The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1903-10-08
THE EIGHTH'S REUNION

when the business meeting was called
to order on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Capt L. M. Hutchinson of this city
presided and in the absence of Secre-
tary @. NJ. Ferrin of Essex Junction,
Capt. b f. Bowman of Randolph
acted in his stead The election of
officers was taken up and resulted as
follows: First vice president, Col.
Fred e. Smith Of Montpelier; second
vice president, Capt. G.. o. Ford of
Kirby: secretary and treasurer. @.
M. Ferrin of Essex Junction.; execu-
tive committee, w. H. Gilmore, Fair
lee, Capt. L. M, Hutchinson of Mont
pelier, Perry Porter of West Burke.
obituary committee, Maj. J. l.. Bars
tow of Shelburne, John Blsbee of
Newport, A. p. Hawley of Passumpsic;
chaplain, H. r. Page of North Troy.
Major j. L. Barstow as chairman of
the obituary committee then presented
his report which showed that nine
members of the regiment had died
during the year. Major Barstow
spoke at some length on various ones
mentioned IN the report, speaking es-
pecially of Capt O. II. Smith and Col.
Fred e. Smith of this city, and paid
tribute to Lieut. Col. Il. NJ. Brown
whose death made the first break in
the circle of original field and staff
officers of the regiment. This field
and staff consisted of Col. Stephen
Thomas Lieut Col. E. NJ. Brown,
Major Charles Dillingham;, Adjutant
John L. Barstow, Quartermaster Fred
E. Smith, Surgeon George F. Gale,
Assistant Surgeons II. II. Gillett and
Chaplain f. Q. Williams. OF these
Col. Thomas and Quartermaster
Smith live in this city, Major Dill
ingham at Houston. Tex, Adjutant
Barstow at Shelburne, DR.. Gale at
BrattleboIo and Dr. Gillett at Post
Mills.
A pleasing feature of the afternoon
session was paper by Comrade y.
S. Cooper of Skaneateles, N. Y, in
which the war history of the Eighth
Regiment was reviewed. In closing
Comrade Cooper paid a most fitting
tribute to Gen. Stephen Thomas. The
association extended a vote of thanks
to Mr.. Cooper for his address and to
Brooks Post for the use of its hall.
The secretary was directed to send a
letter of sympathy to Comrade W. IL.
Chllds of Fairlee who is seriously ill.
During the afternoon collection of
$l4. IA was taken. On suggestion of
Capt. Bowman it was decided to hold
a regimental reunion at the time of
the national encampment of the G..
A. r. at Boston next year. The ar
rangements for this event were left
with the executive committee. This
reunion will not interfere with the
regular annual meeting of the associa-
ton.
At O'Clock the veterans sat down
to a bountiful supper, the kind always
served by the ladies of Brooks Relief
Corps, which is sufficient explana-
ton of the quantity and quality of
the viands. The long tables of the
banquet hall were filled to OVERLOOKING
and the supper was greatly enjoyed.
Afterwards the veterans and large
company of friends gathered in the
hall for the evening campfire. Major
Barstow presided at this and prayer
was offered by Chaplain Page. Mayor
Cory spoke for the city and his effort
was a happy and fitting one. He
eulogized the old soldiers and spoke of
the need of monument here in Mont
pelier to the memory of her soldier
sons. Hon. Joseph A. DeBoer of this
city was the next speaker and in in
Producing him Gov. Barstow said he
was the president of Vermont's great
est corporation but was without civic
or military title. He very happily
added. however, that the State pro-
vosed to bestow title upon him at
no distant day. Mr.. DeBoer was
given hearty greeting and spoke
eloquently on the results of the war,
comparing the condition of the coun-
try at its outbreak with the condi-
tions today.
When General Stephen Thomas rose
to speak he was greeted with storm
of applause, which continued at fire.
quent intervals throughout his adj
dress. The General spoke of events
in Vermont at the outbreak of hos
tilities, and of the work and record of
the Eight Vermont, praising that
regiment highly, but not more highly
than it deserved.
Capt. L. M. Hutchinson of this
city gave a very interesting account
of the recent journey of Vermont SOL
diers to San Francisco and of the ma
tional G. A. r. enompment at that
city. Following this there were re-
marks by other members of the associ-
alton, all of which added to the sue
cess of the thirtieth reunion.