Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-11-02
tlr.l Yermont Ca,aIr, Reunlon.

The 9th annual reunion OF the First
/ Regiment of Vermont Cavalry, the only
mounted organization that the state has
ever put into the field, was held at Ran
dolph last week Thursday. There was a
\ fair attendance, the roll cali showing the
I presence OF about 90 members. Nine new
members were admitted. A business
meeting was held at g. A X. hall ~ .. m.
at which the following officers were elect
| ed :-President c. II. Gotta. ST. Adams:
secretary, :. FL Woods, St. Adams; treas
urer, W. l.. Greenleaf, Burlington; vice
presidents, one from each company, as
follows:-Co. A, II. c. Smith; b, A c..
Z, John Mudgeit; F, o II. Dudley; g.,
VIM. Joyce; Il, II. o. Edison; /, Geo. w.
Weber: X, II. Il. Burge; L. Geo. L. Nc
Bride NJ, NJ. NJ. Parker. The date of the
next meeting was fixed for some time
during the next legislative session at
Montpelier. Initiatory steps were taken
towards securing history OF the regi-
ment, TO be written In sections, to be con-
tributed by members, each section taking
up certain period. The unanimous
thanks OF the organization were extended
to L. s. Grant Post, @. 4. r., and to Com
mander j. +. Eldredge for use OF the hall
and assistance In arranging and conduct
ing the reunion.
At O'Clock a banquet was served at the
LION HAIn Nliu
was taken to G.. A. x. hall, where a camp
fire was held. Capt j. +. Eldredge gave
a very cordial address OF welcome in
which be eulogized the regiment. This
was responded to By the president of the
society, c. j. Bell OF Walden. Informal
speeches, anecdotes, "reminiscences. etc,
we're delivered by Commanders NJ. NJ
Durham. Blake. II. G. Hickok Of Wake
field, Mass, W. l.. Greenleaf, Moffitt, Hop
kins, Gotta and Others. Mr.. Hickok's
talk was especially well received. Letters
OF regret were read from members scat
tered all over the Union and Canada.
The reunion was successful, and as en-
jovable as any that have preceded il.
The history OF the First Vermont Caval-
~ constitutes a valuable page In the an
nsls OF the great civil war.
or the 25s cavalry regiments in the ser
vice during the war, few, II any, took /
part in more engagements than did the /
First Vermont, which spent three years at
the front and participated In IS battles 1
and skirmishes and won reputation as
one Of the best fighting regiments, stand |
ing fifth in the list OF calvary sorgsniza-
tions suffering the greatest loss in killed |
and mortally wounded.
The whole number In the regiment was 4
2, 304, aud of this number 1872 were lost by T
death, 1859 dying IN Confederate prisons.
The regiment was recruited by Lemuel
b. Pratt. who was its frst colonel. The 4
regiment was mustered into service Nov.
10, 1861, and on its journey to Washington
required 159 cars for its transportation.
II met the enemy for the first time in the
Shenandoah valley April is, 1862, and its
maiden effort was notable for that DASH
ing valor and fertility OF resource for
" hich IT afterWard became remarkable.
In the campaign under Pope during six
months service the regiment lost 3l9
men, which loss was made good by the
Y. Woodward.
Guerrilla leaders engaged portions OF
he regiment during the winter OF '63,
but most of the engagements were COM
oaratively bloodless. June 18th the regi.
nent was attached to the cavalry corps OF
he Potomac, and remained with II TO the
,lose OF the war. Ii won fresh laurels on
he field OF Gettysburg under Farnsworth.
The First Vermont was in the opening
igh BIT OF the battle of the Wilderness; was
With Sheridan in his expedition to Rich
nond and experienced 90 DAYS hard service
ind fighting before going into camp at
Light House Point on the James 10 re-
,ruit. The regiment under Col. VIM.
Wells who succeeded Col. Preston, Joined
Sheridan before the battle of Winchester,
md won three OF the eight medals award
ID to the army OF the Shenandoah at
cedar Creek. Ii was active at Five Forks,
Ind at Appomattox hsd just been ordered
% charge a rebel supply train when news
" Lees surrender came.
Co. c was raised in this vicinity ard
many OF its survivors were present at this
'eunion.