The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-17
Buck|in Post, G. A. R., Has an Unusu-
ally Interesting Meeting.
The Records at the Town Hail. Other
Matters Of General Interest.

Last night was one OF tho most auspi-
cious occasions in the annals Of Bucklin
Post. No. %. G. A. r. 1t had been set
aside as Prisoners Night" and the
members OF the town council, Thomas
r. Salisbury Camp, Sons OF Veterans, and
the Fourth Division Of the Rhode Island
Naval Militia were In attendance.
The meeting was called to order by Com
mander Philo p. Hawkes. and the men,
bers of the post and their guests took
seats at the tables placed across the floor
OF the hall After a prelude by a volun-
teer orchestra of young men from Touis-
sett, Mass, a bounteous spread was par
taken of.
After supper there was some very inter-
esting speaking by various veterans who
had been in rebel prisons during the soul
stirring days OF 81.
Commander Philo p. Hawkes. In few
well chosen words introduced as toast
master Past Department Commander
David s. Ray who thanked the COM
mander for his pleasant introduction and
in behalf of the post called on Hon.
George N. Bliss, who related incidents OF
army life
He expressed appreciation of the fact
that when anyone was invited TO gather
around the campfire OF the post they al
ways did so. assured that a good time
was in store.
He said that the ranks OF the post were
getting thinner each year but that what
members Of the post were alive were very
much so. and that a reunion OF them was
a most enjoyable affair
Mr.. Ray presented Department Com
mander Hodgson. who delivered an In
| teresting address. He spoke OF the good
feeling of the Grand Army toward the
Sons OF Veterans and Naval Reserves and
said they had a warm place in his heart,
and he knew when the time came TO take
up the work OF the Grand Army they
would do II we'll.
| He spoke OF the horrors suffered by
! Union soldiers In Andersonvtlle and other
southern prisons He told OF the monu-
ment placed at Andersonville in honor
OF the northern boys who died there
! during the war.
mons D. Guhd of Attieboro. a member OF
the First Rhode Island Cavalry. He
spoke In eulogy Of Comrade Delanar, who
died at AndersonviIle, and told OF his
death. at which he was present. He said
they were taken prisoners by the rebels
together and related their experiences
while in southern prisons.
Col. Chase next made interesting re-
marks, after which Capt Hubbard of
| Providence delivered an interesting ad-
dress. relating TO an interesting meeting
between himself, while prisoner OF war.
and Confederate officer, who had known
his relatives in Newport before the war.
The speaker related several interesting
| incidents OF his experience as prisoner.
He spoke huently. and was heartily ap-
James Mallon. of the starboard watch.
after an interesting prelude read a poem
composed by himself. In the poem ne told
OF the manner in which the cavalry for
ayers had taken all the fresh meat be-
| n TFtx ~ aatI Inr.
| consequent scarcity of provisions when
the latter arrived
Hon. s. s. Rich was next introduced.
He expressed regret that his colleague.
Col James Fl. Arlington. was not pres
ent. and said he was there In spirit. II
not In material sense. He felt honored
expressed sorrow that he was not par
taker OF the spirit engendered by com
radeship. which he considered Of higher
the fact that the veterans had fought for
a common principle in the time OF danger
must be. source OF consolation to those
who had suffered for liberty's cause
). 8. Williams OF Prescott post spoke
with considerable fluency In regard to the
trip to Andersonville. He also spoke OF
Lieut. Martin was introduced and gave
a very interesting talk regarding his life
I'm Libby prison. telling OF the priva-
tions the prisoners suffered on the march
20 the prison.
At this point. a selection. which was
heartily applauded. was rendered by the
Past Department Commander Daniel r.
Ballou was introduced. and spoke very
! fuently regarding the experiences of men
whS were Prsonsrs tso Of the cy He
OF an anecdote Of Joseph M. Blake, which
he related.
He said the blackest stain upon the
Southern escrutcheon was the barbarous
| manner In which prisoners Of war were
practically murdered in Southern prison
pens.
lie said: I'VE could forgive the South
for the atrocities to union prisoners but
we cannot forget nor could the angels
nsm.syss sc ,ss forset sass tSs He
diers. who. while suffering the pangs OF
/ torment In Southern prisons. had refused
to 60 over ..r to them the enemy; He quoted
I from starvation and other causes in the
prison pens of the South
Major Horton Of Attleboro was next
/ introduced and his address was an in
| teresting one. He told OF the number OF
men from HIS state buried at Anderson
vile. lie told OF the manner IN which
Y Union soldiers hnd been treated and the
! indgnities which they suffered both be-
fore and after death
He also read n very touching poem
1 descriptive OF the war times. which was
heartily applauded.
Sergeant Pickersgiil spoke on behalf
OF the Sons OF Veterans. lie delivered a
brief but eloquent addrss.
In behalf OF the naval reserves Lieut.
william c. Bliss made some very inter
esting remarks and told of some Of the
experiences OF the naval reserves while
IN the service. The lieutenant proved
an eloquent speaker and was heartily
applaudcd.
\ Walter II. Durfee spoke In an interest
ing manner. Mr. Durfee was "A member
I of the commission for the erection of the
monument az Anderscnville.
Mr Kenyon. cf Johnston. another com
I missioner Comrades " J. PickersRill
/ N,Iliiar, McTwfcean and t-'ouncIlmen