The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-09-27

peculiar pathos attaches to every re-
union of the men who wore the blue, no
matter to what branch of the service they
belonged. The animated countenances, the
strong emotion, the faltering step, the silent
tear, the furrowed cheek, and bending
frame, of an old soldier appeal with ire
sstible force to the sympathy and gratitude
of his countrymen. The twentieth annual
reunion of the Eighth Vermont Regiment
Association, held last Thursday at Mont
pelier, brought together seventy-five survi-
vors, who enjoyed the day as only old
comrades in arms can. The appearance of
some of the veterans as they marched to the
Montpelier & Wells River station to take
the train for Barre showed the inroads time
is making in their ranks, and was a pathetic
sight to the men of later generations.
The occasion throughout was most auspi-
cious. The weather was perfect and the
trip to the quarries in the afternoon was
hugely enjoyed. Returning to the hall at
five o'clock, the meeting was called to order
by General Stephen Thomas, the perpetual
president of the organization General
Thomas was colonel of this regiment and
the devotion of the boys to their old COM
mander was very touching. AS he rose to
call the assembly to order, he was greeted
by three rousing cheers and tiger. When
order was restored he expressed his graft
fication at meeting so many of the
survivors once more, and spoke at some
length of their deeds of valor and their
devotion to their country. Ia closing
he said: "My eyesight and hearing
are poor, but l always think that l have
seen more than most men have, ana ] have
heard more than have the majority of man
kind. L am proud of the love and esteem of
of such men as you. If | have little prop
erty to leave to my descendants when | am
gone, the knowledge that possess your con-
fidence and love is legacy of which any
body might be proud. If | should ever have
at,I ,hctn I fnr M
words of eulogy; but do want inscribed upon
that tombstone that | am an American by
birth and spirit and a lover of American in
situations | care for nothing else" Gre
mendous applause).
General Thomas then called Judge G.. U.
Lathrop of Williamstown to the chair. Dr.
9. NJ Ferrin of Essex Junction, the secre
tary and treasurer, read his reports, which
were adopted. Ex-Governor Barstow re-
ported for the obituary committee. Those
who have died during the past year are
Lieutenant Lewis Childs of Boston, Cor
poral Ezra S. Pierce of Lancaster, N. H.,
Allen Gould of North Cambridge, Mass,
e. f. Gould of Concord, n. H., and Henry
Downey of Belvidere. Brief sketches of
these men were read. In this connection il
is interesting to note that since the close of
the war only one of the original staff of the
regiment has died - truly remarkable
record.
At the election of officers which followed
MAJOR u. H. DdrSUOW Oh OH6lDurne ana
Perry Porter of West Burke were elected
vice presidents; DR.. G. NJ. Ferrin of Essex
Junction, secretary and treasurer; Captain
l.. M, Hutchinson and Col. Fred e. Smith
of Montpelier and General W. III. Gilmore
of Fairlee, executive committee; S. b
Hebard of Chelsea, chaplain; Major II. II
Gillette of Post Mills, surgeon; Captain
George N. Carpenter, Colonel Fred e
Smith, Dr. G. M. Ferrn and Major j. l.
Barstow, obituary committee.
On motion of General Thomas, the mem
bers of the First and Second Vermont Bat
teries were included in the Eighth Regi
ment Association. Major Alonzo Bowman
of the Twenty-sixth Massachusetts and Rev
consin regiments were elected honorary
members. Both these gentlemen mad,
brief remarks.
AT six O'Clock banquet was served by
the ladies of the Relief Corps in their hall
A campfire was lighted at seven o'clock il
the hall of Brooks Post, and burned bright,
for nearly two hours. Judge Lathrop pre-
sided A poem was read by Captain Georg,
n. Carpenter of Boston which contained
many bright and humorous hits on mem
bers of the organization. Among the speak
ers We're Captain S. b. Hebard, Captain l.
M. Hutchinson, Ex-Governor Barstow, A
b. Fisher of Burlington, General j. H
Lucia Rev. John p. Demeritt, Captain III
G. Lull and General Stephen Thomas. A
the latter concluded an eloquent ten min
utes' speech he was greeted with thre
times three cheers and tiger that made tn
windows rattle. Major Alonzo Bowman
Mrs. j. r. Seaver, for the Relief Corps
Lieutenant Perry Porter and Conrad
Chase also spoke briefly, and the meeting
closed with singing America"