Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-10
MEMOIRS.
That Grace The Reunion Of the Gallant
Sixteenth.
How the Maine Veterans are Passing
the Pleasant Hours
Especial to tine Kennebec Journal.

Special TO the kennebec Journal.
LEWISTON, Aug. 8, 1888.
The association composed of the survivors
of the Sixteenth Regiment of Maine Infantry
Volunteers. held their annual reunion here,
yesterday and today.
This regiment was mustered into the United
States service on the l4th day of August,
1852, at Augusta, and left for Washington
few days after. No more gallant regiment
ever left the state. 1t was hurried to the
front, and joined the Army of the Potomac
few days after the battle of Antietam. At
Fredericksburg it received its baptism of fire,
losing in about one hour over so per cent. of
the number engaged in killed and wounded.
At the battle of Gettysburg the regiment
was deliberately sacrificed on the first day of
the fight. General Reynolds had been killed,
and the first and eleventh army corps were
unable to Withstand the desperate assaults of
and artillery. These two corps were being
beaten and drives back through the village.
1t was a critical moment and something mnst
be done to hold in check for brief time
the advancing rebel column in order that the
Union lines, which were in imminent danger
might have time to reform and take up an
other position in the rear. With this end in
view General Robinson, commanding the
second division directed the Sixteenth To
advance to the brow of hill and to hold it
at all hazards" This was an omiuous or
gathered the combined forces of the rebel
army of northern Virginia, flushed with
what it thought were the first fruits of VIC
tory. Calamity the men advanced to the
designated spot took up their position and
opened sharp fire upon the enemy. The
audacity of the movement, combined with
rapid fire, surprised and checked the advance
of the rebel army, until the two corps had
time to occupy the admirable position upon
the heights of Gettysburg. In this manner
it is believed that the sacrifice of the regi-
ment was factor of untold Importance in
that great victory which was the death knell
to the southern confederacy. 1t was a lit
eral sacrifice, for only thirty-seven men and
officers escaped; and the rest were either
killed wounded or captured.
This regiment participated in every i'm
portant battle in which the army of the Poto-
mac were engaged, from Frederi cksburg to
Appomattox, and it took out for service from
first to last over 2300 men. About hundred
survivors are gathered here. They are young
no longer. Time has left its deep marks
on their once youthful faces. The eyes of
them, which during the years of war, flashed
with patriot" fire, are dimmed with age.
They are manned, batte-scarred veterans,
and there is scarcely man but what has
are jolly set and have not forgotten how to
give three cheers and tiger" They made
City Hall ring last night.
That brave and gallant man, Gen. c. w.
Tilden, SO dearly loved by his men, was
present; also Capt J. O. Lord Of Biddeford,
Lieut.. ID. l.. Warren of Standish, Lieut..
Gustavus Moore of Gardiner Capt. Daniel
Marston of La Crosse, Wis, Dr. A. b.
Adams of Wilton, Sergeant Luther Bradford
of Woodfords, Thomas S. Hopkins of Wash
ington, Hon. Geo. ID. Bisbee of Bucktield,
and many others, who, since the war, have
distinguished themselves in private and pub
lie life.
A business meeting was held in G. A.
r. hall in the afternoon, when routine busi-
ness was transacted. The following officers
were elected for the ensuing year;
President, Maj. S. c. Belcher, Farming
ton lst vice president, Capt. Daniel Mars
ton, La Crosse, Wis; 2nd vice president
Sergeant Geo. B. Haskell, Lewiston; secre-
tary and treasurer, Luther Beaufort, Wood
fords
One interesting feature of the meeting was
when each comrade arose and announced his
name. the company in which he served, and
his residence.
Resolutions expressive of the sorrow of
the association at the death of General Sher-
idan were adopted.
In the evening the association sat down to
a handsome banquet at the City Hall This
entertainment was provided by the comrades
place, and the ladies of Knox relief corps.
Many distinguished persons were present as
guests of the association.
The following toasts were given and elo-
quenty responded to amid frequent rounds
of applause and ringing cheers:
Addresses of welcome by Mayor Little and
Miss NJ. Gertrude Wight.
Getty sburg,' by Col. j. B. Baehelder,
of Massachusetts, government historian of
that battle.
Massachusetts in the war" by Gen 5. H,
Leonord of the 18th Massachusetts, who at
one time was brigade commander.
The Sixteenth Maine" by George D.
Bisbee.
"The Grand Army of the republic by
Major II. S. Melcher of Portland.
Service Pensions by Major G. T.
Stevens of Oakland.
"The ladies of Knox relief corps" by
Mrs. Or. Aureti9 Springer of Lewiston.
Addresses we're also delivered by Col. +.
NJ Drew, Gen. Steven Manning, Mr.. Wal
lace II. White, and Edgar Allen, past junior
vice commander-in-chief of the G. A. X. of
Richmond, Va.
1t was happy, jovial meeting, and the
boys appeared at their best. Today an ex-
cursion is being given the veterans to Lake