The Portland daily press., 1898-05-05
THE LOYAL LEGION.
Annual Meeting Of the Commandery
Of Maine.
GEN. CHARLES w. TILDEN ELECT
ED COMMANDER.
Pleasant Reunion at the West End
Hotel-Paper by Major w. III. Green
Some Of the Post Prandial Speeches.

A Pleasant Reunion at the West End
Hotel-Paper by Major w. H. Green
Some Of the Post Prandial Speeches.
The Maine Commandery of the Loyal
Legion of the United States held it's
annual meeting last evening at the West
End hotel There was large attend
ance and the occasion was thoroughly en-
joayed. The following companions were
elected to membership: Alexander Cross
man Dennison, in succession to Com
panion William Edward Dennison, Act
ing Volunteer Lieutenant U. S. NJ, Dan
Vile junction to be member of the first
class. For the second class George OrIs
Smith, eldest son of Companion Lieuten-
ant Joseph o. Smith of Skowhegan. For
member of the first class Victor Welles
MacFarlane, Major 18th New York
Volunteer regiment OF Greenville, Me.
The following officers were elected for
the ensuing year:
Com1nander-BrevetB Brig Gen. Charles
W. Tilden. U. S. V.
Senior Vice Commander-Surgeon Seth
G. Gordon, u S. V.
Junior Vice COMMUNICATIONS Sid
ney w. Thaxter, u. S. V.
Recorder-Brevet Maj. Henry S. Bur-
rage, U. S. v.
Registrar Maj. Holman S.
Treasurer-Cartain Thomas J. Little,
Chancellor-Lieut. Charles W. Roberts,
Chaplain-Chaplain Hiram A. Phil
brook, U. S. v.
Councii-Brevet Lieut.. Col Edward
Moore, U. S. "; Captain William W.
Whitmarsh, U. S. "; Major Chares II.
banks, U. 8. V.
At the close of the business meeting a
bugler from Fort ::..Preble, who was
present, sounded the assembly and the
companions fell into line and marched to
the dining hall where Landlord Cashier
and his able assistants had spread the
long tables in preparation for the ban
quet. The tables were bright with silver,
deliberately decorated with cut flowers
and potted plants and magnifcently
served by neatly costumed mattresses. Be-
fore the commander ordered the as
semblage to be seated the bugler appeared
at the door Of the dining hall and sounded
the most Beautiful Of all calls, unless it
be "taps," the call to the colors. In an
instant the veterans were on their feet
and facing the door of the hall where
Major Melcher entered with the beautiful
silk flag of the commandery, guarded by
Captain Thomas Little, the treasurer and
Lieut.. G. W. Roberts the chancellor of
the commandery. The assemblage cheered
and applauded wildly when Old Glory
was brought into the hall and placed in
position Of honor behind the commanders
scat.
Chaplain Hiram A. Phiibrook of Mid
dletown, Conn, offered prayer and the
banquet was then served. After the ban
quet Major William 81. Green of the 18th
Maine regiment read paper entitled
'"From the Wilderness to Spotsylvania,
including the battle of May 18th, 1864. !"
Major Green after briefly reviewing the
events which led up to the Wilderness
campaign told in very graphic manner
of the movements on the night of May
18th, when the second corps was moved
out in front of Spotsylvania to capture
the confederate works. In the early
morning of May 18th the attack was
made and taken by surprise, the Union
troops captured 5000 men and twenty-six
pieces of artillery, besides taking Major
Gen. Edward johnson prisoner. This
latter capture was made by two men of
the 18th Maine Regiment. Major Green
went on to tell of the terrible conflict
which ragged for twenty hours around this
point in the desperate attempt which was
made by Gen. Lee to recover possession
of the works which had been lost. In this
engagement the Union army lost about
5000 men and the 18th Maine went into
the engagement with 449 men and officers
and came out with only IL officers and
100 men. The story was we'll told and
as intensely interesting and at the close
Major Green was given a vote of thanks
by the commandery.
Judge Percival Bonney was called up
on for few remarks and made a brief
speech, in which he said that the same
spirit which was manifested by the boys
of 81 is being shown again today and
from the present conflict he hadn't a
doubt but what the American troops
would emerge victorious.
Gen. West of Washingt on, D. c., who
once commanded the 18th Maine, but who
was wounded in the Wilderness campaign
told an anecdote of Gen. Grant which
was received with great applause.
Gov. Henry B. Cleaves was called upon
and he was given an ovation when he
| arose to speak. He said among other
things that more than thirty years ago
the war came to an end in which the men
| who were present at this banquet had
borne an honorable part We recall most
wildly those days whom the young men
OF Maine went forth to uphold the integ-
rity, honor and glory of this great re.
public They went forth not to fight for
conquest, but tc preserve the honor of the
union. When that conflict closed, when
the arms were stacked the noon day sun
lig hted up stronger, better, more en-
during republic than the world had ever