The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-08-21

New President
The 18th Maine Regiment veterans
were blessed with delightful weather yes
terday for the celebration of their $50
anniversary which took place yesterday
aft the Portland Club House, Great D1a-
mond Island and which called out an at
tendance of over 800 people, the largest
in the history of the association. Line
only thing to mar the complete happl-
ness of the day was the forced absence
of the generous host of the o occasion, Cor
poral Charles A. Morrill, OF Chicago, VINO
was detained here by sickness.
The Association, formed at Bosworth
Post Hall at 9 a. M, and heaueo ~
Chambers band marched to custom
House wharf where steamers were taheh
for the island. Upon arrival a0 orea'
Diamond the party went at once TO inc
club house where delicious pfeaAlas'
was served and couple OF hours was
s,ant in social intercourse and the re-
newal of old acquaintance, Whlle ohaho-
ler's band +, formed delightful concert
programme on the veranda
THE BUSINESS MEETING
was called to order by President Geo. W.
verrill. The records of the previous
meetings were read and approved
A vote Of thanks to Col. Edward Moore
was passed for his hospitality at the pre-
yious reunion.
The treasurer's report was read and ac-
cepued.
le neurology was read.
The election of officers resulted IN ohe
choice of the following
President-Col. Edward Moore. =,
Vice Observation-Disclosures A. Morflil,
Danyille B. Stevens.
Secretary and Treasurer-Geo. .. u.
Soule. -,
Directors-A. r. Abbott, G. Warren
Richardson. VIM. II. Green.
Col. Moore declined the presidency, and
Adiutant Charles W. Roberts was chosen.
Mr.. Roberts declined, but the assoclatlon
would not listen to him and insisted up
on his acceptance.
Col. Moore addre sed the association IN
regard to the annual reunion OF the
Third Army Corps to be held at PORT
land in May next. 1t will especially com
memorate the memory of the late Gen
Hiram E. Berry of Rockland who was
killed at Charlottesville while CALAMITY
eading his brigade.
A telegram was read from Corp. Charles
A. Morrill, Of Chicago whose guest the
association was yesterday, stating no was
ouite i'll and regretted his inability to be
present and wishing the association God
speed.
A telegram of coincidence and apprecia-
ton of his hospitality was sent him by
the association.
LETTERS OF REGRET.
Capt Verrill received amor others the
following interesting letters
Portland, Me-, August 10, 1895.
To Cant. George w. Verrill, president 18th
Maine Regiment Association:
Dear Sir-I regret very much that CIR
cumstances prevent my acceptance OF your
INVITATION to attend the 33d anniversary
of the muster of the 18th Maine Regl
ment.
The reunions of the veterans OF the late
war possess a charm and attraction not
to be found sin those Of any other associa-
tion of men of their day and generation.
envy every man who has the honor
To wear the old red patch of kearney' S
division. the first distinctive bad ge
adopted by any subdivision OF the Union
Army. | do not think 1T lnvldious TO
iay that it remains today the most hlghly
listinouished of all badges adopted by
nualiy gallant corps and divis ons of
ne army, for the reason that upon the
ogiments that wore it devolved far more
han a proportionatc share OF the battle
osses of the war.
More than 20 years after the close OF
he war, sufficient time having elapsed to
Eliminate errors and romance from the
,ccords, detailed and exhaustive state
nent of regimental battle losses shows
hat of the 1000 or more Infantry regi-
nents that composed thu Union Army,
4 suffered a loss of upwards of 200 killed
died of wounds received in battle, the
9TH Maine being one of tho number.
1t is of further interest to note that OF
he 45 regiments thus distinguished; 81
we're of the Army of the Potomac and II
we're of the Second Corps, comrades OF
the 18th Maine In the cavalry branch
of the service the 1st Maine heads the
list in the amount of it's battle losses and
In the Heavy Artillery Of the LIST Maine
holds similar honorable position.
Tt has been stated that When General
tJrdlU 1OlDcu UlG IiIltiJ VI VIZ eo''H''sAS
he was of the opinion that it had never
been fought to it's uttermost. A recourse
of the record would undoubtedly have
dissipated any such opinion, for up to
that time the Army of the Potomac had
lost in battle more than the general in
chief had ever previously commanded.
1t was source Of just pride to every
son of Maine that our state should be SO
exceptionally distinguished as to have a
representative regiment among those
known to have suffered the. greatest bat
tie losses in each branch of the service,
artillery, cavalry and infantry.
No other state in the Union Is thus
trebly honored.
Wishing the comrades of the old 18th
many prosperous and happy returns OF
the day, remain
Yours truly,
EDWARD c. SWEET.
GEN. HAMLIN'S MESSAGE.