The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-15
Hon. George n. Bliss Addresses
Veteran Citizens Association.

The regylsr meeting OF the Veteran
/ Citizens Historical Association was held
yesterday afternoon at the Mathewson
street NJ. 4. church.
After the reading OF the records by Sec
} retary Gallagher. several new members
were proposed and elected The acting
president. Mr.. Gammen, then introduced
Hon. Geo. n. Bliss. who delivered an elo-
quent extempore address. on his Expert
ences I'm Camp, on the Battlefield and in
Prison During the War as Captain I'm the
First Rhode Island Cavalry"
Captain Bliss first spoke of the excited
political condition OF the country I'm 1860.
and said he heard the hot-headed Yancey
defend secession, and other politicians in
tho North, but when Sumter was fired
on, and fell, the war was on, the great
est OF the century. and all parties rose as
one man to defend and restore the flag
Like Patrick Henry. he believed, expert
ence was the lamp by which our feet
should De guided. Victories and defeats
attended this terrible bloody war and re-
suits caused many mes'by the fitness or
uniitness OF commanding officers. He be-
heved In the best fitted officers To lead,
no matter how low or humble their origin
or whence they sprung lie did not believe
In the recent dictator;al dictum, OF the
distinguished admiral and the gunner best
qualified by fitness and merit as an en-
sign should be selected, Annapolis or no
Annapolis, and IL 10000 admirals say no,
he would oppose them.
The distinguished soldier. just gone so
sincerely moUrned as national loss
rose from the ranks, and the log cabin
OF the West over 800 Of the commissioned
officers OF RhOde Island IN the war rose
from the rank and file ot the troops. The
history OF the war proved conciusively
that It's Victories depended largely upon
the valor, merit and fitness OF the men
appointed 20 lead the brave. heroic and
distinguished soldiers and 50 ilors OF the
American army and navy. In that long
bloody contest for free and undivided
country.
Capt. Bliss then gave summary OF
the history OF the cavalry regiment dur
ing the war.
IL was composed OF eight Rhode Island
companies and four New Hampshire COM
panies and was fortunate In having an
efficient and well drilled soldier for its
colonel, who was very popular with all
In the regiment. and who by his military
strategy. tact. formations and courage
ELECTED encomiums OF praise from the
rebel troops aud officers.
The regiment took part IN many OF the
battles OF the war including Bull Run,
frederioksb Chancellorsville and An
tletan and this he thought one OF the
blpodiest 90 the war, excepting Gettys-
burg. Gen Lee always put all hts men in
and fought them, and he believed n Gen.
Mcclellan had put Ia The 1900 men he
kept back aud pursued Gen. Lee ne could
have destroyed the rebel army at that
time
ON other occasions also We met defeat
by part OF the army Being kept back.
notably ~ tho case OF Cen Hooker. when
his army might have saved the day When
Gen Meade. who was rather unpopular
by his waiting tactics oensgrcd Gen.
sheridan. he answered he was haltlng
~ his orders. but wished to follow the
enemy. When Gen Meade referred the
case 10 Gen Grant. The reply or Genera
was III Gen. sheridan says he can cap
ture the enemy hadn't yoa better ict
Gem Aeiidan give battie. And Gen shcr-
idaH did and defeated Gen. Stuart and hts
forces.
In one Of the last battles and engage
nenis OF the Rhode island regiment. go
were captured. killed and wounded
Anohg the prisoners at that time he was
taken 10 Tie libby prison
Capt BLISS closrd his very interesting
address with description OF the prison
fl~ ui'r treatment ilId lupIiSoument
therc. and lis hnal joyful exchanse with
rebel prisontrs. and his return 90 the
Union army.
vote ~ thanks and q hOquet from The
treasurer were rendered the speaker FOR
bis eloquent address.
After the distribution 81 pamphlets ~
th1 recent addresses of Dr King ana NJ
Arnoif ard The reading OF memorial pa
peg in honor % Mr. Josiah Webster by
Mr. cook and of Wm 81 Brown Dy Mr.
Gallagher OF motion the association ad-
J01rned.
Many dealers cell sdulterated tea"
said the shopkepper: but mine Is per-