Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-09-04
BENNINGTON, BATTLE MONUMENT.

Early in the morning Colonel w. Seward
Webb accompanied by a mounted Grand
Army post escorted President Harrison
from Gen. McCulough's house to the Sol
aers Home, where Governor Page and
AZ the living ex-Governors of the
State were waiting to greet him.
The President alighted from his
carriage and was escorted into the house,
where he remained a short time while he
was introduced to the distinguished guests.
he then resumed his place in the carriage,
which, with the other vehicles took their
places in the line.
At o'clock the guns of Fuller's Battery
doomed the signal for the formation of divis-
tons. The column, except carriages, formed
Oh the parade ground, and was slow In
getting into position, so that 1t was 1880
before the procession moved, with the Put
nam Phalanx of Hartford in the position of
honor as escort to the President, with
a score of carriages following, con-
tanning the distinguished guests. The
camp grounds where the Soldiers
Home is situated and where the Vermont
National Guard had been in camp for sew
eral days, was filled with people when the
procession moved. The President dotted his
hat in salute to every manifestation OF ap-
plause and to keep the fierce rays of the sun
from his head Colonel Webb held an UNI
brella over him.
The column moved through North, Gage,
Stafford, and Main streets to the reviewing
stand. Here a short halt was made. Ths
column then passed in review before Presl-
dent Harrison, and continued its march
through Main street and MOnu-
ment avenue to the massive and lofty
pillar which commentaries the battle
of BENNINGTON. Here the first di-
vision 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
ired a national salute of twenty-one
guns. Meantime the President and
party, the orator of the day. the
Hon. Edward J. Phelps, Governor Page,
and other distinguished speakers and
quests with the representatives of the press,
bad taken their places on the platform at the
base of the monument. Around and about
the open spaces were black with the multi
tudes gathered from many States to witness
the ceremony Of the dedication.
When all were in their places. and quiet
aad been secured, the Hon. Wheelock G.
VeazaY, exCOmmander-in-Chie of the u.
A. R., advanced to the front Of the platform
and delivered the Introductory address The
Rev Charles Parkhurst ID. of Boston,
editor of Zion'S Herald, then offered prayer.
and Governor {. S. Page delivered the
address of welcome Then Ex-Governor
B. f. Prescott, OF New Hampshire. Pres
dent of the Bennington Battle Monument
Association, was received with enthusiasm
rs he stepped forward to transfer the mOnu-
ment the result Of the associations many
years of effort, to the care and keeping OF
the State. Governor Page accepted the
noble offering in brief speech. Music
followed, and the President OF the day,
General Veazay, came forward leading the
orator of the day, the Hon. Edward j.
Phelps. A roar of applause greeted their
appearance and when the last murmur had
died away Mr.. Phelps delivered long ora
ton.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Phelps's Grafton,
President of the Dav VeaZey intro iuced
rric0 who yOTO-
longed cheers and made brief address
1t was late in the afternoon when the
President finished, and the literary exer'
cises, 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 NermOnt, where the troops
and other organizations were dismissed The
escorts and carriages proceeded to the large
tent near the Soldiers Home, where the ban.
Duet was served, over 1000 people sitting
down to the table.
large tent on the grounds OF the Soldiers
Home more than $500 persons sat at the
tables and 1000 more stood in the
alsles Speeches were made by
President Harrison, Governor Russell, o.
Massachusetts,: Governor Tuutle, of New
Hampshire; General o. 0. Howard, Genera
Russell A. Alger, Secretary Proctor, AttoI-
ney-General Miller, General Alex II. Webb,
OF New York; Ex-Governor Rice, of Masse-
chusettS, and Others.
A fine display of fireworks, witnessed by
great crowds of people. was given on the
grounds of the Soldiers Home in the even
ing. A notable feature of the display was E
grand historical pageant of fire pictures.
representing heroic scenes in Vermont's PCS
history.
After leaving the banquet the President