Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-08-13

The Twenty-third Maine Regiment, al
hough il Was mustered out oil the SerN-
ice thirty-two years ago, held its nrst re-
union AZ south Paris last Thursday. GO.
r OF this regiment has for some wears
maintained an organization and held
regular reunions. Snd it was largely due
10 the efforts Of this company organi13-
ton and the captain Of the company, H.
y. Bolster OF south Paris, that the regl-
mental reunion was made an accom-
pliShed fact.
The Twenty-third Maine was \ nine
months regiment recruited from Oxford
and Androscoggin Counties, which went
ont In the fall az 1852. and was mustered
out the first Of July, l>6S. IL spent lt'
term Of service doing guard duty at sew
eral points along the Potomac, and was
never i'm action. but its death rate 10
camp was unusually large, indicating
something Of the character OF Its service
and the fact that il was never under nr,
was one for which its members were not
individually or collectively response
BILE, but il was the fortune good or bad
OF war. As Col. Luce saws, they Away
obeved orders, and did their duty faith
fully.
Ask member of the Twenty-third TO
day what kind Of a regiment II was, and
he will answer, without trace OF con
ceit. sWhv. sir, our men were the flower
Of the land" Aud so they seem TO have
been. The late lamented Judge Virgin
was colonel Of the regiment, and 10 It's
membership were large number of men
who have since the war attained promi-
nence In various walks Of life. The aver
age Of intelligence, morals and general
character was eqnal 20 that of any regi-
ment in the service, aud il has the name
of being one of the best drilled regiments
in the field. After IL term OF service was
ended. the larger part Of its men went
into the other Maine regiments, quite a
portion Of them going into the Twenty
ninth and the attendance al tins re
union would doubtless have been much
larger. had il not happened that the lst-
10th 29th association had reunion on
the same day.
Quite a portion of the members living
in the near vicinity drove in 10 South
Paris by team, and those already on the
ground with members Of VIM. h. MIN
ball Post, G.. \. L., went 20 the forenoon
trains 70 meet the comrades. The Co
nant family band furnished music for
the occasion.
After the arrival OF the trains, the
comrades assembled in New Hall, where
they were heartily welcomed 10 South
Paris by Capt. III. y. Bolster. tenn
porary organization was then effected,
with EnOs L. Luce Of Walthsm, Mass.
Northumberland OF the regiment, chair
man. and j. II. Barrows of Bethel secre-
tary. \ committee of one from each
company was chosen 10 consider the eN-
pediency Of forming regimental organ
ization, and another committee 10 aseer-
tain the names OF the comrades present.
An adjournment was then made 20
o'clock.
The regiment fell in for rations at Il
O'Clock. The dinner, one of the most
important features OF dsy like this, was
on a baked bean basis, and was in charge
Of the ladies Of the relief corps. The
ability Of the South Paris ladies as cater
ers is of more than local reputation. and
they never eXcelled their effort Gu this
occasion. Tables were set in New Hall
for two hundred, and a second table was
more than half filed. Certainly more
than three hundred sat down 70 dinner.
The afternoon meeting was held in the
vestry of the Methodist church The
secretary reported that the returns from
the several companies showed total OF
lSS comrades present.
The committee on organization report
ed through Capt. Bolster that II Was adj
visable 10 form an organization, and rec
commended that next years reunion be
held az Auburn. These officers were
then chosen for one year:
President. Col T. I. Luce OF waltham, Mas.
ViCe-President. Sergt- Enery b. Goss OF Au-
burn.
SECRETARY. Frank A. COnant of Lewiston.
Treasurer, Lieut.. James White OF Auburn.
Executive COMMITTEE consisting OF the officers
chosen with power % appoint local committee
OF arrangements
Col. Luce in accepting the office of
president made brief but affecting adj
dress, reviewing the history and charae-
ter of the regiment.
IL WAS suggested that Co. F ought 20
be reimbursed for its expenditure in con-
nection with the reunion, but Capt. Boil
ster, speaking for the company, grace
fully declined any pecuniary recon-
pense, and unanimous vote OF thanks
was passed TO Co. +. and William h.
Kimball Post and Relief Corps.
The time between meetings was spent
in a way that few except old army CON-
rades can fully appreciate. Comrades
who had not seen each other for years
met, shook hands, and talked over the
old times. The electric cars also had
good patronage from the veterans and
their families.
Governor Cleaves, q member OF the
was expected to be pres
emit. but telegraphed in the morning that
he could not be at hand until evening.
after falling in for rstions
again, the comrades formed and marched
TO the station to meet the evening train, |
and escorted the governor TO New Hall.
Here the days festivities closed with a
rousing campfire, with short speeches by
Governor Cleaves, Hon. John p. Swasey. |
Ex-Governor Sidney Perham, Rev. DIR.
J. C.. Snow, chaplain of the Twenty
bird, Capt. c. III. Prince Of Buekfeid,
md others. Misses Stuart and Richard
,ou and Mr.. A. L. Morse gave recita-
ions, and Messrs. Thayer, Briggs and