Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-06-07
MEMORIAL DAY.
Fitting Observance in Chelsea, with
EIoauent Address.

were the most beautiful, as well as the
most impressive services, ever held by
Waterson Post. The graves OF comrades
in the various cemeteries in town, with
the exception of Highland cemetery we're
decorated IN the forenoon by details from
the Post and Sons Of Veterans Camp.
Soon after one O'Clock, the column was
formed in the following order, by the
marshal, Capt. W. II. II. Hall-Chelsea
Brass band, rs pieces, Geo. A. Tracy
drum major; II. +. X. Hall Camp, No. 2S,
Sons OF Veterans, escort to the veterans,
p men, Capt. L. d. Abbott, commanding;
Naterson Post, No. 45, q. A. r., 25 men,
Geo. f. Reed, commander; speaker and
chaplain, Rev. L. n. Moody and Rev. Gee.
Il. Lake; Waterson Relief Corps, No. 20,
Vice Pres. Mrs. 2. j. Little public
school children.
The column marched to Highland
cemetery, where the G.. A. X. Memorial
service was rendered. The school chill
dren contributed some most beautiful
selections to this service and rendered
them in a manner which showed their
excellent rehearsing and pains taken by
their teachers. After appropriate music
by the band and the firing Of salute by
a detail from the Camp, the graves were
decorated, then the line reformed and
marched to the Town hall. Here the
exercises were opened with music by the
band.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Geo. E.
Lake, and Mrs. II. F. Bryant recited
"Scatter Garlandsn
Commander Reed presented the orator
OF the day, Rev. Lewis n. Moody, who
opened his remarks with a touching
tribute to the veteran soldiers OF the war
from 81 to So, who helped to make this
a free and united country. 1t was one OF
the best Memorial day addresses ever
listened TO in town.
He said in part
That we OF the present generation may
better appreciate the meaning OF the Civil
war, we will endeavor today TO get few
glimpses OF those Of our Vermont boys
who served in the old Vermont Brigade
during the last year Of that war.
First. let US inquire what they are doing
on the 9TH OF May, 1864, in that dreary re-
gion covered with underbrush aud a
growth Of scrub oak and dwarf pine. The
most important position OF the Wilderness
battlefield is at the junction Of the Brock
road with the Orange plank road. IL Hill
can get possession OF that point he will be
able to place two-thirds Of the Army of
Northern Virginia between the two wings
OF the Army Of the Potomac, Generals
Grant and Meade, well knowing the inn
portance OF that position, ordered General
/ Getty TO take the Vermont Brigade and
two other brigsdes OF his division and
hold it, Getty placed the Vermont Bri-
gade on the left Of the Plank road, and
another brigade on the right, with sec
tion OF artillery between them. This po-
sition they held for nearly three hours be-
/ fore the Second corps under Gen. Hancock
began 10 arrive Before Hancock's troops
could be gotten into position, Gen Getty
received an order to attack. The men
I rushed forward, but before they had gone
three hundred yards they were met by
such a tremendous yolley from the thick
cts only few yards in front OF them that,
/ having returned the fire, they dropped TO
I the ground. Again they attempted to adj
vance. but II became evident from the
numbers that were Immediately shot
/ down that to do so would simply mean
destruction, so again they Rugged the
ground. but continued TO exchange volley
for yoIley with the enemy for two mortal I
hours. Then, Hancocks corps having |
been posted ia front OF the Brock road, II |
became unnecessary to longer hold TINS /
advanced position, and the order was giv- |
en- for Getty to withdraw his troops TO
Hancock's lines But under such muir /
derous fire how was this to be accom-
plished ? II was proposed to Major Dud- |
lev that he, with the Fifth Vermont, /
should engage the enemy at point dl-
rectly in front Of him, hoping thus TO re-
lieve the pressure on the rest OF our lines. |
The Fifth arose and with cheer /
charged the ridge, but the regiments
which were to have supported him soon |
fell back, and Dudley finding his men
alone aud fianked by the enemy, wisely
withdrew as best he might TO Hancock's
lines. Thus the Nermonters fought,
doing more perhaps than any others to
prevent the dismemberment, not to say
destruction, OF the Army OF the Potomac
in the Wilderness. But thousand YER
mont bows fell. killed or wounded, that
afternoon; a thousand Vermont homes
were plunged in sorrow thousand
Vermont hearts were reaking.
The speaker illustrated the herolsm
Of the Vermonters at the "Bloody Angle"
of Spottsylyania, and in the Shenendoah
Valley. alt was not the Vermont soldier
who was running down the Shenandoah
on the day OF Sheridan's famous ride. ~
was the other fellow
The speaker then described the day
break attack on the enemy's works az
Petersburg, by a wedge shaped army OF
II 600 men, the old Vermont Brigade
forming the point Of the wedge. AS soon
as their pickets had given the alarm the
rebel works for half a mile were ablaze
with musketry and cannon. But our
men had not gone thus far to turn back
with a mighty cheer they rushed lot
ward. the ahattis was brushed aside, ana
through the ditch and over the embank-
ments they poured, an overwhelming
torrent. a Vermonter being the first man
inside the works. The confederacy re-
eeiyed its death blow that day, and the
ola Vermont Brigade formed the knuckles
Of the fist that dealt the blow.
Nav we, as Nermonters, never forget
TO honor such men as those whose bodies
lie buried in yonder cemetery, whue
their souls are marching on; and may we
never forget to offer our earnest prayer 70
Almighty God that we may never again
be required, as state and as nation 70
make such sacrifice OF blood, OF hearts
and OF homes.
Al the close Of Mr.. Moody's address,
Miss Margaret Comstock recited Peace,
and the exercises closed by the singing
OF "American by the audience.
Old Home Week Association Meets.
Al the annual meeting of the chelsea
Old Home Week association AT Orauge
County hotel saturday night, there We're !
only a small number present. Inc oIu I
hoard Of officers were reelected, except
that H. o. Bixby was elected vice. presl.
- vapaurV caused ON the ,