Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-06-06
THE FIRST ARMY CORPS.
Secretary Proctor for President-Gcneral
Dawes Rn1lying Cry.


The fact that Secretary of War
Redfeld Proctor, has been selected as presi-
dent Of the First Army corps association,
which holds its annual meeting at Portland,
Maine, July 3, and that he has accepted
the honor, already announced in the FREE
PRESS, is especially noteworthy.
Gems. +. $. Osborne, Joseph Dickinson,
w. c. Taley, and j. S. McCalmont, Hon
Mark II. Dunnell, colonel Fifth Maine;
Judge w. G. Neazey, Col j. r. Thompson,
Maj E. p Halstead, Capts. A. II. Van
Deusen, NJ. NJ. Whitney, and A. b. Jane
son, j. II. Slime, historian First corps; Past
Department Commander w. $. Odell, and
NJ. B. Hatch, son of Gen. John p. Hatch,
called on Secretary Proctor few days ago
to make arrangements for the next annual
meeting at Portland, Me-, on the Sd of
July, when the society of the Army of the
Potomac meets there, and to request per
mission to present his name for president of
the association. The speeches of Gen. Os-
borne and Secretary Proctor SO highly
pleased those present that universal wish
was expressed to have them printed.
General Osborne said; These gentlemen
are all old comrades of the first army corps.
We take the liberty of calling on you at
this time, remembering that there is a bond
of union between the survivors of that
army corps that cannot be found among
those that belonged to other corps, for the
reason that we started out at the beginning
of the war tho flower of the American
army, who were on all the battle fields OF
the army of the Potomac. The record
made by that corps is imperishable. We
stood shoulder to shoulder in all of those
contests until we came to the bloody battle
field of Gettysburg, and there we took the
brunt of the fight, and we think we saved
the day. OF course, having marched, BIZ
vouacked, and SO CALAMITY fought together,
it is but natural that there should have
been planted in our hearts remembrance
Of those days and confidence in each 9th
er that no other men of the army could
nave had.
1T SO happened in the course of events
that the old first army corps which had
batted SO CALAMITY and SO well, was oblig-
ed 10 be consolidated with another corps.
and we then formed two divisions of the
fifth corps until the surrender at Appomat-
toX.
''We lost our comrade the gallant Cen
Reynolds, at Gettysburg. Remembering
the glory of the men who have gone, We
come to you, as one of our comrades
we have grand estimate for and we ash
you to take hold of our organization tc
represent what is left of it be the rally
ing point around which the old remnant OF
the old first army corps may come and looL
to as the man who will represent US, and,
| therefore, we come as a delegation to ask
you to permit the use of your name for the
presidency of our association, that is oul
mission here.
Secretary Proctor spoke briefly in reply
| General and comrades: | thank you very
much for this great compliment. You Ger
tainly have a full right to the pride you
express in the record of the corps; and
can say that impartially as my connection
with it was so short and unimportant. AND
| if your request to me was to accept thi;
position as an honor, or a token of my ser
vice in = he corps, | should certainly think
ought to decline it: but if you come as
| comrades. asking my cooperation TO aid
you in any way can, l shall cheerfully &c
cept the duty and serve you as a comradt
to the best of my ability and again
thank you.
The following are the present officers OF
the association of the First Army corps;
President, Gen. K. h. Dawes, Marietta
Ohio.
Vice Presidents, Charles f. Coon, New
York city, Lieut. Charles j. Chattied