The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-09-14
VETERAN GRAYS REUNION
PLEASANT SYST ANNIVERSARY GEL
 EXEMPTION AT BRANFORD POINT.

Great Jollity on the Trip-Exceilent Clambake and Plenty of Fun-Oldest Living Veteran in Attendance.
 The last trip for this season of the speedy steamer Margaret was made yesterday to Branford Point, on which occasion she carried down the New Haven Grays, veterans and actives. There were nearly ninety of the former and almost the entire company of the latter. Many of the veterans came from a distance to take part and the reunion of the old-timers as cele- bration by the younger element. For aged MT. Amos BostWick it was a great big birthday party. Yesterday he reached his eighty-second milestone, though in appearance and activity he seems fifteen years younger For a number of years he has come up from his home in Brooklyn to be present at the company's anniversaries The vet erans are very proud of their old com- rade and yesterday many of them in congratulating him wished him the happiness of attaining his desire to round out the century and be present at the roll call in 1900. ..
 The intention was to leave Belle dock at 2 o'clock, but as usual half hour went by in waiting for stragglers. The scene on the decks of the Margaret be- fore the lines were cast off was that of a reception. Old comrades in arms who had not met for half a generation recognized each other despite the changes that passing years had made in their appearances. Such hearty hand shaking and genuine welcomes it is doubtful if they ever experience ex- cept from the friends of early man. hood. Of course mutual inquiries about how each was prospering were sure to follow the greeting, and inquiries about some 'other fellows" until still another face with something familiar about 1t appeared up the companion way, and then there was repetition of what had gone before perhaps score of times already.
 There were colonels and majors sev- eral, and captains and lieutenants more, with numerous sergeants and corporals, and the privates not quite so numerous. It seemed as if nearly all of them had at some period or other won the distinction of chevrons at least, and if the speaker forgot his listeners rank it was almost invariably recalled to his mind.
 The veterans congregated on the for ward deck, and the actives when they came marching down from the armory scrambled up and took possession of the hurricane deck, where for while they made the welkin ring with their cheers. The Second Regiment band took up it's station in the saloon and gave a concert. In fact, in every way the half hour at the dock previous to setting out gave promise of the good time to follow.
 After the steamer had got down the bay the wind blew so hard that the only place where conversation could be engaged in without megaphone was on the lower deck aft. Thither every body repaired and especially after the word had been passed round that there was something refreshing on tap. And the band moved down to enliven things; and so it did. Good nature was infectious and there was an abundance of fun. The veterans enjoyed them selves to the full, but they laughed over the antics of the young fellows more. The latter could not contain then- selves. They howled and sang and dis ported themselves like frolicsome colts. In couples they danced, in squads they shouted at the top of their voices: first in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of the New Haven Grays" for anybody that it struck their fancy so to honor. Once half the company formed a big circle and danced round and round the band while the latter played stirring piece. At another time there was a comical digging ex- hibition by a score of them. One by one the young fellows would leave their positions in the ring and endeavor to show their abilities in the dancing line. Some of them did we'll and all of them were appreciated. In fact some of the s'vets' felt stirred to show their old time achievements in the same direc- tion, but the sea was a. little too heavy for a successful exhibition by any but good sailors or rollicking actives.
 Then, too, for @ change, colored quartet, made up of the Margaret S deckhands, was urged to sing. Though somewhat reluctant at first, the sight of half hatful of silver change, col lected by "Ben" English from the au- dience, gained their consent to favor the crowd with some darkey melodies MT English tugged away at big bur ly co1ored fellow and urged him, Come brother come on; get in there and sing" But after one song he urged the ''brother' no more. With such jollity the two-hour sail toward Bridgeport and then back past New Haven tc Branford Point went quickly by.
 On arrival at the destination the vet. erans had an experience that was not down on the programme. The actives lined up on the landing in two ranks and the "vets" were invited to run the gauntlet Most of them accepted the invitation and showed the youngsters how they used to do the double-quick After that was over all fell in an6 marched to the Branford Point house headed by the band. Alongside the ho tel are some big rocks, and at thei, base the whole company was grouped for a photograph. Away up above clambering over the crags, the actives took their positions, with the aldermen and officers at the bottom. The spot was an ideal one for a picture.
 An excellent shore dinner was soor
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