Morning journal and courier., 1886-05-08
AaUARrER OF A CENTURY.


 The Twenty-hrh Anniversary Next Monday of the Departure of the Sec-
 ond Regiment, Connections V0lun-
 teers, for the War-An Interesting
 Day fn New HaVen-A Slight Conn
 memorat1ve Occasion.
 Hundreds in this city will recall wildly and with deep personal interest in many cases the memorable days and intense feeling in this city of the "war times" and those especially notable days when New Haven, sharing in the great wave of patriotic feeling sweeping over the country, was preparing to contribute it's share of brave men to the de- fense of the Union. The following com munication on this subject possesses much local interest upon the subject, especially in view of the notable and brilliant commemo- rative occasions which have recently taken place in Massachusetts and other States, ex- citing wide and deep interest in their respec- tive sections:
 TwENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY.
 Next Monday, May 10th, 1861, the Second regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, left this city for the capital of the nation, and those who witnessed the outpouring of the people to bid the regiment goodbye, under it's gallant colonel, (now General Alfred H.
  Hundreds of New Haveners will remember the breaking camp at Brewster Park and march to the old Green, the presentation of colors by the Governor, and the march down Chapel and State streets to the end of Long wharf, where the steamship Cahawba lay in waiting to receive the regiment. The many exciting and affecting scenes while awaiting the departure of the troops, and parting of near and dear friends, all vividly remind the writer, a participant of that eventful day, that the twenty fifth anniversary is near at hand. now write to say to my old surviving com rades of Co. "C," Second c. ", to meet me in the New Haven Grays' association rooms, Glebe building, next Monday at 3 p. m., for the purpose of visiting, in 8 quiet and unos- tentatious manner, the graves of our old de- parted comrades in arms, who now sleep in wonder grave yards, and there gently let fall upon their mounds rose bud of this beau tiful spring. Surely we can never forget such of old deceased comrades as Captain Osborn, Lieutenant Northrop, Sergeant San ger, Sergeant Merwin, Corporal CornVel, and Privates Blair, Booth, Burgess, Chap cock, Hunt, Mccoy, Parks, Peck, Peters, Phelps, Pierpont, Roderiques, Sharp, Ship man, Charles Smith, Henry Smith, Sweet land, Shepard, Treadway and others.
 Orderly A. c. H. From the history of the New Haven Grays IS LaK0n the 1OLOW1nR:
 Rebels soon menaced Washington, and the government called for troops. In an swer to the call the Grays volunteered as 8 body to assist in the defense of the national capital for period of three months. The meeting held to consider the call of the Pres ident will never be forgotten by the mem bers who were present. The services tender ed were gratefully accepted, and the com pany became part of the Second Connecti- cut Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Terry. The Grays were one of the first, if not the first company in Connecticut, which volunteered in defense of the country. It was a noble example, and kindled still more the flame of patriotism in our State. Cap tain E. Walter Osborn, who was captain of the Grays from 1859 to 1862, fully realized the necessity of thorough preparation for the arduous duties soon to devolve upon the company. Every night found him busily engaged at the armory in Lyon building, drilling the company in the presence of numerous as- semblage. Captain Osborn was a model officer, prompt, quick of motion, unerring in orders, of military figure, and favorite with all. Previous to the departure of the Grays for camp they were presented with 8 beautiful flag, gift from the ladies of New Haven, the presentation being made by Rev. Mir. Eustis at Union hall.
 On the same evening of the presentation Of the flag to the Grays an enthusiastic and patriotic Union meeting was held at Music Hall, at which about 2,000 were present. The meeting was presided over by Hon. Harmanus M. Welch, at that time Mayor of the city, and speeches were made by Governor Dutton, Frederick J. Betts, Rev. Dr. Bacon, James F. Babcock, William s. Charnley, Hon. James E. English, Rev. Dr. Cleveland, Hon. Thomas H. Bond, Nel- son L. White of Danbury, Thomas Lawton, Hon. N. D. Sperry, Hon. James Gallagher, Hon. Charles Ives, Ira Merwin, c. s. Bush nell and Rev. MT. Eustis. Letters of sympa- thy were read from Hon. James Brewster and Hon. Ralph I. Ingersoil, Benjamin J. Moves, Esq, having called the meeting to order.
 Resolutions were adopted ''That the nation must be defended" :" and Approving the &C., tion of the Common Council appropriating $20, 900 to be expended at the discretion of the families of the brave volunteers who were to leave them to devote their lives to ment of the country" and Approving the appropriation of $10, 900 to purchase clothing for the volunteers from the city"
 On May 6, 1861, the Grays went into camp with the Second at Hallock's on Howard ave nue, near the Cedars. The officers of the regiment at this time were: Colonel, A. H. Terry; lieutenant colonel, David Young of Norwich; major, Ledyard Colburn of Derby; adiutant, Charles L. Russell of Derby, who was killed at Roanoke Island; quartermas ter, Charles w. Allen; chaplain, Hiram Ed dy; surgeon, A. T. Douglass of Middletown; assistant surgeon, Francis Bacon. The com panies hailed as follows: Company A, from New London; Company B, from Norwich Company c, from New London county; Company, D, from Hartford, Middletown and vicinity; Company E, from Winsted, Norfolk and vicinity; Company F from New Haven, these being rife companies. Of infantry companies thor Company B, from New Hartford, Canton, Norfolk and vicinity; Company c, New Haven Grays; Company D, from Derby.
 The regiment embarked for the front Fri day night, May 10, '61, on the Cahawba, a large ocean steamer which had run between New York and southern ports, and was now in the employ of the government as trans port. The Grays were escorted to the end of Long Wharf, where the boat lay, by the veterans, and about midnight she cast off. At this hour the wharf was a dense mass of people, who watched the black form of the receding boat till she was lost to view in the darkness, and the regiment was off to war.
 Important Railroad Contracts.