Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-04-07
GRAND ARMY BOYS
Celsbrits tho TYsntJ-Fhlh IN.
niIsrsiIy d The Order.


GARDisER. Apgil s.-At Grand Army
hall isss evening, the comrsdes and friends
Of Heath post, No. 8, assembled in eoodly
numbers 10 celebrate. with their comrades
sil over the United States, The arrival Of
the rs anniversary Of the sstablishmens Of
the Grand Army Of the Republic. The
exercises consisted Of the singing Of var
sorgs BY the Winthrop street male quartetts
Of Augusta, every selection being encored
and applauded 70 the echo. speeches by
several OF the members and the reading Of
the history Of the post. The large sudience
present was very appfecative one. The
general order issued from. national head
quarters was read by Commander Nc
Csusland.
The history Of Heath post vas read BY
Judge J. N. LAfrabee. A brief abstract
shows the following interesting points
The post was iostituted Nov. Is. 1867, by
Fl A. Shorey, aid-de-camp Of the National
Encampment. with the following charter
members: e. d. Haley. Gustsvus Moore,
James Walker. N. C. Wardsvorth, H. 8.
Merriam, DR.. G. s. Palmer. James M.
Lsrrabee, Charles T. Dsering, r. b. Cole,
Geo. w. Gardiner, jas. W. Mcdonald,
Orin Richardson, VIM. II. Moore, Geo.
z. Yes.oa, Chas. e. Davis, B. S. Smith,
". T, Blair, Giles O. Bailey, DR.. Tbad.
deus Hildreih, Jf. The fret corps Of ON
GERS were f d. Haley. P. c.; Gustavus
Moore. s. v. G.; James Walker, JV. C.;
M. c. Wadsworth, Adjs; II. E. Merriam,
q M; c. e. Deering1 Chsp.; Geo. s.
Palmer, Sefg.; Chss. e. Davis, Seyg.
Major.
The first "muster in" was held Nov. 26,
81, by The addition Of George Bowie and
James Wiley. At the same meeting . com.
mitiee on bylaws was appointed and A.
rangeme nts made to hold meetings in the
s. Of 7. Hall, now Military Hall. over
Whites drug store. March IL, 1868, the
ladies gave the post handsome fl n and it
was displayed the first time April 8, '68, in
homer Of Lees surrender. Early in April
committee Was appointed to secure lee
ture by Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain on
Lees surrender. In May, 1868, the fret
arrangement was maee to decorate the
graves Of departed comrades. Sept. 22.
63, Gustsvus Moore was elected com-
msnder. Jan. 26, 1869, 1t Was voted to
adopt the name Of A. M. C. Heath Post 10
honor Of Corporal A. M. C. Heath Of Co
B, 18th Maine Volunteers, who WAS killed
at the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec, 1852
Decoration day, 1863. was properly OBJ.
served with addresses at the cemetery by
Rev. Messrs. Park. Nutting, Moore and
Root. In June, 1869, the hall over VIM.
Rings store was secured. June 20, '69, g.
o. Bailey was elected commander. Ia
September, 1869, the ritual was changed
aud several new members were mustered in
under the new ritual. January 7, 1870, A.
w. MeCausland, the present commander
was elected a'st delegate to tie department
convention. In September, 1871, another
new ritual was adopted. The drama Bat
tie OF Gettysburg" was put on the stage
during the winter Of II, and s244 20 was
received from its production. January 26.
1872. i. was voted to apply for an act Of
incorporation and it was granted BY the
Gray" and Limerick Boy" were presented
the winter of 1879 70. Memorial day. 1874
was observed with an sddres, by Geo. w.
Bicswell of Portland. In the year IA, the
properties belonging to the Dramatic
Corps" were sold In June. 1874 the post
took charge Of the Fire King Co.. and run
the hand tub for several years. December
IL, 1874, it was voted to hire rooms over
Browns store, formerly occupied by the
Y. M. G. A. An excursion was given in
the spring Of 1876, the receipts from which
were 1867 70. November 22, 1875. the
hall In Lswrenee's block was dedicated.
May, 1877, the post first attended q me.
moIisi sermon in q church as body. The
service wss held in the Cougregatio nal
church, the pastor. Rev. Mr.. Park, deliver
ing the address. March 8, 1873, M. C.
Wadsworth presented the post with the re-
ports Of the adjutant general from 1861 to
1866. In the winter OF 1873 the post run
q skating rink. which was unsuccessful
financially. Ga Decoration day, 1873.
the address was delivered BY Herbert NJ.
Heath, Augusta. September. 1873. the
po.t gave an excursion to Portland on the
steamer Star of the East, with net loss of
l. cents.
May 9th, 70, resolutions censuring the
city government for not appropristing
money for Decoration day exercises were
passed. Feb. 4. 81. the matter of pur-
chasing the Baptist church was introduc I'd
and the hall, the present quarters Of the
post. was purchased. snd on Oct, Z. 81, it
was dedicated. The citizens contributed
1886 80 toward its purchase.
The post attended the dedication Of the
soldiers monument in Augusta in Septem-
Der, 's2. and celebrated is 18th annivers-
sry Nov. Is, a.. II held levee during
the yellow fever outbreak in Memphis,
Tenn, sending the money for the relief Of
the sufferers. On Jan. II, 's3, appro-
priats resolutions were spread on the
records concerning the death Of P.,D. c.,
John d. Myrick Of Augusta, which oc-
Cured Dec. 81, 's2. In March. 's3, fsir
was held ard the net receipts, s7l2 81,
were used in paying off the mortgage
on the hall and placing the post out OF
debt. May 3, 's3, Dept. Com. E. NJ. Shaw
was presented with a finely polished crow
bar by the comrades OF the post, the same
being plsced in neat case made from =
piece Of the old Gardiner post office. July
1, 's3. the post participated in the Fourth
Of July celebration in this city. In March
's3 they mounted the two rebel guns which
now guard the entrance to the hall. In Au-
gust Of the same year they participated in
the Grand Army mass meeting st Lake
Msranscook. From this time the history
Of the post has been uneventful with the
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