The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-29
NO HARDTACK IN THEIRS.
MiIitiamen Feasted on the Fat OF
the Land.

Amid the softly vibrant, yet en-
chanting, strains Of orchestra music,
those SCARED veterans Of the Blue
berry War;" Of twenty odd years ago,
marched down the aisles Of the banquet
hall of the Metropolitan hotel last
evening, arm in arm with the more
youthful members of the guard. 1t was
the annual reunion Of the Veterans Ma
tional Guard association, and those who
participated in that bloodless war at
Brainerd joined hands with the muscle
and Drawn Of Minnesota military, and
delved into the memoried past with
pleasant "reminiscences Of days gone by.
The large dining hall was resplen-
dent with gallant lieutenants, dignif1ed
captains and the lesser members Of the
present guard, who were fntermingled
with griZzled boards, Of pioneer days.
The large dining room was decorated
with large flags and bunting in honor
on the occasion, while the tables were
embeIlished with cut flowers Of all de-
scriptions The spirit of good will, and
the happy sentiment of the ball room,
was added to by the presence of a half
dozen survivors of the old Pioneer
Guard" who graced the festive occa-
sion.
Among the sixty-four present were
many of the leading militia men in the
state. In fact, nearly all those who had
been in the service five years or over
were either present or sent their regrets
Capt. Ed. S. Bean, recently enrolled
member of the association, was present,
with gentlemen of the national guard
from all over the state.
Promptly at SIS, following the bust
ness session of the association, they
marched into the large dining room,
where they discussed an excellent menu
of twelve courses, after which a half
nctC 6n6
E. S. Chittenden occupied a seat at
the center of the middle table and off,
ciated as POSTMASTER. A number Of
letters Of regret were read, among
them a breezy one from Senator
Nelson. Col. Page also regretted that
he would be unable to attend on ac-
count of previous engagement. Gen.
Bend was unable to be present on ac-
count Of being called to Washington.
Col. Bobleter sent his regrets, having
unfortunately selected the same date
for the dinner which he rendered the
officers Of the Second regiment. Sam
Worden also sent his regrets. Mr..
Chittenden first introduced Col. E. NJ
Van Duzee, of the Third regiment, as
the first speaker. Before doing so he
said that he regretted that a number
were unable to be present; while he was
glad to see so many Of the militia men
again. he felt like organizing a court
martial to try those who were derelict
in their attendance. Col. Van Duzee
spoke briefly on his connection with
the National Guard in fourteen years
service When he first Joined the guard
1t was to please some of his friends
more than anything else 1t was with
great pleasure that he reviewed the
past fourteen years. He would con-
tinue a member as long as he was old
enough to hold the rank Of colonel, af-
ter which he would go back to the
ranks with the boys. Mr. Van Duzee
spoke of the early struggles of the
various National guard movements.
Mr.. Chittenden then introduced Aid. Shep-
ard as one of those SCARED Blueberry vet
Grams. Aid. Shepard told how they were
called out at midnight, and the next morning
at O'Clock every man in the company was
on hand with the exception of two that they
were unable to get any word to. He thought
people were inclined to make fun Of the trip
to Brainerd, but at the time there was no
fun in it as they were quite In earnest, end
they did not know that encounter would
take place. Mr.. Shepard said he had never
been mustered out from that company, and
he still served his state as milltiaman.
Mr.. Shepard tod story on W. A. Van
S.yke, who at the time quartermaster.
He said during the trip they had soda
crackers dried beef, and cove oysters as the
ouartermaster's stock He told of Incl
dent during their stay in Brainerd where a
couple of the privates were missing from
camp and upon belng lCoKSd Tor, were found
deeply interested in game of poker He
thought the discipline better now
than it had been in the '70's.
POSTMASTER Chittenden next introduced
another representative of the Pioneer guards.
whose record unblemished. 1t was they
who were on hand during the uncertainty of
territorial days, and whose efficiency was
was proven time and time again by their
ready response to any call on them for aid.
The speaker was Gen. ]. W. Bishop.
Gen. Bishop went back to the very early
DAYS national guard dOings and the
times. He told how he published the Chat
field Democrat during the early days, which