The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-09-29
STUFFED THE SOL DIERs.
Biddeford Citizens Tender a Banquet to
Company G.
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.a

b1ddeford, September 2S.-B1ddeford's
old soldiers and young soldiers sat down
together tonight and partook of a ban
quet fit for king. The banquet was
gotten up by Biddsford's patriotic women
and was the browning feature of a recep-
ton rendered the volunteers of Co. g by
the city gov ,rnment and two Grand Army
posts.
When the Biddeford volunteers returned
home from Augusta last week they were
given royal welcome. Tonight's affair
ton therein limited to the seating eapacl-
ty Of Wheelmen's hall.
The members of the city government
men in Mayor Stones office, while the
veterans Of Sheridan and Grant posts as
sembled at Grand Army headquarters,
and together they marched to the Bidde-
ford Light Infantry armory. and behind
Painchaud's band escorted the boys of &c.
g to the banquet hall.
They found the tables laden with tempts
| ing yiands and thanked by 25 of B1dde-
| ford $ prettiest young women, who had
been selected as walters for the occasion,
while as many more members of the two
relief CORPS and other loyal women were
in charge of the serving room. The
spread would have done credit to any
imported caterer. The menu was elab
crate and the food all Of the best quality
and excellent1y served.
Among those at the head table were
Mayor Stone. members Of the two branch
es Of the city government. Col. L. 81.
Kendall and Chaplain T. .P. Esterbrook
of the irst Maine regiment, Capt. Il. S.
Gowsn, Lieut.. John NJ. Akerley and
Lieut.. Charles e. Jeffrey of Go. g.
Before the banquet began Commander
Richards of Sheridan post, acting as
| chairman of the occasion, made brief
address, after which Chaplain Esterbrook
offered prayer and Mayor Stone then de-
livsred an address of welcome. He said
that the citizen, as we'll as the soldier.
has a duty to perform. 1t is the duty of
| the citizens at the present time, to reoog-
nize the service of the volunteers and in
some manner to reward them for that
service. He had heard the prediction
| that, in view Of the treatment of the men
| in the late war, the country would find
it difficult to obtain volunteers in case of
any future national trouble, bat he be-
lieved that SO long as the people of the
county appreciate patriotism, self-denial
and self-saoritice, there will always be
men enough to defend our flag. Let the
institutions of this country be in danger,
and the liberty Of the people menaeed,
and three millions of men will come
forward to defend the honor of the
country.
The mayor added that the Maine vol
unteers are just as much entitled to credit
and honor as the soldiers who saw
actual service at the front. They were
ready to 20 wherever sent, and they did
their full duty.
After the banquet Angie Cleaves.
sweet voiced little miss, sang "Star
Spangled Banner" A cake was presented
10 Captain Gowen, In behalf of the ladies,
and handsome sword was presented to
Lieut.. Charles E. Jeffrey by the citizens
of Biddsford, in appreciation of his SER
vices Lieut.. Jeffrey was in command
of the company, in the absence of Capt.
Gowen and Lieut.. Akerley, when the
Maine troops were ordered home from
Ohiekamauga.
Chaplain Estabrook, representing the
sword, paid high tribute to Lieut..
Jeffrey. The recipient of this gift was
called upon for speech. He said he was
thrown somewhat into confusion by this
attack; he had been preparing, during the
last few months, to meet surprises OF an
entirely different character. He claimed
no credit for the good showing of the
company, but said the credit was due
to the men in the ranks. who had en-
dursd privations and hardships. He ex-
pressed the hope that there would never
again be occasion for The drawing OF the
swor in defense of the country and the
flag.
Rev. FIR. P. P. Linehan, pastor of st.
Mary's church, formerly of Portland
made brief speech in which he highly
complimented the Maine troops and said
they should be remembered and honored
for all time. He paid tribute to Chap
lain Esterbrook, of whose kindly minis
trat1OnS In the CnlCkauduBd caLup luuCu
has been said and written.
Alderman George 81. Hussey spoke in
behalf of the aldermanic board, Mr..
Joseph 7. Mason in behalf of Grant post,
and Capt Timothy Elliott welcomed the
volunteers in the name of Sheridan post.
Capt. Elliott referred to the testimony of
the examining board of surgeons about
the transmission of disease by flies at
Chickamauga, and he took occasion to
remark that "there were no flies on the
boys of Co. g.
Brief addresses were made by Capt
Edwards of the reception committee and
Mrs. G. N. Weymouth of the banquet
committee.
The last speaker was Col. L. a. Ken
dali of the First Maine regiment He was
given an enthusiastic ovation. He des
cribed the trip of.the Maine regiment to
the southland, related numerous pleasing
incidents of camp life and spoke in glow
ipo %or,,,e of the behavior and soldierIv