Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-09-14
THIRD MAINE INFANTRY.
18th Reunion Of the Kernebec Regi-
ment, Held in Augusta.


Ihe ousloess meecog vas Called 70 or1ef
by Secretary William McDAvii Of Augusta.
George b. Erskine Vas elected president
pro tempore. Later Lieut.. Hannibal A.
johnson OF Worcester. Mass. the president,
arrived and assumed the chair. The Bos-
ton boa; had come in late and he had been
delayed in getting to the meeting.
The role WAS called and 9S survivors of
the regiment responded to their names. OF
these ahou. so came from Augusta. these
gentlemen, with their families and friends
raised the number in the grounds to about
1870.
The deaths Of eight members during the
past year were announced. The treasurer
announced balance on hand of s2ll.64.
The following officers were elected for
the ensuing year:
P,esiden,-Surseon George Z. Briekett
of augusta.
First vice-president-J. Edwin Nye of
Auburn.
Second vice -president-George T. Benson
of oakland.
secretary-william McDavid of At
gusta.
Corresponding secretary-Lewis Selbing
of Augusta.
Treasurer-Caps. George S. Fuller OF
Hallowell.
Chsplain-Rev. Reuben A. Wen.sorth
of New York, formerly of Hallowell.
Surgeon-Surgeon A. G. Fuller of Bath.
Votes of thanks were extended Col.
Henry G. Staples, proprietor of Oakxood,
and the Maine Central Railroad and Kenne-
bee and Boston Steamboat Companies.
II WAS voted to hold the 2oth reunion
Wednesday, September 18th. 1894, at
Auburn.
AT l o'clock all present adjourned to
tables placed under the trees, where Caterer
Stafford and his assistants served a''clam
and bean dinner" tha, all seemed to enjoy
and which was certainly good.
The greater part of the afternoon wss
devoted to social reunion, reminiscenoe
and sightseeing. At six O'Clock a bounti-
full supper was served and shortly after
ward campfire was held, which will be a
memorable event in the annals of the resi-
ment.
Long before the hour for opening TIE
campfire, the pavilion, in which it was held,
was crowded and when President Hannibal
A. johnson called the assembly 10 order
there were at least 800 people within the
building and, probably, a couple Of hun
dred more outside and scattered about tht
grounds.
The first thing done was the election OF
Postmaster W. d. Stinson as an honorary
member by unanimous vote.
The following is the programme of th'
exercises:
Music, Higgins Military Bsnt
Call to order and opening address.
Address of welcome,
His Honor, Mayor Leighton
"Sfate OF Maine," Gen. Selden tsnnoi
Music Bant
History of The Third Maine"
Hon. s. W. Matthew
: United States Government
Postmaster W. D. Stinsoi
Remarks, Hon ". +. Dire"
Mnsir Banf
"son. of yeteraus." +. G. Mliken. E.q
"Pres." Howard owen. ESQ
Address, Rev a. =. Nhtt
Music, Band
Remarks,
Col. W T. Eustis and Hon. II. VI. HEATH
The meeting was an enthusiastic one anf
every speaker was given generous applause
It was noticeable that nearly every speaker
had something to say upon the present ad-
ministrations of the pension department, and
that not one had aught but blame for the
methods recently pursued.
Lieut.. Johnson of Worcester, Mass,
who presided, made capital master OF Ger
emonies and admirably introduced eael
speaker with brief and appropriate remarks
He was a prisoner at Columbia, S. c., fo'
nine months, and with four others broke
through the guard On November 20. 1864
and reached the Union lines at Knoxville
Tenn, on Jan. I, 1865, after 40 days OF
untold suffering.
Mayor Leighton extendei the regiment
cordial welcome from Augusta ard ths
Augustans in simple, but dignidei Ian
gusge. He spoke of the pfom;nen; place
Augusta held in The record Of the days OF
the war, having been the center of the mill
tary operations Of the State and the rendez-
vous for all its troops before they were
marched to the front
Gen. Selden Conno-, an Ex-Governor OF
the State he was called upon TO speak for
spoke as might have been expected of
scholarly man, brave soldier, loyal cit.-
zen and an honoYed public servant.
Hon. S. ". Mathews was brilliant sue
cess as an historian and read paper re-
plete with valuable facts, showing the Thin
Maine to have had record for bravery,
h .rd service and hard fighting of which an,
regiment might have been proud. The
whole number of enlistments was 1886;
killediana wounded, iS9; died Of disease.
l33 Of whom died in Rebel prisous), l49;
total number of deaths, 2s3; total Of killed,
wounded and died of disease, G3s.
Postmaster W. d. Siinson mads a uons
speech. the keynote of which was the lesson
of patriotism taught by the war. He also
spike Of his keen sense Of appreciation OF
the hiyh honor that had been done him by
his choi,, a3 al ,1,l-J m.m5er.
Hon. W. P. Drew of Philadelphia, made
some remcrks that proved to be one of tie
marked features Of the exercises. Mr..
Drew vas an Augusta boy and at the out
break af the war vas private secrstary to
Gen. o. O. Howard, the colonel command
ing the Third Maine. Mr.. Drew delivered
sn eloquen: oration, which sboundei II
fcrcible thought, interesting reminisence
scholarly and tender pathos. Although
named BY himself an ''interlopef" Mr.
Drew proved . welcome guest. ~ was
shown by the frequent and hearty applause
be received.
Estate Peu,ion Agent z. c. Miliken
made an earnest appeal for the order Of
Sons Of Veterans. speaking - one vho vn
At once q veteran and son Of = veteran.
Howard Owen, ESQ.,, made one Of his in
imi.abIe and laush:er-provokins speeches,
closing. however, With splendid tribute to
the Third Milne, Of which he has the priv
iIsge OF being an honorary member.
Rev. A. C. White Of PeppsreE, Mass,
formerly Of Augusta, vss introduced -