdotes, one about General Horn
being nicknamed "Short and Dirty"
The general was introduced and said he
had succeeded in Kidding himself of all
the rebel dirt.
Resolutions of thanks 10 Wingate Post,
TO Cecil papers for publishing notices of
the meeting, TO railroad companies for
offering reduced rates, &c, were passed.
Letters of regret at their inability !, IA IA
present were received from C,a.aIs
sheridan, Wright and Ricketts, Colonel
William ID. Ball, Lieutenant j. H Brewer,
Miss Mary Shellman and a nnnohor ~
post commanders. General Horn spoke
against the preparation of a history OF the
regiment, MS the government Is preparing
q history of all the regiments in the SER
vice during the war. The exercises were
then declared nt an end.
AT $50 fine banquet was served to
the Sixth Maryland men, Wingate Post
and numbers Of invited guests, including
score of ladies. ALI tho delicaoies of
the season, with ice cream, wines and
cigars, were there. Colonel MoKellip
was toastmaster. The first toast was
'"The Sixth Maryland Volunteer In.
fantry." General Horn responded by
reading we'll l-prepared article, giving n
history of the movements of the regiment
from tho time they marched to the depot
under Colonel George Il. Howard of
Cecil county until the close of the war.
The article was lengthy, and half hour
was occupied in its reading.
II was followed by cheers for General
Horn and Col. Hill. The toast "Grand
Army of the Republic" WAS responded TO
by Capt. John Il. King. 1.-THE Armies of
the Union" by DIR. Il. A. Worrall. The
toast ITO the Memory of the Dead" was
drank in silence. ''The Press" was re-
aponded to by George o. Gary. The toast
to the Loyal Women of the North" was
responded to by John W. Mccullough.
After again thanking those who made
their stay enjoyable the meeting broke up.
The wives of number of the Sixth
Maryland men were in attendance.