The Press., 1902-06-05
Dedication of Soldiers MOnu-
 ment at Union.

menu at Union.
 Despite lowering clouds and threaten ing weather last Friday, Memorial day, all of Union Center was alive with people whose early days were spent upon shS hillside farms of this great lumber pro- ducing town. It proved to be great homecoming day, which is so popular of late among these cities and towns of New England. The veterans started for the outlying cemeteries about o'clock in the morning, accompanied by the Southbridge National band. They visited the North Ashford, the East and Union Town cerl1. eteries. Upon their return a bountiful dinner was served by the committee of the G. A. R. to the members of the D. P. Corbin post and out-of-town guests. Promptly at 1.30 p. m. the dedicatory ex- ercises commenced and the throng of peo- | pie immediately gathered around the handsome granite monument, which was located directly west of. the town house. Prayer was offered by the Rev. Charles E. Fogg, pastor of the Congregational church, and Milo P. J. Walker, former resident of Union and member of D., F. Corbin post, No. "A, in behalf of Mrs. David P. Corbin of Hartford and John W. Corbin of New York, presented the tablets and monument to the town by the following address:
 "It has ever been the custom. to erect monuments or public buildings to the memory of heroes or heroic action. What can be more fitting than that the granite, iron and bronze commemorate and per petuate the patriotism and self-denial of Union and her loyal sons ? Not only this, but as an object lesson to the pres ent and future generations. In the old days of the revolution Union took her stand on the side of freedom, sending 159 men to the field of sanguinary, strife, eight of whom were killed in battle-two at Bunker Hill, two in Virginia, one at Saltwater, one at New York, one at White Plains and one in Continental ser- vice. Several died of camp fever. and other disease incident to exposure. While her sons were in the field the people at home were toiling for subsistanceE They gave not from their abundance, but from
 
 was sheared in mid-winter, the wool card ed, spun and woven into cloth, that sol dier might be comfortably clad. When 1t was necessary to raise money to defray the expenses of the government, twelve and one half per cent was raised, and they de- clared they would not only pay this, but | would pay 1t twice or thrice if necessary Union was loyal and true. In the war of 1S12, when the British claimed the right to press our seamen into their navy, Union furnished her full quota of men to ! resist oppression and obtain for our sail ors the freedom of the high seas When the call came in 1861 to '65 to but down rebellion that threatened the dissolution of the union and ruin of the country, again Union sent sixty eight men. many of whom died in battle and in cons quence of wounds received and of disease. In '62, from Aug. 11th to Septs 10th, eleven enlisted in Go. l, 18th regiment. Nine oi the eleven were killed and wounded at Antietar6. Twenty-two enlisted in Go. G, 22d regiment, and one in Co F. Out of these two died in service. Comrades, we helped preserve for ourselves and pos terity the country which our fathers gave us. Union is entitled to much credit and our respect for her part in rearing this monument; also that loyal son whose patriotism and love for his native town has given 80 freely of his substance to commemorate the memory of Union's sol: dier sons, and to hand down to posterity the lessons of justice, freedom and Joy. alty; also Mrs. Corbin, who donates the bronze tablet giving names of soldiers also the one giving names of charter mem. bers of D F. Corbin post, No. "A, .ir memory of her husband, DIP. Corbin captain of Co. G. 22d regiment, G.W. IT behalf of J. w. Corbin, the donor ;. Il have the honor to present to the town of Union through her selectmen, this monument
 George Crawford, first selectman of ths town, accepted the gift for the town ii 2 very creditable manner.
 The remainder of the memorial exer cises were held in the Gongregationa church, where prayer was offered by Rev MT. Ashley, pastor of the M. E. churcl at Mashapaug, and where the address fol the day was delivered by Labor Commis sioner Harry E. Back of D Danielsdn. Rob ert B. Horton presided, and after the ad dress of States Attorney Joel H. Reed O Stafford Springs several of the veterans and guests were called upon for extempo raneous remarks, among whom were Johr w. Winch, Frank fletcher, Southbridge Mass; Leverett Snow, New Britain; Ros cius Newell, Three Rivers, Mass; Steph en Broadway, Woodstock Harrison Hor' ton, Monson, Mass; Rev. George Curtis Kent; Dr. George Lawson, Middle Had dam Harlow R. Back, Athol, Mass. John W. Corbin, New York William H. Corbin, Hartford Charles, ,Corbin Philadelphia; Alvarado Howard, Stafford Springs. ,ss.s..,. ...sa .,a.. ss
 Upon motion of Hon. John W.aGorbir rising vote was taken, expressing the deep regret of all present of the necessi. tated absence of Milton H. Kinney on ac. count of severe illness. MT. Kinney was expecting to preside during the exercises of the day, and to enjoy home greetings of his many friends.
 A constitutional oak had been planted by MT. Kinney, who represented his town at the convention this last tE.winter, direct. ly west of the soldiers monument. ssh
 The monument, which isaof, Monson granite, measures at the base about four feet by five feet, and stands. about six feet, with large cannon mounted upon 1t weighing $500 pounds. .eThefe are 6( balls, whose combined weight is s.0eG pounds, and are, evenly piled upon two granite blocks east of the monument. : S'esr 7@s 'f4 .sss ,.sa,s