The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-24

The tenth reunion of the Fifty-sec-
ond Pennsylvania Volunteers dnfan-
try was held in this city yesterday
and resulted in a gathering from many
places and distances, of several hun
dred veterans. They were busily oc-
cupied throughout the day and until
late hour last night.
AS the members arrived during the
the morning they registered at the
rooms of Lieutenant Ezra Griffin post
No. 139, G. A. r., on Lackawanna ave-
nue. and made that place their head
quarters until noon when lunch was
served in Music Hail. There the af-
ternoon business session was held and
was followed by a supper at G
O'Clock. The camp fire, always an i'm
portant part of a veterans reunion,
was held in the evening.
In the rooms of Griffin post the sur
ViVors spent nearly the whole of the
later morning hours, seemingly loath
TO miss such a good opportunity for
greetings, talks of war time exper-
fences and homage to Colonel John
c. Dodge, of Dodgeville, Mass, the
first commander of the regiment, and
who, as related in yesterdays Tribune
arrived here Wednesday afternoon.
Colonel Dodge plainly shows the ef-
feet of years and the infirmities he con-
tracted during the war which have
until now prevented his presence at
the reunions of the men he command
ed in the dark days of the Republic
Comparatively few of the members
had seen him during the lase thirty
five Il
setts in the the town named for his
father but in 1850 moved to William
sport and engaged in the lumber busi-
ness. He was for a time commander
of the State militia and was assistant
inspector general under Governor
Packer.
A BIT OF HISTORY.
At the beginning of the war Colonel
Dodge was given command of the Fir
ty-second but at Morris Island con-
tracted the lameness and many debili-
ties which forced him to retire. The
regiments first engagement was at
Fair Oaks, Va. 1t took part in the
Peninsular campaign under McClel-
Ian, was one of the most active COM
mands and is able to boast of hav-
ing approached nearer to Richmond
than any regiment.
The regiment re-enlsted January /
1864, at Morris Island, S. c., and has
the pround record of being under fire
more days than any other regiment
in the United States service during the
civil war. During the siege of Char
lesion it was continuously under fire
for more than five hundred days, a rec.
ord of active service that no other or
ganization can show.
While in the post rooms Colonel
Dodge was always surrounded by
a group of his men, who received
with much satisfaction the announce.
ment that he would lead them in theiI
short march of two blocks to Music
Hall. They reached there about moor
an enjoyed a splendid lunch served
by the Womans Relief Corps of Griffir
post.
The afternoon business session be.
gan at 2 o'clock. President Major
George r.. Lennard, of Wilkes Barre
presided. The secretary and treasurer
Fl, G, Miller, of Kingston was presen
and attended to the duties of his Office
Others on the stage We're Colone
Dodge, and at times several ex-mili
tary and past civil officers of the regi
ment.
Music Hall had been elaborately an(
appropriately decorated. Leading from
the central chandelier in the ceilinl
to the top of the gallery posts wer,
streamers; the national colors, a scor
or more Of them, We're draped in {
semi-circle along the ceiling above
the gallery and overhung the windows
the gallery railing was concealed by
continuous draping of red, white anC
Were arranged as portieres on each sid
of the stage.
AN HISTORIC FLAG.
The historic flag possessed by tn,
Fifty-second. the first United State!
emblem to be placed above Fort Sum
ter and Charleston, after the war be
gan, was conspicuously suspended a
the right of the stage. 1t was faded
tattered and torn, but priceless, never
theless, to the regiment, indlvdually
and as a body.
When President Lennard called tn
afternoon meeting to order the follow
ing survivors and members, many o
them accompanied by their wives, ha,
been registered.
Field Officers-Colonel John c. Dodge
Dcdgeville, Mass. Peter Alldred, hospita
steward. Pittsburg; DR. j. G.. McCand
sss' Plttsburg, Pa. Commissary Ser
geant s. T. Roberts, West Plttston