Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-07-06

war. He sketched the election of Lincoln {;
the outbreak of rebellion the at
tack on Sumter the rising OF the
North the proclamation OF emanclpa
tom the assassination of Lincoln,
whose memory spans the years OF war like
a rainbow, and whose name will finally
be written higher than any other in the
history of our country. The war was the
greatest event in modern history. Its
meaning can be read in every soldiers
grave. 1t is that all men are equal before
the law that the Union must and shall
he preserved. 1t means liberty and union,
now and forever, one and lnSeparable, and
that a government of the people, for the
people, and by the people shall not perish
from the earth
Our country has entered its second cen
fury in peace. The war was right but as
far as possible let us forget its bitterness.
1t is for us now to guard well the fabric OF
the Union. Vermont went to the war in
the persons of nearly $4,000 of her sons.
Their record was an honorable one, A
Vermont regiment first threw the soil of
Virginia up into Union breastwork and
first assaulted a rebel entrenchment. Our
men were sturdy fighters and great
marchers, often selected for responsible
positions. The ID Vermont brigade
turned the day at Gettysburg: The old
brigade led the way through the lines OF
Petersburg, April 2, '65, and q soldier of
the 9Th Vermont went first inside the enc
my's works The Vermont cavalry under
Wells made the greatest capture OF guns
in the war. A Vermont regiment led the
column into Richmond at It's fall.
Returning to Savage's Station, Mr.. Bal
lard described the battle. Probably no
regiment in the war lost so many men, N
80 short time, as did the 9Th in that bat
tie; yet we cheered at nightfall for we
had won our first field. The reputation
of the Vermont troops was then estab-
lished forever.
In the course of his remarks Mr. Bal
lard paid eloquent tributes to Gems. Grant
and Sheridan to Gen. Stannard and l..
A. Grant, than whose no name will stand
higher in the roll of Vermonts heroes.
These and an allusion to Col. John r.
Lewis were received with prolonged APP
plause and the speaker was heartily APP
plauded at the close. The public exer-
clses closed with Rally Round the Flag,
Boys" sung by the Glee club, the veterans
and audience joining in the chorus.
THE BANQUET.
At the conclusion of the exercises at
City Hall the veterans formed in line and
marched to Concert Hail. where bean
banquet was served by H. n. Coon, with
real hard tack and coffee as reminders of
camp life. Grace was said by Rev. j. G.
Sunderland of Flemming, n. j., after
which the skirmlsh began in earnest,
ample justice being done to the viands.
After the banquet the tables were
raped to order by President Trick and
the quartette sang John Browns Body"
the veterans joining heartily in the
chorus. Secretary Forbes then announced
that letters of regret had been received
from Col. w. G.. VeaZey of Rutland, Capt.
B. r. Jenne of Hudson, n. Y. II. ID. Odds
OF Cedar Rapids, Ia, Joseph Stone of
Palmer Fla, Daniel Calkins of Burr Oak,
Ia, A. o. Gates of Morrisville, Maj. G. G.
Gould of Washington, d. c., John Staff
of the Soldiers Home at Elizabeth City,
Va, c. H. Benton of Minneapolis and 9th
ers.
By request Thomas Greenlef lent some
spice to the proceedings, by singing "Ba-
bylon is Fallen" Comrade McGibbon was
also called upon as 1.-The brigade liar" but
he declined.
Chairman Ballard Of the executive COM
mittee then announced that it had been
decided to hold the next reunion in Bur
lington, June &c, 1889.
Mr. Ballard also made brief but
spirited remarks, indulging in remin-
iscences that awoke great enthusiasm
among the veterans.
Comrade Doolan of Franklin moved that
vote of thanks be extended to the com
mittee, speaker and quartette for their
services, which was voted with a will.
The reunion closed with the singing of
America