The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-09
OLD SEVENTH.
Veterans of the Regiment
Hold a Reunion.
Business Session Was Held
and Officers Elected.
Badge of Ninth Army Corps Pre-
sented 10 President Lewis.

Volunteers went To Bristol yesterday and
held the annual reunion of the regiment
in Grand Army hall. The veterans as
sembled at the base of the Burnside mon
ument i'm this city at Q o'clock in the
morning and marched to the steamer
Awashonks At Bristol they wore greeted
by the members of Babbitt Post COM
manded by John II. Adams. The visi-
tors were escorted over the main streets
headed by a fife and drum band.
The column halted at the residence OF
Miss Julia Babbitt on Hope street, at one
time tho residence of her father, MAJ.
Jacob Babbitt, of the 9Th Rhode islaha
Volunteers, who was mortally woundeu
at the battle OF Fredericksburg, Dec. la
1862. When the veterans halted, zen.
Xenns X. Bliss, u. S A, retired was
coming down the steps. He was accom-
panied by Maj. Ethan A. Jcnckes. Ibree
hearty cheers were given for Gen. Bliss
who was colonel in command or the 'th
regiment at one timo.
MET AT THE STATION.
Gen. Bliss and party were met Mt the
railroad depot by Edward :. Babbltt,
who escorted them to the Babbitt resi-.
dence on Hope street. Gen Bliss reviewed
his Old command, and then entered a car
riage in the line, when the procession
moved to Grand Army hail. An iufor'
nal reception was held fer few minutes
during which some of the veterans OF the
1th met for the liTst time since tho war.
Mem beIs of the Woman's Relief Corps
from other towns in the state were
present, and were assigned seats at tho
reunion. The place was completely hlled
there being nearly hundred people
President Lewis were Gen. H3nas X. Bliss
Mai. Ethan a. .Ienckes, Mayor John w.
Davis of Pawtucket, eX-Lteut. Gov.
William T.. G.. Wardwel. h. ;. Babbitt.
Conspicuous on a stand IN the centre OF
the hall wes the bride ana saddle used
by Mai. Babbitt Of the 1th Regiment the
time he received his death wound before
Fredericksburg. 1he trappings were an
object OF much interest TO the members
of tho 7th, VINO family recOllected them
i'm tho Cos. Tho saddle and bride were
presented TO Babhitt Post only short
while ago by a son of the owner, Il. >.
Babbltt.
BUSINESS MEETING.
The business meeting of the association
began shortly after III o'clock, President
Nathan b. Lewis of Kingston presiding
In his opening remarks Judge Lewis re-
ferred 10 tho early records of the state in
Revolution and the mon who went from
this state 10 battle for freedom, also what
Rhode Island troops had accomplished for
the nation in the Civil war
Prasidont Lewis introduced Gen. Xenas
r. Bliss The veteran officer was greeted
with enthusiastic cheering. He SAID he
was not public speaker, but conveyed ca
the audience the impression that he was
much gratilicd at meeting his old com
RADIOS IN arms after SO long period, AMI
at tho reception accorded him.
The introduction of Major Ethan A.
.Jenckes, a former officer of the Seventh
and at one time president of the assOoia-
tion, followed. He recalled past memories
of service in tho Seventh and of the bat
ties iu which the regiment participated,
esnecally that of FredericRsbUrg lie
referred tenderly To the men Of the regi-
mentswho fell in battle.
y9HE AWARD OF a MEDAL.
n Secretary Charles w. Hopkins read u
newspaper clipping giving an account of
tho Congre esSional medal for gallantry,
awarded TO ComradeJ Joseph Iaylor Of Com
pany T. Seventh Rhode Island, who, single
handed, captured three rebels at tne Dat-
rio of Weldon Railroad. Va, in 1864 and
brought them prisoners 20 Union camp.
Coiafade Taylor was present and was re-
auested ny President y. b. Lewis TO step
to the edge of the platform, where he was
formally presented with the medal by
Gen Il Il Bliss. 1t has a resemblance ia
the regular Grand Army medal and is
made of bronze with clasp and ribbon.
On the reverse side is the iDscr ption
"Congress to Private Joseph Taylor, Co.
+, 7th H. l. Vols, for gallartry ut Vel
don Railroad, Aug. Is, 1861 -
Comrade Taylor is resident of Lowell,
Mass.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
The following officers were elected
President, Nathan H. Lewis of Kingston
first vice president Edwin *. Allen of
Hopkinton; second vice president, James
Il. Merrill Of Quincy, Mass. secretary.
Charles w. Hopkins Of Providence; treas
urer Mander A. Maynard of Worcester
executives committee james U. Phelps
of Bristol, Nathan :. Bassott of Paw
tucket, Charles II. Perkins of LIMERICK
and Arthur W. Dean of pheuix; ensign,
BENJAMIN IL. Pierce Of Providence.
The next mid.wint.r reunion will be
held OH Dec. l3 next, the anniversary of
the Battle of Fredericksburg. The fol
lowing committee was appointed: Elisha
g. Knight Of Providence. William H..
.Jovce and Secretary Honkins.
EX.Gov. John W. Davis was introduced
and made brief remarks.
ADDRESSES MADE.
Remarks uerllueub tO lne OcChslOn WcTe
also mado by ex-Lieut. Gov. Wardwell,
and others.
President Lewis called attention To tho
fact that there were two companies Of the
7th-F and Kin which there was money
still due the mem Ders for clothing since
the Civil war. The members wished %
he treated the same as the ith Rnod q
Island Regiment. and that tho mem bers
should ho repaid with interest Tho mat
ter had been brought To tho attention Of
the Legislature. but without success 80
far.
\ committee consisting OF Judge y. H.
Lewis, William q. Harrington Of Moosup
ana Geo. &. Hall Of Davisvilc. was ap-
pointed Co bring tho matter before the
propcr authorities.
Just before adjournment at | o'clock. a
vote ot thanks was extended 10 l3abbitt
Post for cOurtesieS extended.
Dinner was scry sd In tho banquet hall
aud during this gratifying part Of the
dsy < exercises President Lewis was pre-
sonted with n Grand Army badge, an
emblem OF the gth Army Corps. hy Com
rade James d. Iuswell, on behalf of the
association.
Party wagons were taken at oclocl,
and the veterans went to tho soldiers
Home whore they were entertained with a
Wow of the premirus and A collation.. AZ