The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-11-09
Vermont Officers Society.

The twenty-ninth annual reunion of the
Vermont Officers Society was held Thurs
day afternoon and evening About fifty at
tended the business meeting at the state
house, which was presided over by Colonel
U. A. Woodbury., the president of the So
ciety. A committee on nominations sub
mitted the following board OF officers for
the ensuing year: President, Major Josiah
Circuit; vice-presidents, Lieutenant Il. w.
Jewett OF Swanton and Major j. e. FL
dredge of Warren; secretary, Colonel Fred
e. Smith of Montpelier; treasurer, Major
l.. G.. Kingsley of Rutland; executive com
mittee, General W. w. Henry, Colonel U.
A. Woodbury. and General I. S. Peck of
Burlington. IT was voted to hold the next
gathering at Burlington. Appreciative me-
mortal resolutions upon the death of Com
rade William Wells, the third president of
the society, were read and are as follows:
" ResolUeo, That in the death, since our last
reunion, OF Gen. William Wells, who was
the first vice-president of this society, its
third president, and until his death one OF
its worthiest and most prominent members
this society has sustained an irreparabe
loss. General Wells was brave soldier
and capable and successful commander
enjoying the respect and affection of his
men and the fullest confidence of Sheridan
Custer and every superior officer under
whom he served. He was true Vetmonter;
a philosophical citizen a ligh-minded
man; a faithful friend and comTade. His
luhbItSb III his DIOiutT O0ttTS ana SOiulerS
and in this society was unfaiing; aud its
surviving members will deeply miss his
cheerful face and wise counsels, at its meet
ings; that we extend to his widow and
children our sincerest sympathy, assuring
them that we share their bereavement and
that those who were so dear to him will
always have place in our interest and re-
gard; that the secretary he instructed to
spread these resolutions upon the records,
and to send copy to Mrs. Wells"
Colonel W. G.. Veazey, on behalf of the
Vermont officers, presented a handsome
corps badge to G. G. Benedict, the military
historian, in recognition of his labors on the
volume, Vermont in the Civil War" The
badge is of heavy gold, with blue enamel,
and a gold band in front. 1t is of a lozenge
shape, and represents the Third Brigade,
Third Division, First Army Corps, Army
of the Potomac. On the diverse side is
the inscription, "Colonel G. &. Benedict,
18th Vermont Infantry, aide-de.camp on
staff Second Vermont Brigade; state mill
tary historian; from Vermont officers, who
in this manner desire to show their APP
probation OF his book, Vermont in the
Civil War" Colonel Benedict happily re-
sponded.
In the evening came the Grafton of
Colonel Joseph II. Goulding, secretary of
civil and military affairs. Representatives
nan was iilled by an appreciative audience.
Colonel Goulding's text was based on a
statement that we have often heard, the
colored troops fought noby." The orator
told how the sable cohorts conducted them
selves on the march and on the battlefield
and showed what potent factor they were
in determining the result of the struggle
Colonel Goulding was in the cOlOred SER
vice, and knows whereof he spoke. His adj
dress was without attempt at oratorical or
rhetorical effects, but it was the clear
strong, graphic narrative, soldierlv in style
and spirit, of one who had lived the things
lnss vrf.,gw -.
ingly well told and heard with the deep in
terest ever accorded to the story of death
and hardship in the cause of the Union.
The speaker was frequently and warmly
applauded.
The annual banquet was held at the Pa
vilion. Every seat in the dining-room was
filed, and the overflow had to seek chairs
in the small dining-room. An exception
ally large number of ladies were present
Colonel Woodbury. presided, with Colonel
George w. Hooker as postmaster.
After disposing of a well-selected MENU
the flow OF "reminiscences and of wit and
humor began. The exercises were opened
with selection by the Apollo quartette con-
sisting of Fred w. Bancroft, w. S. Chap
man, b. NJ. Shepard, and G. F. Lowe. Gov
ernor Fuller, who is emulating President
Harrison in his ability to make short
Veazey spoke of 1.-THE President of the
United States" and paid warm tribute to
President Harrison. Ex-Governor Farm
ham responded brightly for the ex-governors,
and Northumberland Stranahan for the
senate, the selected wisdom and virtue of
the various counties. Farrand Stranahan,
son of the acknowledgements, charmed the
assembly by reciting Joaquin Miller's
Shenandoah" a sad tale of the Virginia
valley.
AT this point Colonel Hooker took hand
in the toasting, and called upon" a man who
had never taken premium in an art gall
lery," Department. Commander Hugh Henry
of Chester. The latter kept the crowd in a
laugh for several minutes, and gently roasted
Colonel Hooker in return. Colonel George
T. Childs of st. Adams spoke for The
Loyal Women of 1916" and made the
best speech of the evening. Speaker Stick
ney spoke for the house of representatives.
and Colonel j. j. Estey for the Vermont
National Guard. Rev. Mr.. Ranslow, chap.
lain of the senate, was called up by Colonel
Hooker with the story of the parson who
took his trousers to the tailor for repairs.
The garment was found by the man of the
goose to be so thoroughly worn out, except
at the Knees that repairs were impossible
The parson very cleverly countered on the
wicked colonel and made bright speech.
Frank l.. Greene of st. Adams surprised
his friends of the press at an adjoining table
by burst of eloquence on the topic, THE
Sons OF Veterans General Stephen Thomas
received great ovation when he rose in re-
sponse TO Colonel Hooker's statement that
eighty years ago dynamite was introduced
into Vermont - General Thomas" The
general made good speech which was fire.
queutly interrupted by applause The
quartette rendered several selections during
The evening