The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-06-30

maJ. D.. n. EluTeuR6 was bn0 uISt
speaker. He said that very often
when he heard of an old soldier who
was not a member of the association
he made up his mind that that man
was afraid his wal record might be
looked up and there must BIZ some-
| thing shady about it, He urged that
| all soldiers who had an honorable dis
charge should Join this association.
He told of the encampment which
| will be held in Boston the week of
August ID urging as many as possible
to take advantage OF this opportunity
to attend. He said it was fourteen
years ago when the last encampment
was held in that city AM that the
chances we're if the place of holding
the eucampment should not be select
ed for an eastern city until fourteen
years hence probably few would be
alive to attend.
Col. John w. Currier of North Troy
was the speaker of the evening. He
introduced his remarks in a witty
manner relating a story that brought
out the fact that the Vermont troops
could not only march faster, last
longer and endure more than any
others, but they proved themselves
superior in the art of stealing. He
read a paper sparkling with incidents
of the wal in which the Vermonters
took an active part. Many interest
ing historical facts in connection with
Vermont's part in the war were
brought up which were new to the
members of the G. A.. r. He first
summed up the achievements or the
sons of Vermont and then gave a
concise history of each Vermont regi-
ment, telling the number of men en-
listed, the percentage killed and the
part they played in the war. If the
matter could be put in book form it
would not only prove interesting read
ing but would be of inestimable
value as history. In speaking of
what the Vermonters have done he
said cit was her sons that defeated
the Hessians at Bennington. Her
sons first fought and won a naval bat
tie on inland waters against the
English on Lake Champlain in the
War of the Revolution. One of her
sons war the first to fire a shot at
Fort Sumter in defence of the Union.
1t was her sons that were first to fire
a shot on Virginia soil in 1861. Her
son were among the first to enter the
rebel capital in 1866. Her sons were
the first to plant our flag on the
enemy's earthworks at Petersburg,
and it was her sons that broke Pick
ett's charge at Gettysburg, and who
were the last to do fighting at APP
pomattox which closed the Rebellion. "
In high terms he spoke of the work of
Admiral Dewey ana Capt. Charles
CLARK in the Spanish war, and
said that Col. Liscum, a Vermonter
of the Ninth, was the first to occupy
the walls of Tien Sien, China. 1t was
the speech of Senator Proctor, in the
United States Senate, said the speak
er, that opened the doors of freedom
to Cuba. AT the close of the address
Col. Ourrier paid a pretty tribute to
the Relief Corps. Rev. @. j. Brown
made a few remarks also at the even
ing session.
About ten O'Clock on Thursday the
members of the association met at
Dewey Park and heard the reports of
the secretary and treasurer. The
printed report was not read but was
accepted. Mr.. Wilson. the secretary,
then read his report. The balance
left over from last year was $26. so,
and with the collections for the past
year the gross amount was 800. 90. The
expenses for postage, programs, writ
ing material, ETC., brought this
amount down to $40. 60 which was now
in the treasury. Last year the men,
bership was 404 but by the addition
of new members. deducting the loss by
death, the membership is now Ale.
This report was accepted. The as
ISOLATION then gave Mr.. Wilson a vote
of thanks and SIS for his efficient SER
vices the past year. 1t was also voted
on motion of George Hall to have the
proceedings printed with the names
of the new members inserted. A vote
of thanks was given to all who were
out of the association who had helped
in the affair. A committee consisting
of Comrades Colby, Hutchinson, Dew
ey, and Benjamin of Brooks Post was
elected to see to future decorations.
The two members of the press present
were elected honorary members of the
association.
Secretary Wilson read a letter from
E. f.. Foster of Calais inviting all
veterans to the reunion OF Company
!, to be held in North Calais, August
80. 1870 veterans have registered at the
park and it is the most successful
meeting the association has had. The