Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-02-04
HISTORIAN AT WORK ON
ARMY AND NAVY CLUB.
Gen. Edward Harland WAS First
President and an Active Member at
Organization.


necticut created the Office of historian
at the reunion in September, which
was held at The Griswold, Eastern
Point, a constitutional amendment to
that effect being adopted. William
H. Catlin of Meriden was appointed
and has commenced the collection OF
member of the club. Blanks have
been sent out and are now in the
hands of army and navy clubmen
throughout the state. The facts re-
quired will be of great value in com
pleting and perpetuating the records
Of the organization.
The historian. Mr.. Catlin, was in the
Meriden company of the Fifteenth
Connecticut during the war.
The origin of the Army and Navy
club dates back to 1879, taking place
while the legislature was in session
The initial steps were taken during
the session of 1873. The civil war
veterans in the legislature of that
year were Gen, Edward Harland of
Norwich Gen. Thomas McManus Of
Hartford Waiter S. Clark oof Chester,
William c. Doolittle of Southington,
and Hubert E. Carpenter Of Chatham.
Wilbur W. Birge Of Torrington and
Henry Sedgwick of Middledeld, mes
sengers in the house, were veterans.
Four of the reporters in the senate
were also veterans, the number in
GLIDING Major John c. Kinney, Capt.
Luther G. Riggs of Meriden and Capt.
Joab c. Rogers of Norwich. who had
served in the field.
Joab B. Rogers was in the Third
Connecticut under Gen. Edward Har-
land and became captain Of Company
A in the First Connecticut cavalry. He
was wounded at Cedar Greek, Va, No
vember IL, 1854. General Harland,
who represented the town Of Norwich.
was the foremost soldier in the house.
He had risen steadily from a captain
cy in the Third Connecticut to the
brevet rank of major general. He
was the first department commander,
G. A. R., IN Connecticut. His pres
ence at the smokers" in General Nc
Manus' Office were Invariably regarded
with pleasure and satisfaction.
The last meeting of the organization
under the name of the Legislative Ar
my and Navy club was held Thursday
evening, March 20, Speaker Wright
and Adjutant General Harland being
present 1t was at this meeting that
formal steps were taken by the club
towards making the removal of the
battle flags of the civil war from the
state arsenal to the capitol great
ceremonial. The following was adopt
ed:
Whereas, The legislature Of this
state has at the current session Or
dered by resolution that the battle
flags Of the several Connecticut regi-
ments and batteries be transferred
from the arsenal to the state capitol,
and has appointed Edward Harland,
adjutant general, Leverett w. Wes-
sells, quartermaster general, and
Chauncey Howard, comptroller, to SUI
perintend such transfer, therefore, be
it unanimously
Resolved, That said General Har-
land, q member of this club is re-
quested to confer with his associates,
said Vessels and Howard, with ref
erence to making the transfer Of said
flags a great ceremonial In which IN
der suitable arrangements hereafter to
be made the Grand Army posts, all
soldiers and sailors. who served in the
late war, and the Connecticut national
guard may participate.
WILBUR w. BIRGE,
Secretary.
The legislative garb was cast off and
the name Of the Army and Navy club
of Connecticut taken at the sugges-
ton of Major Henry c. Dwight, who
was on the committee on permanent
with General HaTland,
Col. Charles L. Upson and Major Ed
ward V. Preston.
The first annual reunion was held at
Fenwick, August /. 1879. 1t was call
ed by the executive committee, con-
sisting Of General Harland, Captain
Kinney, Frank D. Sloat Of New Ha-
ven and L. a Dickinson Of Hartford.
The nominating committee reported
in favor of the election Of General
president; John H. Durham.
Charles L. Upham, Daniel c. Rodman
and Augustus II. Fem, vice president,
and John c. Kinney,s secretary and
treasurer.
The constitution Of the club was
approved November 27, 1879. The or
ganization has had nineteen presidents
in the thirty years Of its existence.
Col. Frank W. Cheney has held the
presidency of the club ten years. and
Judge Augustus H. Fem was two
years in the office. Major John c.
held the secretaryship until
his death in 1891, when he was sue
ceeded by Col. julius w. Knowlton of
Bridgeport. Bernard F. Blakeslee was
treasurer for ten years, beginning in
1882. He was succeeded in 1892 by
Major Sidney M. Gladwin. The list
Of presidents contains the names OF
Harland of Norwich, william
L. Franklin. joseph r. Hawley, John
L. Otis, Charles H. Pine, Charles L.
Upham, Frank w. Cheney, Augustus
H. Fem. E. H. Greeley, David Tor
rance, Simeon ]. Fox, William 3.
Alfred B. Beers, Francis B.
Allen. Jacob L. Greene, Charles F.
Linsley, Sanford E. Chaffee, Comp
troller Thomas D. Bradstreet and
Henry c. Dwight. The badge worn by
members Of the club was designed
and made by Col c. H. Case of Hart
ford. The device comprises army and
navy symbols.
Cutting Ice.