The Somerset reporter., 1909-06-24
The Somerset Veterans Association
Continued from first page. {

Association were formed in line on
the street in front OF the hall by
Post Commander G. II. Davis of
Madison and keeping step to the
music of the Athens drum corps
marched as bravely if not as firmly
as in the memorable days of "the
long ago." Talk about band or an
orchestra or any other kind of
music, it is as nothing compared with
fife and drum in giving inspiration
and stirring the hearts of the old
soldiers. 1t was the music that in
spired them in camp and drill on the
march and on the battle front and it
is the music they would prefer to
march by today, and why it is that
we cannot have the fife and drum in
our memorial day marches instead
of band is deep mystery to many
of the veterans.
And we had a genuine "dress pa
radeo at Athens, just touch of what
we used to have month after month
and even year after year in the
Southland, thanks to the Elliott
brothers of Athens.
At the opening of the afternoon
session the Athens Grange quartet
sang "American and responded to an
encore with "The red, white and
blue,o also "Tenting on the Old
Camp Ground" also pm going back
to Dixie" Rev. John Loudfoot was
called upon and gave brief address
brim full of patriotism and love Of
country, and in eloquent words ex
pressed his gratitude to all those
present who in early manhood went
to the front to defend the nations
life. G. w. Emerson, who at this
session was voted in as an honorary
member, read poetical selection
entitled Turning the Tables" Mrs.
&. E. Gould read some "pointed
paragraphs" and Comrade j. B.
Treat read a fine poem entitled 4The
old Sergeant" Comrade Gould sang
Just before the battle, mother"
Followed with Rotations by Com
rade and Mrs. j. R. Bicknell. A
comrade sang Gin the Virginia low
lands" and Comrade G. F. Jones
came to the front with remarks and
story. 1.-THE Star Spangled Ban
ner,o was sung by the audience and
written June 5, 1862 to his parents,
the Third Maine regiment took in
the battle of Fair Oaks fought four
days previous. The following are a
few extracts from the letter: "Our
regiment has suffered severely This
is the third battle / have been in
since leaving home and decidedly the
bloodiest one. The battle com
menced about one O'Clock last Satur-
day. Casey's division was attacked
and driven back upon ours which is
commanded by Gen. Kearny. The
battle ragged with great fury all the
afternoon till dark put an end to the
conflict Early Sunday morning the
enemy again attacked our entire
lines but was repulsed on all sides,
and driven back to their former posi-
ton leaving their dead and wounded
on the field. The Third Maine fought
the Eighth and Ninth Alabama,
among the best of the rebel regi-
ments. One bullet passed through
my coat and one through my pants.
We have lost over one hundred,
killed and wounded in the regiment.
We are expecting another terrible
battle soon when the whole army
will make an attack upon Richmond.
1t will be the greatest battle on
record. The weather here is terri
BILE hot and heavy showers are fire.
quent."
Comrade Emerson offered remarks
describing the battle and the part the
Third Maine took more fully Com
rade j. D. Emerson read extracts
from the National Tribune, the great
soldiers paper in regard to Presi
dent Lincoln's attitude in unfolding
the constitution at the opening of
the rebellion and offered comments
upon the same.
a rising vote of thanks was ten
dered all who did SO much to make
the day a success. The audience
sang "God be with us till we meet
again." and the Veterans broke
ranks to form again at Fairfield in
September.
"a very humble door may open the
way to large opportunities.