Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1891-08-24
BENNINGTON.


beI. Of distinguished persons than were
ever assembled in the state at one time
Fourteen years ago the centennial oi
the Bennington battl1 zFas honoref
by a similar gathering, atw which time
President Hayes, members of his cabi-
nent, army officers, veterans and citi-
zens in large numbers assembled. Al
this time the purpose of the gather
ing was to honor the hundredth ami
versarv Of the admission of Vermont
into the Union, and to dedicate at
Bennington the great monument
which has been erected in honor, both
of the battle and victory, and the Off
cial birth of the first state that joined
the sisterhood of states, that numbers
forty-four.
The monument is the second high
est in the United States and was erect
ed by contributions from the three
states, Vermont, Massachusetts, and
New Hampshire 1t is built, not upon
the exact spot where the battle was
fought, but at cold Bennington" the
historic spot where the Council OF
Safety met and from whence proceed
ed the valiant men, when they sailed
out to meet the approach of the Brit
ish, who were bent on a mission OF
plumber, rapine and slaughter.
The monument stands on an emf
nence at the North end of the street
from which all buildings have been
,,o,,,,x-o5 Tho cite itcaIf iC tho bioI, =
est point in the old village and COM
mands q very wide view in all direct
ions. The structure is 81 feet square
at the base and is 300 feet high; it
curves after it reaches a height of 200
feet toward the center and termi-
mates at point The stone is a blush
tinted lime stone, brought from a
quarry in New York State, not far dis
tant; the face of the blocks is uncut
outside and in, and in the distance it
is hard to disabuse the mind of the
thought that the structure is not slat-
ed. The thickness of the walls at the
base are seven feet and they grow
gradually thinner toward the top un-
til they are but two feet thick. a
winding stair extends distance
of 200 feet, where there are openings
in the side Of the monument large
enough to give chance to overlook the
surrounding scenes. The cost is some
thing like 500, coo. The structure is
beautiful and is said to be model of
architecture.
Space viii not permit Us to give de-
tails of the history of the battle, and
only a brief account of the happen
ings of Wednesday. The program ex
ercises consisted of the formation Of a
marching column, including military
organizations from New York, Massa-
chusetts, New Hampshire, West Point
cadets, Grand Army men, Sons of
Veterans, Masonic and Odd Fellows,
and other civic orders, military bands
etc. etc. The column, prehaps three
fourths of mile long, formed near
the Soldiers Home grounds, northeast
of the village, marched through the
village proper and thence to the monu-
ment, mile and a half away, where
at the base of the monument, large
covered stand had been erect
ed for the dedicatory ceremonies.
Half way up the line Of march re
viewing stand had been placed where
the President and his distinguished
party including among others Gov
ernors Russell of Massachusetts, Tut
tie of New Hampshire, and Page of
Vermont, Secretary Proctor, Attor-
ney Gems. Miller, Gen. Howard, Alger
and Webb, distinguished men from
New Hampshire and Massachusetts,
senators Edmunds and Morrill,, repre-
resentatives Grout and Powers. Hon.
Z. J. Phelps, orator of the day and
many others, alighted from their car
riages and witnessed the passing of
the long marching column. Proceed
ing thence they gathered at the stand
at the monument, where Col. Veazey,
president of the occasion, called to
order and prayer was offered by Rev.
Charles Parkhurst of Boston, after
which formal welcome was extend
ed to the states represented, to distin-
guished guests present, and all who
gathered to honor the day, by Gov.
Page. At this point ExGov. Cheney
president of the Battle Monument
Association, transferred the title and
the monument to the state. Gov.
Page in very timely words accepted the
monument in behalf of the state, when
the orator, Ex-Minister Edward j.
Phelps, delivered an Grafton that will
rank in scope, historic value and in lit
erary merit with the noted grafton de
ivered by Daniel Webster at Bunker
Hill monument. Some of the address
es of the day may be found in these
columns later.
President Harrison made a brief
speech full of feeling and good sense
The procession reformed and proceed
ed TO the grounds near where the
start was made, where an immense
pavilion had been erected for ban
quet dinner. 1t was late when the
four or five thousand were seated at
the tables, and the bountiful and ex-
cellent banquet which had been cook
ed and prepared in Boston, and brought
forward in refrigerator cars, was sery-
ed Here after dinner speeches were
made by the President, Gov Russell
of Mass, Gov. Tuttle, of n. H., Gen.
Howard, Gen. Alger, Secretary Proc
tor and others. 1t was nearly sunset
when the speaking at the tables end
ed. The President was wearied and
quietly retired, proceeding at once to
No. Bennington by carriages, where
he was the guest of Gen. Mccullough.
and where he remained during the
night, proceeding thence to Saratoga.
He win return this week and make a
more extended visit through the State.
The evening was devoted to the
display of fire works.
Wednesday was a proud day for