Norwich bulletin., 1913-06-17
J. I. TANNING ALUMNI PRESIDENT
Elected at Annual Meeting of Academy AssocatonS AL pheus Gilbert Speaks of the Academy in War Times Tributes to the Late Rev. Dr. Pratt and w A. Briscoe Teacher Changes Announced.

Memorial, with an unusually large att tendance of sons and daughters of N. F. A.. many of whom were from out of town. The programme was a va ried one, including selections by the Boys Glse club, the Girls Glee club, the Musical club. the reading of the annual reports and election of officers and addresses by graduates. President Frederic H. Cranston presided At the close there was a general social time in the school gym, where refreshments were served and dancing was enjoyed.
 $sa5 in Building Fund.
 President Frederic H. Cranston pre- sided at the meeting. which opened with several well rendered selections by the Musical club, directed by MT. Cranston. Secretary Walter E. Gil- bert read his annual report, and the annual report of the treasurer, Guy B. Dolbeare, was read and accepted. The report showed expenses during the year of $76.97 and a present hal- ance on hand of s1,158.37 The build ing fund now amounts to $935.17 MT. Dolheare said that the income from dues and life memberships during the past year. $7a, was the smallest sum received by him since he held the office of treasurer, and urged the members to be prompt in payment of dues.
 The Boys Glee club won much ap- plause for their rendering of Amici, and responded with a medley of plant ation sons, with solo parts by Leroy Swan, Leader Overbagh and Charles Prentice.
 N. F A. in War Times.
 s. Alpheus Gilbert was the first speaker, and gave a most interesting talk on the period of 1861-5 at the Academy, when he was a student IYa e.ran sHa ,,k f1If
 If the chairman would like to do jus tice to the spirit of 61-65 he should have asked an orator, as usually ad- dresses the Grand Army veterans on Decoration day. and in responding to his request I can only speak in an informal way of our city and acade- my during that eventful period.
 The causes which led to the Civil war were the events which were inci- dent to slavery, and while the south held to the rights that had been theirs for more than a century. the north
 The 14th of April. 1861. was called Battle Sunday and was observed by earnest prayer in all the churches.
 Academy Company Organized.
 At a meeting of the trustees of N. F. A.. held September 29. 1862, it was voted that a military company be formed in the Academy under the di- rection of the principal and in &C., cordance with this vote. military company under the name Academy Grays was organized the following month with these commissioned off cers w. c. Gulliver captain; Edwd. c, Hale. first lieutenant; Frank L. Norton. second lieutenant
 A stand of one hundred nuskets was obtained from the state arsenal, and placed in suitable racks on the third iva %I1o 1o,-1 1,,5 3 rr;xy en in charge of the sergeants. Our un- form was gray with black stripes and silver buttons, same as worn by West Point cadets.
 From that date the intefmissien hour was spent in drilling, and we found pleasure in our marching orders, prao- tising the manual of arms. and under a competent drill master soon became quite proficient.
 Saw Guard Duty.
 While the country never called on us for assistance, 1 remember that aft CT Rev. Dr. Gulliver of the Broadway church had preached a particularly in- tense sermon regarding secession which was printed in the papers. riotous mob in New York city that sympathiz- ed with the south, threatened to come to Norwich and burn his house. It was they would arrive early the next morning on the New York boat which reached our city about six } clock Twelve, of the largest boys rom our company were detailed as a guard for the reverend gentleman and his property, and shortly after a good supper we marched over to his house on Sachem street. The guard relieved each other until midnight, when we 5ell asleep, resting on our arms Cor and. waking early in the were much relieved to re- ho hn VnI-lz boat had arrived and no rioters aboard 70 like the King of France we marched pack again.
 At Grave of c. E. Breed.
 The roll of those from our Academy who enlisted for service Is engraved n enduring bronze in this building, md time would not allow me to men Ion those illustrious names and their history, but the last public duty of n marching with muffied drum to yonder cemetery and after appropri- ete exercises firing the last Yolley over he grave of Charles E. Breed, a for ner member of the company, who en- istod as paymaster's clerk in the navy tnd was brought home to die.
 Pardon me for speaking in closing of ! few who were present at that time.
 will not dwell on the lives of those who, members of the Academy Grays, nay be present at this time, so I wiit lave to pass by Gardiner Greene, now 1harles W. Gale, the trusted cashier of he largest national bank in our city, md Cooke and Buckingham, but ask lou for the moment to consider the fife and work of Lucinda A. Smith, whose father, an escaped slave, be- ore the war found friends in Norwich Ind begged that his daughter might ,A admitted fo fhA Aeadarev He un,~lx d st his trade during the week as a hoemakers and Sunday exhorted his 'rethren as Methodist preacher. His ace was ever radiant with happiness rom Having gained hts freedom.
 The trustees voted in favor and she vas the first colored pupil that stud ed here. Miss Smith developed an eacher and has devoted her life to l he education of colored children in he city of Washington, a capable and representative of the Academy's benehcence.
 Mayor of New Haven.
 As an incentive to some pupil. may I 1 llude to Cornelius T. DriscolI, the on of a widowed mother, who labored 1 ard to give her boy an education. He raduated here with honors. and work l d his way through Yale college by | eaching evening school and has since 1 cen honored by election as mayor of 1 he city of New Haven and is highly | in his position as lawyer. l And there was William F. Ross a | armer's son, who came from Lisbon, l
 fine athletic fellow who could bat | he ball the farthest or catch the high st fly, and when he enlisted took his | ,atin and Greek with him to study. le was with General Grant when the ictorious Union army marched into | fs~H md 71d fyRar a rANa Asac ,tf