The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-07-21
VETERANS AT WESTERLY.
The First Regiment and Battery En-
tertains the Governor and Others.


The twentieth annual reunion of the
First Regiment aud First Battery ERODE
ISLAND Detached Militia Veteran Asso-
citation is being observed at Westerly to-
day. At 7:45 o'clock the regiment formed
at the Burnside monument and headed
by the National Band made a short
parade through the city, embarking on
the train for Westerly at S:l5.
On arrival at Westerly the association
and invited guests were received by Col
III. G. Card, members of Co. J., the mill
tary organizations, Budlong Post, No Is,
G. A. r., Hancock Post, No. 81, G. A. r.,
G. w. Steadman Camp, S. Of ", Women's
Relief Corps, and the citizens committee
extending the invitation. The association
and guests were then escorted to the Dix
on House, where they were entertained
by the citizens committee during the
to Grand Army Hall. where the business
meeting was held. At / o'clock the as
sembly met at Armory Hall, whore the
line was formed, proceeded to the Dixon
House. received the invited guests and
marched to Armory Hall, where a ban
quet was served At o'clock a short
march was made. Upon arriving at Dix
on House square there was dress parade
and review by His Excellencv Gov. ID.
Russell Brown, staff, invited guests and
the citizens of Westerly.
During tho afternoon session speeches
were made by members of the association
and invited guests. Among the guests
tlefield, Hon. John G. Wyman, Gen.
Olney Arnold and James Harris. Gov.
Brown held reception to the public from
11:30 to 1890 o'clock,
The committee of arrangements was as
follows; David Sunderland, chairman; j.
m II \ - Due ehar
tary; Archie C.. Thompson, Charles II.
Ledward, John McCuIloch, George w.
Capwell, Mrs. Eliza Merritt, Mrs. Eliza
L. Clarke, the Hon. Samuel II. Cross. The
reception committee and entertaining
committee, u. s. Senator Hon. Nathan
Gross, Secretary OF State George II; Utter,
Il. Court Bentley. K. +. Whipple, the
Hon. Orlando r. Smith, William Hoxsey,
G. B. Bliven.
Gov. Brown spoke as follows:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN, AND MEMBERS OF THE
FIRST REGIMENT AND FIRST BATTERY OF
THE RHobE ISLAND VETERAN AssooIA;,
reception you have given to me and my
staff officers. was pleased to accept the
kind invitation from the citizens of West
erly, and to join with these veterans in
their annual reunion. think it is well
that you should come together on this
anniversary of the great battle Of Bull
Run, where you so nobly proved your
courage, and maintained the honor Of our
State, aud fought for our common coun-
try. Your meetings will serve TO keep
alive memories that are dear to every
loyal Americans: memories that can only
be fully realized by you, who from
spirit of patriotism, answered our ma
tion's call in that hour OF awful peril
~ cannot help catching something of
the feelings that are stirring your hearts
to-day, when remember that i am ad-
dressing those who were the first TO re-
spond from our State to that call. and
who went forth TO fight for the Union,
under the leadership OF the brave Burn
side, commander, and our states
man and friend. No general was more
generally beloved. Educated for n sol
der, he served with credit IN the Mexican
war, and as your colonel, he won your
confidence by his soldierly bearing. and
merited that faithful support that yeu
always gave to him. His State Is proud
First Regiment; but for the other laurels
he won AS General Of the Army of the
Potomac, and as Senator from TINS State.
And IL is the pride that will not lessen as
each generation succeeds to IL.
I'm the War OF the Rebellion this State
served her part faithfully. IL is not my
intention To rehearse the record of her
patriots--that You know full well-but i
cannot refrain from speaking OF our war
Governor. who, by his quick sense Of
honor and enthusiastic patriotism. fired
the hearts OF his citizens Gov. Sprague's
presence on the field was an inspiration
10 you, and his ready response TO Presi-
dent Lincoln's call quickened the Gov
ernors of other States to action.
"Our State Is proud OF you and all her
sons, who, not only in battle, but outside
the field, performed every duty which
gave help toward the great victory that
was so triumphantly secured at Apo
mattpx.
You are seemingly all able-bodied men;
able aud willing TO earn comfortable
livelihood. Thank God for that, aud we
may also rejoice that all disabled com
rades are being so well cared for. The
day will never come when our govern
ment ceases TO rec cognize the debt OF graft
tude we owe TO the living, and guard the
riVhts OF all her loy nj people aud care for
them when In need"