St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1891-08-20
BENNINGTON.

Battle Monument Suitably Dedicated.
CONDENSED from last nights Journal
Wednesday was a perfect day at
Bennington and the celebration was
attended by thousands of people.
At 9 o'clock the guns of Fuller's
Battery doomed the signal for divi-
sions to commence forma ton The
column, except carriages, formed on
the parade ground, and as usual, was
slow in getting started.
1t was 1890 before it was finally
under way. Finally, the Putnam
Phalanx of Hartford, which was
given the honor of escorting the Pres
ident, moved, and then a score of
carriages containing the President
and distinguished guests followed
along in rapid order.
The column moved through North,
Gage, Stafford and Main streets to
the reviewing stand. Here a short
halt was made, to allow the review
ing party to take position on the
stand. The column then passed in
review before President Harrison.
The latter received many fattering
greetings from the marching column
and acknowledged the same by bow
ing. The procession continued to
march through Main street and Mon
| 10 Il
lofty pillar which will tell generations
vet unborn of the valor and patriot
/ ism of the Green Mountain boys of
TIT. Here the first division except
batteries was massed on the west
side of the monument; the second
and third divisions, except carriages,
on the east side The batteries then
took positions and fired national
salute of 81 guns. Meantime the
President and party, the orator of
the day, Hon. Edward ]. Phelps, Gov.
Page and other distinguished speak
ers and guests, with the representa-
tives of the press, about 40 people in
all, had taken their positions on the
platform at the base of the monu-
ment. Around and about the open
spaces were black with the multitudes
gathered from many states to wit
ness the ceremony of dedication.
The exercises at the monument
were opened with an Introductory
address by Hon Wheelock 6. Veazey,
president of the day, followed by
prayer by Rev. Charles Parkhurst,
D. D., of Boston, the chaplain. An
address of welcome by Governor c.
S. Page was followed by the formal
transfer of the monument to the
state by ex-Gov. B. F. Prescott of
New Hampshire, president of the
Bennington Battle Monument Asso-
citation. Gov. Page accepted the
monument on behalf of the state, and
then the Grafton was delivered by
Hon. Edward ]. Phelps of Burling
ton. Remarks by President Harrison
followed, and music and the benedic-
ton closed the exercises.
Mr.. Phelps elaborate effort con-
sumed much time, but the vast
throng was patient, even that pOr-
ton on the outskirts which could
hear little or nothing, while to those
nearer the platform the well rounded
periods of the ex-Minister furnished
literary treat not often available
in this rural section. Applause
greeted the finish, and it was renew
ed with increased intensity as Presi-
dent Harrison was introduced and
spoke Of his qualification at being
present 1t was late in the afternoon
when the President finished, and the
exercises, long to be remembered in
the annals of the Green Mountain
state, were brought to a close with
music and the benediction
The divisions then reformed in
proper order, with the carriages of
each division in its rear, and marched
through Monument avenue, Main
and North streets to Camp Vermont,
where the troops and other organ
izations were dismissed. The escorts
and carriages proceeded to the large
tent near the Soldiers Home, where
the banquet was served, more than
5000 people sitting down to the
tables
The celebration closed last night
with great display of fireworks.
LATEST FROM BENNINGTON.
Especial Dispatch to the Caledonian.]
The exercises in connection with