The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-10-16

steps to the site OF the monument to
the Old Vermont Brigade" the First,
on Sedgwick avenue, east of Big Round
Top. The address at this monument
was given by Colonel T. o. Seaver.
He spoke of the position held by the
Old Vermont Brigade in the battle.
Whatever credit may be due to the
brigade for battles fought on other
fields, it claimed no part of the re-
nown to which Vermont is entitled for
the victory won at Gettysburg. That
renOwn was won by the soldiers of
STANDARDS Brigade. Colonel Seaver
spoke of the forced march of thirty
four miles in single day the brigade
made to reach Gettysburg on the second
day of the battle. cit was said that
next day General Hood was about to
come around the southern flank of the
mountain and we were here to receive
him in due and ancient form. He never
came. We never thought he could
come" said Colonel Seaver. Captain
G. II. Parsons, of the National Brigade
of Virginia, complmented the Vermont
troops for their valor throughout the
war.
The monument to the First Vermont
Cavalry stands on Fitzpatrick avenue.
Here the address was made by General
William Wells.
AT the monument to companies E
and II, of Sharpshooters, near the
Slider house, Corporal Curtis Abbott
of Boston described movements of the
companies during the battle. At the
monument to Company f, near Ptzer's
Run, Sergeant Cassius M. Peck of
Brookfield spoke, as did General w. Y
| w. Ripley and Captain Merrill of Com
pany F who bears the reputation of
never having missed his aim.
The exercises came to an end about
four O'Clock in the afternoon, and, re-
turning to the hotels, the Vermont
delegation remained over night. The
next day the greater number returned
to New York and home, while smaller
party made short trip to Washington.
Governor Dillingham's Address.
AS we assemble here to-day and in the
afterlght of quarter century to consider
the character of the late conflict between
| opposing sections of our beloved country,
and remember that upon this field the great
est battle of the war was fought, in the re-
| suit of which, more than any other, interests
were involved affecting not only the integ-
| rity OF our Union but the maintenance of
| free institutions the world over, we are
awed by a sense OF its importance as an in
| cident in the worlds history, and are filed
with devout thanksgiving that in the time
of greatest need our country had defenders
| who, approaching the value OF their her
itage, were invincible in their purpose to
preserve the liberties bequeathed to them
| by their fathers. The contest here waged
was between the spirit Of freedom and the
spirit of oppression, and the success of a
| century of effort in the cause of human
| rights depended in a large measure upon its
| result; in it the sons Of Vermont had a
conspicuous part and contributed in a sig
nal degree TO the glorious result. Inherit
ing the courage of those who fought with
Allen and Warner, possessing the intense
love of liberty that has been the heritage of
our people, representing state that in its
| birth was dedicated to freedom and whose
| history was an inspiration to high purposes
and heroic deeds, and believing that the
| strength and safety of our free institutions
| rested in the maintenance of a union be-
tween all the states, they were found where
the battle was the hottest, striking blows
for liberty, and they saw the opposing host
surge back defeated, never again to APP
proach so near the goal Of their misguided
ambition. In grateful recognition Of their
| services, Vermont has raised this monu-
ment to commemorate the valor OF all her
sons who served upon this field, and has
| erected others TO indicate the spots where
they were engaged. May the memories
they arouse be hallowed influence in the
lives Of all who shall in future years visit
this spot, inspiring sentiments of intense
loyalty to country and devotion to consti-
| tutional liberty. Gentlemen, the pleasant
duty is mine, in behalf of the state of Yer
| mont, to commit these monuments to the
care of the patriotic organization which you
so worthily represent.
Judge Veazey's Address.
When the Gettysburg Battlefield Me-
mortal Association invited Vermont, in
common with other states, to erect monu-
ments on the field in honor OF her sons who
fought here, it implicitly pledged itself to
become the guardian Of such monuments
In pursuance of that implied pledge this as.
ISOLATION now cheerfully renews the same
in express terms, and accepts the trust, In
lull appreciation OF the RESPONSE Dlllty which
it incurs. The directors advise
me to say that, in accepting this trust. they
recognize the high quality of the service
which was performed by the various Yer
mont organizations, at vital points of the
battle, and the excellence and appropriate
ness of the structures erected to commence
rate that service and the men who per,
formed it. They recognize that a state
whose military force was so nearly wholly
engaged in this battle as was that of Yer
mont should have a monument here not
limited to single organizations, but dedi-
Gated to the honor Of all.
Within short radius from one spot or
this extended battlefield, many things oc
Cured OF the greatest historic interest and
importance. 1t was here that the battle
eliminated at the close of three days o.
fierce and desperate conflict 1t was here
that history has recorded that the rebellion
touched its high-water mark and in the
sense intended by the statement it is a true
record. 1t was here that Hancock anC
Stannard stood on the extreme front OF the
Union lines, until they received the ugly
wounds that nearly cost them their lives
and even then refused to be taken from tn,
field until the shouts of victory rang from