The Republican journal., 1909-02-18
MEETING OF WALDO co. VETERANS

The Waldo County Veteran Association met
in the Grange Hall, North Searsport, Feb. 4th,
and although the travelling was quite hard a
The forenoon was taken up in talking over old
times and the scenes of 81 to '65. At the
sound of the dinner call some seventy sat
down to partake of good dinner prepared by
the people of North Searsport. In the absence
of the president, the secretary called the after
noon meeting to order, and invited comrade A.
E. Nickerson to the chair, and he made some
appropriate remarks, thanking the association
for the honor of presiding at soldiers gath
erng. The meeting opened with singing
Marching through Georgia" with Miss Hattie
May Nickerson presiding at the organ. The
prayer was offered by Mrs. F. l.. Palmer of
Monroe, and the records of the last meeting at
Monroe were then read and approved. The fol-
lowing comrades were reportedas having died
since the last meeting: A. E. Fernad and
Carleton of Winterport and Mears of Belfast.
The following were made honorary members
of the association: Herbert Stevens and wife,
T. D. Nickerson, Miss Hattie May Nickerson
and Ira Veazie.
The address of welcome was given by Mrs.
Carrie B. Spaulding, and the response by Com
rade Trask of Newburg, whose remarks were
appreciated by all. The following towns re-
sponded to the roll CALL Winterport, Frank
fort, Monroe, Waldo, Searsport and Swanville.
Comrade Geo. H. Fisher, a member of the 18th
Me-. was called upon to give a sketch of the
4,1. l,,l l.; L,%41 e
Gettysburg. At a soldiers gathering at one
time some one said that all the Maine flags had
been returned but the 10Th, when up jumped
a dozen comrades each holding up piece of
the old flag. Comrade Fisher has one of those
pieces which he carried into prison and brought
home, and which he prizes very highly. All
but twenty-five members of this regiment
were taken prisoners and when they found
they must go they stripped the flag from the
staff and tore it into pieces. All the Johnnies
got was the staff. Col Tilden, who in
command, broke his sword rather than sur
render it whole. Comrade F. L. Palmer was
the next one called. He said he did not like to
say much about what he saw, but he saw all he
wanted to and was severely wounded and dis
charged.
Comrade A. Stinson gave a little description
of the part taken by the 18th at FrederiekseGrg,
the regiments first fight. During 81 three
days they were across the river n.
time and were held as reserves. aith
der fire much of the time. About noon On the
third day the reg iment was ordered TO fall IN
and marched out onto the field, forming into
line of battle, the 10Th leading the Brigade.
AS we stood in line waiting the order to go, the
Rebels opened with raking fire from
right to left. The regiment moved forward
about ten feet and the regiment in our rear
moved up into the place we had left. In few
moments down came a shell, passing over Co.
E. and burst in the company in our rear. The
records of that regiment give the number
killed by that shell as thirteen. 1t took the
whole company
One has to be dead to forget such scenes. If
we had not moved, some Of us would not be
here today. Many other comrades made re-
marks which we are unable to report.
Many Searsport people turned out to welcome
the boys and among them were Herbert
Stevens, 7. D. Nickerson, w. T. Nickerson,
Mr.. Seley, W. J. Matthews, Geo. E. Chaplin, o.
w. Whitcomb and others, all making interest
ing remarks. Mrs. F. L. Palmer, Mrs. Nettie
Smart, Mrs. Weber, Mrs. Trask of Newburg
and others spoke along the same line. A song
by Mr.. Ira Veazie, with Miss Hattie Nickerson
at the organ, was enjoyed very much. By in
vitation the association voted to meet with
Thomas H. Marshall Post, Belfast, the first
Thursday in March. If stormy, the next fair
day. Closed by singing America. 1T was a
very fine time.