Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-13
"COME AGAIN."
Say Soldiers Home Boys to
DahIgren Post.
A Pleasant Visit by Massachusetts
Men to Comrades at Togus.
The Post Returns Home Delighted With Their
Trip 10 Maine.

all, and the most beautiful part of it all is
the beauty of nature. Man has succeeded
in making many wonderful and beautiful
things, but the beauty of nature Is beyond
his skill. Visitors who come here at this
time OF year are struck with the beautiful
display of flowers in different parts of the
Home grounds. They are so scattered
however, that one can form but a poor idea
of the number of Towering plants.
There are over 1000 silver leaf geraniums
and more than 1900 of other varieties. There
are 1900 coeus of different colors, nearly
all used 10 the different corps badges which
add SO much to the beauty of the grounds,
and between 5000 and 5000 petunias.
1t took about 2O00 apalanthus to form the
beautiful "Union and Liberty, l8GllSG5'
in front of the hospital. These letters are
three feet high and symmetrical in form.
There are over 100 South Amer-
lean bronze leafed Gamma, very
rare, distributed in different places
about 1000 euceranthus, from 300 to 400
fuschias of various colors, while of hello
tropes, hyderangias, leokoye, Gala lilies,
etc., there are almost an innumerable Lum-
ber There are II different varieties of
me gonias, 100 Japan ounce, also host of
golden syrngias and vergelias. In the
square enclosed by the main buildings the
display is especially fine. Near and around
the residence of the governor are many
beautiful designs The display in front of the
trecsurer's house is elegant, also that in
front of the commissary of subsistence.
The designs in front Of the hospital and
scattered in other localities are all beauti-
full. The rockeries, covered with flower
ing vines and wstered by sparkling foun-
tains, are all beautiful. All are in good
taste and all add to the beauty and attrac-
tiveness of the place. How beautiful are
these treasures with which the Kind Father
above has bestrewn the earth, for the
qualification of all his children.
j. II. Higginbottum, veteran of Co. G,
23d Massachusetts, has for II years been
the landscape gardener. All this floral dis
play has been made under his immedi ate
charge. Mr.. Higginbottum has had alto
gether over 80 years experience in the
business and is perfectly at home IN the
place he occupies. He has during the sum-
mer five men keeping the lawns in order
and performing the other necessary labor.
The greenhouse where the plants are kept
in winter is 25x25feet, and i, heated by
steam from a boiler in small building an
nexed. The total cost is but small, and 1t
adds much to the beauty Of the Home and
this beauty is appreciated.
Saturday was a gala day. AT 80 A.
NJ, a long train over the k'nnebec Central
rolled up to the station, bearing Dahlgren
Post, No 2, of Boston, and their invited
friends, as well as large number OF excur-
.ionsts and Heath Post of Gardiner.
The visiting G. A. Il. boys formed in
line in front of the depot, and to the music
Of the National Guard band of Boston,
marched to Rockland street, where they
found the members of the Home drawn up
in line to receive them Opposite the main
1snd stand the orders, "Halt and front,
rere given, and then the Governor and bis
staff received the visitors. Governor
Stephenson, in a few well chosen words,
did them welcome, and rendered the hos
pitalities of the Home.
The line being formed for inspection, the
Governor and staff, accompanied by Past
Department Commander George II. Innis Of
Nasss chusetts, and the officers of Dahgren
Post, performed this duty, returning to the
reviewing stand.
Then came the orders, "Close order,
march" "Right face and forward march,
md to the music of the Home band, the
long line of men, who wear the blue, proud
ly marched in review. How they straight
ned up. How it revived memories of the
past The old boys did themselves proud.
After the review the visitors partook of
refreshments, and for the next hour and
,alf they went where they listed. They
united up old comrades, and the hunting
vas not all on one side. How hearty the
L
greeting and how cordial the handshake OF
cbese comrades 10 arms, many of whom had
rot met for years. Questions and answers
came thick ard fast All over the grounds
eager faces were lighted up with smiles of
recognition and welcome.
In the meantime, Governor Stephenson,
with Past Dept. Com. lnnes and Comrade
Smith of Dahlgren Post, behind the Gov
ernor's pair of blacks, were viewing the
surroundings of the Home in short car
riage ride.
Ar about lO. 80 the Home Band entered
he band stand in front of the Opera house
and gave the concert of the season. The
propramme was exceptionally fine, and the
first number, march written by Frof.
Theme and dedicated to Dahlgren Pest, at
once took the crowd. The overtuie
"America" was finely rendered and well
received. But when the last number,
"War Memories; or a Day in Camp in
1862" by Reeves, was given, 1t was SIMPLY
lust the thing for the hour. How the old
fellows. visitors and all, kept time and ap-
plsuded.
the Kennebec Central blows the recall, and
hastily the Dahlgren boys and guests fell
into line. and as Home, Sweet Home,
and ..Auld Lang Syne" came melodiously
from the National Guard band, thy
marched to the depot. "All aboard" comes
ali too soon and away they go amid ringing
cheers from the train and those left behind.
The weather was simrly perfect. The
reception and entertainment Of the visitors
sas entirely informal, and it was the SOL
hers cordial. hearty welcome.
Did they enjoy their visit heres Just
ask them! They came, they saw, they con-
ouered, and were conquered. 1t would be
hard to find finer-lookiug body OF men,