The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-02-20
The Vermont Veterans Association
Cf Boston.

The Vermont Veterans Association
of Boston and vicinity had good time
at the seventh annual dinner of that
body, and its members turned out in
force. Among those present, in addi-
ton to the pre- sident of the association,
DR.. E. j. Foster. Eddy, were the guests
of the occasion, Hon. Urban A. Wood
bury, governor of Vermont; Hon. Will
liam p. Dillingham;, ex governor of
Vermont; Msjor-Generals William B.
Franklin of Hartford, Conn, and Will
liam F. Smith of Philadelphia; Briga-
der General Martin 7. Mcmahon, who
was A. A. G. Sixth corps; Hons. John
G. Ropes and George o. Shattuck Ut
Bos on; w. A. Wetherbee, commander
department Massachusetts,, G. A. r.;
Hon. Edgar L. Sherman, judge of the
superior court; Rev. DR.. Arthur Little,
Rev. DIR. Richmond Fisk, and other
members of the association who are
prominent citizens.
Governor Woodbury. was greeted
with three cheers and tiger, followed
by cry of elbows that, GOVERNOR"
The governor told some stories which
set everybody laughing. The old Yer
mont Brigade covered itself with glory,
as did the Second Vermont. The First
Vermont Brigade stands first in the
whole list Of brigades in regard to the
losses in the civil war.
Major General William B. Franklin,
commander of,the Sixth Corps, was re-
ceived with three cheers and tiger. 1
am glad, said he, to see 80 many here.
want to say few words about your
brigade commander Of the First YER
mont Brigade, General William T. Fl.
Brooks, who was the the best brigade
commander, I think without exception,
in the Sixth Corps. l believe that q
great deal of the glory that has come
upon the First Brigade, and incident
ally upon Vermont, through the dOings
of that brigade, is due to this man,
Brooks. AS man and as a soldier, he
was a model.
Major-General William F. Smith, Or
ganizer of the First Brigade, who was
warmly received, said: 1t is very
pleasant for me to be here tonight. If
there is anything in my record, it is be-
cause l always loved the Vermont
troops. was one who had confidence
in the men from Vermont to put them
together into brigade, determined that
the state of Vermont should win or
lose by the repution of her soldiers. l
was very proud of the reputation they
won, and | always felt little of the
glory they achieved was reflected upon
me. l was not in command of the
brigade for many days, and it was
another who really led you into your
first battle and disciplined you. am
glad to say that happened to have the
privilege of the selection, and I gave it
TO him because l had known him as an
officer of the army, and because knew
his father was from Vermont.
Major-General Martin Il. Mcmahon,
who was adjutant general to General
Franklin, also had an enthusiastic re-
ception. He told some interesting sto.
ries of the war to illustrate the kind of
men who made up the First brigade of
Vermont. He regarded that as the
best brigade Of any army of the world.
The men knew each other, and their
state pride gave them an esprit de
corps not felt by brigades in the larger
states.
Rev. D.. A. Little finally spoke of
"Old Glory" expressed the gratitude
which the people owed to such men as
those who had spoken. The American
flag, said he, represents the wealthiest,
the most progressive and the most
humane nation-the nation which was
making the most progress in all the de-
partments of civilization and was offer
ing the grandest possibilities for human
life and destiny on the face of the
earth.
Brief addresses were also given by
several others of the veterans present.