Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-08-31

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Oar rscosdpf the sinrh asnasi fesnisn
Of the Isl RsG's u Northern Msise G. A
K cs9nercss On Monday .orains. Aug.
2sih. slshoush the reunion proper did rot
begin until Wednesday the - b. At The
msstirs ct Psssen last August Is vss voted
20 hold the nj Il annual reunion . Spring
Geld, ia Pesooscos county. This vote -
taksn u the urgent feqssss Of the 6pf1ns
fsld Post, and vas gracefully ecnceded ~
tbs large number Of comfsdes fesidsns N
Afoostook- o. Mosdsy morning, Arg.
z4sh, many Of The cousndes Of tbs towns
Of Northern Asoostcok we're yepdezvoused
in TIE good town Of Hodgdoa- 1me had
come down on the day previous from the
10 vns in the Arcostook valley and many
had gathered in the early morning from
| the towns adjoining.
The route 70 Springfield vss down the
Calais road 10 Dauforsh, rheoes scfoss
through the town Of Pfeufiss to Springfield
By seven 10 the morning most Of the teams
we're on the road There we're TOP baesies
with tent poles slung beneath snd teri and
bedding bound Oh behind, sinsie wagons,
double wagons. stage coaches and camp
meeting omnibusses all pressed into the
service to convey the old veterans. their
wives and ehildren 10 the gaxhssinG 70 which
eli old soldiers sad their families look for
| ward with 30 much pleasure. Comrsde
Thoma, Haney. commander Of Post s., had
r,ysn A invitation for all comrades whose
line Of march lay by his residence in Cary
to halt for . lunch. The halt vas male
according 10 invitation and the .1unch'
proved TO be Q square meal in which .
large number Of comrades and their
wives INDUCED and many hearty thsnks
we're given Comrsde Hsney and bis good
wife for the bountful repast. After al
sppetitss we're fully sssisded the horses,
whose wAnts had been included 10 our good
comrades bounty. were hitehed up and The
column again started. The obi ective point
was now DanfoYth, where the FIRST nights
camp Was to be pitched. Through Cary
and Amity we proceeded. passipg many
other parties bivouacking by the road side,
on through Orient with calofs dying, over
the long horseback" kindly placed by
nature - the only possible chance for 8
road for the entire Eve or SIX miles Of its
length, away through the billy town Of
Weston, where most beautiful. view Of
Grand lake was bad from the road.
then turing of ct the old Foster
place" q ride Of & few miles over
q good road brought US to the thriving town
Of Danforth. This town lies upon the line
Of the Maine Central formerly Z. & N A.
railroad and il . fourishing village with
many neat residences and substantial bust
ness ediHces. A handsome green ridge in
the rear OF the village had been set apart
for this first nights camp, and BY four O.
clock in the afternoon, the teams began to
arrive and we're quickly unloaded and the
tents pitched and put in order. Other de-
tachments kept arriving later and by six
o'clock long row Of tents appeared upon
the ridge. OF course al who tented brought
provision with them, butthe surprise was no
less pleasant when they we're informed that
the generous and thoughtful citizens Of Dan
forth had honeycombed the ground near
the camp with bean holes and when supper
time came the pots were exhumed and all
we're invited to partake Of their savory con-
tents.
Your correspondent, not being provided
| With camp and garrison equipsge took quar-
tiers at the Exchange Hotel, where mine
host Stinchfield carefully looked after
every want. After dark we walked up to
the camp to see how our comrades and their
ladies' were faring in the tents. Bright
lights were
Bur0lnE In Every TENT
From some the shrilI notes Of the fife were
sending forth cheerful music, the in
mates of others were singing the old army
songs, while pesls Of merry laughter
rang joyously forth from many others.
Lieut.. Col. Chss o. Bither of Linneus and
Major Ezra McGlaufin Of Presque Isle
were on the ground and looked carefully
after the comfort Of sll. Many citizens Of
Danforth visited the camp during the even
ing and sounds Of merriment and hearty
good cheer were heard until quite q late
hour.
On Tuesday morning the veterans in camp
were early on foot and, after partsking Of
q hearty breakfast, tents were quickly
struck, baggage packed, teams hitched up
and soon the gay csvalcade was winding its
long line over the hills toward Springfield.
Some fiue farms were passed in the town Of
Danforth and soon the road led into the forest
and for ten long miles there was not
break in the wilderness except where
some lumbermsn had built his camp by the
roadside. The great forest trees grew thick
almost to the roadside and the narrow space
between WAS fringed with the gay golden
rod which grew in rich abundance, inter-
spersed with purple. ssters and other wild
flowers. The day was cloudy and warm
and threatened rain, but the road proved
far better than was expected and the ten
miles of wilderness was made in good time.
When the head Of the column emerged
from the forest and human habitation was
seen on a distant hill hearty shout went
up which was caught up and repeated away
to the rear Of the procession. The larger
number now stopped in field by the road
side to dine and few went on TO Averilis
in the good town of Preniiss, where most
excellent accommodations were found.
After dinner we proceeded over the
hills and by the handsome farms Of Prem
tiss, and at little after two reached the
pretty little village of Springfield. Here
we found every store and residence gsyly
decked with flags large flags were stretched
across the streets and festoous of bunting
covered the fronts Of many Of the buildings.
As we turned the corner of the village
street we saw on q beautiful elevation,
short half mide westward, the gay flags
floating in the breeze, and the long rows Of
white tents, which not only showed US
where the encAmpment was, but indicated
that our column long Is it was. wss but Q
small contingent Of the grand force Of vet \
Grams of Northern Maine who we're to take
part in this Ninth Annual Reunion. The
Clouds Had Now Disappeared,
the sun was shining brightly and . cool,
refreshing breeze was blowing from the
west. As our column marched in upon the
the two field pieces placed in
position on rear Of the camp doomed forth
a welcome from their brazen Threats and
the large number Of veterans assembled on
the ground greeted US with their hearty
cheers. Most Of our number were members
of Frank Hunter Post No. 6s aud the flag Of
the post was ut once planted in the place
assigned them and soon the long row Of
tents was pitched and the comrades who
had for two days formed distinct column
became part Of the general encampment.
No pains had been spared by Springfield
Post and the citizens Of the town to have
everything in readiness for the entertain
ment and comfort Of the veterans. The field
chosen for the encampment was on slightly
hill q short distance west OF the
village near the High School building in
which 10 also the G.. A. r. Hall. An sbuu-
dance Of straw and Of wood and water
we're ct hand and near the camp two long
,renches had been dug in the ground snd
alled with pots Of PORK and beans covered
With hot Goals and ashes to furnish forth
the morning meal. At about O'Clock the
Springfield Cornet Band marched upon the
ground dseoufsing soul-stirring strains Of
martial music and team after team loaded
with veterans and their wives kept arriving
and were quickly assigned positions BY
Adjutant C. W. Penny who seemed to be
everywhere present and always to be found
when wanted. After tea the band formed
in front Of Col. Roberts' tent and played .
number Of fine selections and ct the con-
clusion the colonel thanked them moot