The Portland daily press., 1891-04-07
Histories Of Bosworth and Thatcher
Posts.

present at City Hall last night to attend the
25th anniversary of the Grand Army.
The stage was simply but beautifully dec
Grated with the Post flags, bunting, drums,
etc.
At an early hour the invited guests began
to assemble. and promptly at O'Clock Shep-
ley Camp. S. Of ", entered the hall. escort
ing Thatcher and Bosworth Posts, by the
rear entrance, and, marching straight down
the aisles, took their places without confu-
sion. This is so obviously the best way for
an organized body to enter the hall that the
| only wonder is that no one had thought Of 1t
before.
| The Relief Corps and Ladies Aid were
present in full ranks. and Wallace Garrison
| Regular Army and Navy Union we're present
with Thatcher Post
A very graceful courtesy was shown by
Bosworth to Thatcher Post, in placing the
latter on the right Of the escorted line, to
which Bosworth by seniority is of course
entitled.
Mayor True was unfortunately prevented
from being present.
Ex-Mayor Melcher, as chairman of the ex-
ecutive committee, read in clear and forci-
BILE manner the General Orders No. IS,
headquarters of the Grand Army, direct
ing that these commemoration exercises he
held by all posts of the G. A. R. Exactly at
$50 the audience at the requestof the chair
man rose and stood during the reading of
of the order, and prayer by Rev. A. II.
Wright.
The music of the Cadet Band was specially
pleasing and the vocal music of the Portland
Male Quartette was happily selected and
| rendered in an admirable manner. The ad-
dresses of Rev. DIR. Whitaker, representing
| the churches. and of Gen. G. p, Mattocks
representing the Grand Army, were excel
lent, both in thought and delivery, and were
| just what would be expected from those
| gentlemen.
| HISTORY OF BoswoRTH POST.
| Commander George F. French of Bosworth
Post, No. 2, gave a historical sketch of
Bosworth Post, the following being an alb
stract:
On this. the 18th anniversary of the Grand
Army OF the Republic, the pleasant duty de-
ry Of Bosworth Post. No. 2. Department of
Maine. To the comrades of this department
its record is well known. Holding today, as
| 1t has for years, the right OF the line, by vir-
tue of rank. it also stands first in numbers
and second to none in influence. Its reputa-
| ton for sterling worth, good order and
| steadfast adherence to the principles of the
order have given 1t "a name to live" from
the Atlantic to the Pacific. To the public
generally, and especially to the citizens of
| therefore, eminently fitting tonight to review
| the past, already made honorable, and gain
inspiration for the future.
Twenty-Five years ago the storm Of war
4 had rsoc ad Nha for 80
and blocdshed which had swept over the
land, costing the lives of 100000 of the
bravest sons Of America, carrying devasta-
ton and mourning into almost every loyal
household, like night of terror had been
succeeded by morning of calm. The dawn
of peace had come, its sunshine rested on our
fair land, and from East to West. from
North to South, a reunited country rejoiced
under one flag, the star spangled banner,
emblem Of liberty, equal rights and nation
forever the field. the camp and the hospital,
b1t the memories of mutual hardship and
danger were never to be forgotten while life
remained. The organization Of the Grand
the fraternity and comradeship rof
army life intensified by the
fire Of battle and the heroism and devo-
ton Of men ready to sacrifice life itself "that
ty. five years ago. the first post Of the Grand
catur, Illinois, Other posts, spriuging Up in
different states, were soon in line. The
three great principles Of the new order, Fra
ternity, Charity. Loyalty, touched the deep
est chords in the veterans heart. In The
summer Of 1867 meetings we've held by the
comrades In this city at the office of Com
rade G. p. Mattocks, on Middle street, hav-
ing in mind the formation of post Of the
and Navy Hall, In the First National Bank
| building, corner of Middle and Plum streets.
October 9Th the organization was completed,
the charter accepted to date, September II,
memory of Sergeant Major Frederick W
Bosworth, 18th Regiment, Maine Volunteers,
who fell MORALLY wounded at Mapping
Heights, July %, 1868.
The post remained in quarters, corner Of
Middle and Plum streets, until May %, 1868,
when, escorted by the Portland Mechanic
Blues, it marched to the Clapp block on Fed.
eral street, and giving three hearty cheers,
broke ranks and camped 10 the new quarters
These quarters were occupied till December
taken up. this time for the Mechanic build
ing, corner of Congress and Casco streets,
where the post remained till December /,
1882, period of Ii years. Again breaking
Congress street, which it held until Decem-
Der, 1890, when the bugle call ''pack up" once
more sounded, and the veterans marched to
the home camp" Bosworth Post Building,
L
OF the Post Commanders there have died
Comrades Miller, Smith and Fitzgerald.
Comrade Miller died December IL. 1873 He
was the first post commander, man of abil-
ity and real worth. Had ne lived he would
undoubtedly have held high rank In the or.
der.
Comrade Winsor B. Smith, died June "a,
1885, while the National Encampment of the
| G. A. r. was In session in this city. Al
though not charter member he was mus
tered at the next meeting after the organiza-
ton, and from that time till his death was
an active, efficient member of the order. He
held many offices Of honor and trust and was
Department Commander for the year 1879.
Comrade Fitzgerald died January 10, 1888.
He wasa Jealous, active member Of the
post, filling many of its Offices with ability
| and faithfulness.
Charity. one of the three cardinal princl-
pies Of the Grand Army, has entered largly
into tue work of the Post. To relieve suffer.
ing comrades and the widows and orphans
of those who died for the Union, is the par
| am0ut duty OF every true soldier or sailor,
and Bosworth Post has never failed In Its
mission OF sympathy and relief. In the fall
was given in City hall to raise funds for re-
lief. but met with only partial success. Not
discouraged, an appeal was made January /,
1869. to the citizens OF Portland. Out Of
1852 special appeals sent out al received a
response making a total amount of S6S850.
ten citizens. ohm Mussey. Esq. giving $500.
The balance was made up by smaller sums.
In April, 1862 large fair was held In City
Hall, realizing quite an amount, followed in
later years by war dramas and other enter
tainments, which enabled the post to carry
on its relief work in generous and substan-
tial manner. COmrade George III. Libby was
the first chairman of relief, holding the posi-
ton from January to May, 1869, when, at his
own request, he was relieved. and Comrade
Luther Bradford was appointed. who served
| until October of the same year. On his
| resignation, Comrade s. G. Smith was ap-
| pointed, holding his position till his removal
| West in April, 1871. C0mrade BENZ. B. Mer-
| rill filled the office until September Of that
year, when his business calling him out of
| the city much of the time he resigned.
Comrade John Yeaton. Jr.. was then ap-
| pointed, who held the office uninterruptedly
more than seven years, till January, 1879.
| Comrade Yeaton did much to inaugurate a
| new and efficient system of relief, which
with few notifications has been continued
1 IN fhnx n..f Inn