The Republican journal., 1915-09-16
THE 31st MAINE REUNION.


The 3lst Maine Regimental associa-
ton met in annual reunion in Bangor at
G.. A. R. hall Wednesday forenoon, Sept.
read, officers elected and other business
noteworthy one in the history of the as
sociation, in that only one death among
the veterans has been reported, that of
is the smallest for many years and sho 8
that the G. A. R. men of this regiment
are healthy and long lived. R. S. Os-
good of Buehill was elected president of
the association, and o. E. Bartlett was
chosen first vice president; Capt. Column
bus j. Noble, second vice president; 0.
r. Leavitt, third vice president; ]. F.
Beath, chaplain, and F. S. Perkins of
Castine, secretary. A splendid dinner
was served to about 40 of the veterans
and wives and friends by the ladies of
the G. A. R. at noon, The spread was
most appetizing and delicious and was
thoroughly appreciated by all present.
Among those present besides the officers
wexe S. Dean Benson of Bangor; A. G.
Rollins, S. T. Stone, Mrs. Joseph Lynn.
Mr.. and Mrs. R. Osgood, Capt. Horace
Whitmore, Hampden; Mrs. w. Grindle,
Bangor; H. P. Miles, W. S. Moody and
J. McGray.
Comrade S. F. Perkins of Castine
made the following report:
''Sisters and comrades: we are permit
ted through Divine Providence to meet
again at our annual reunion which al
ways means so much to US, and as the
years 60 by and we meet here from one
reunion to another we are filled with
sadness because we miss some comrade
who has gone to assemble with the many
thousands of our Grand Army on the
other side of the great white silence to-
ward which we are marching with quick
step which seems to grow faster as we
feel the weight Of years upon US, which
also reminds US that it will soon be our
turn to fold our tent and answer our
name to the last roll call and 60 to our re-
ward with the feeling that we have tried
to do our duty as soldiers and citizens.
With our Saviour we have the pleasure
and Joy OF meeting our sisters and COM
rades who have been spared another
year to meet with US here in this beauti-
full City of Bangor through which many
of US passed when We were on our way
to Join our regiment at Augusta. This
room which our comrades have SO kindly
given US the use of is fast becoming
home to US, as we meet here from year
to year. How often we shall look back
to the pleasant hours we have spent
here in each others company, talking of
the past and looking forward to the
the time when we again welcome those
who are spared another year. For we
must not let our hearts grow old if our
strength does grow weaker. AS the
years come and 60 we will keep that
love and kindness for our comrades
which is duty we owe one to the other.
For in no organization is the same feel
ing that soldiers have, which have been
streng thened by hardship in those dark
hours of war and which clouded our fair
land in the days IF 81 and IS. We may
know that the memory of those days and
the part each of you peri ormed in that
great struggle will be remembered by
our beloved country for years after the
last comrade of that war has passed
away and we all are thankful that it is
our privilege to wear that little button
with honor to ourselves and the Grand
Army Of the Republic. And another
great pleasure we enjoy is meeting these
sisters who always do 80 much to enter
tain the comrades, who gather here each
year and feel such an interest in the well
fare of the Grand Army and always will
ing to do so much to make our reunion
success, and we wish to thank them for
the many little things they do to make
our meetings interesting to US and our
stay pleasant while here-and comrades,
let US keep strong the chain that unites
one to the other and as we part to mingle
in our several pursuits may we carry
81 r. g IL.
being the best we have ever attended"
The 3lst M inc was organized in Au-
gusta in March and April, 1864 Leav-
ing the State on April 18th. it proceeded
to Alexandria, Va, where it was as.
Division and Ninth Corps. In less than
ment went into acticn.at the Wilderness
and on May 18th was hot engaged at
Spotsylvania, where it lost IL killed, "a
wounded and missing. In the fight at
Bethesda church, June Sd, it lost Is kill
ed and 80 wounded. and behaved with
such gallsntry that Gen. Griffin compli-
mented il in orders.
Under commsi of Col. White, the reg
iment rendered efficient service in the
assault on Petersburg, June 18th, and at
the Mine explosion it was among the
iirst to enter the enemy's works. Its
losses at the Mine were 8 killed 26
wounded and 81 captured or missing. In
October there were only about 60 men on
duty, but new companies were added.
In less than one years time the Thirty
First lost GA men killed or wounded in
action, three -fourths of this loss occur
ring in May, June and July, 1864.
There were RI field and line Officers in
the Thirty-First when it entered the
Wilderness April 6, 1864. and in less than
80 days, or before the close of July, II
of them were struck dead in battle.
EIlNNN THINGS AZ EPISHA