The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-08-12
Reunion of the 26th Maine,

Reunion of the 26th Maine.
The 26th Maine Regimental association held
their annual reunion Tuesday, Aug. 10th. with
Thomas H. Marshall Post in Memorial Hall
At the morning session, President D. o. Bowen
of Morrill, presiding, officers were elected as
follows: Hon. Fred S. Walls of Vinalhaven.
president; q. M. Chase of Swanville, secretary
and treasurer; Commander John W. Ferguson
of Thomas H. Marshall Post, Comrades I. A
Conant and P. S. Staples, executive commit
tee. Thomas H. Marshall Circle, Ladies' of
the G. A. R provided dinner, and by request
of the visiting comrades charged rs cents per
plate. The dinner was all that could be de-.
sired and well served. Covers were laid for
about 100. including those who served.
The afternoon session was called to order
by D. o. Bowen and America was sung bv
the audience with Miss Alice E. Simmons
at the piano The Lords prayer was then
repeated in concert. Capt. John W. Fergu-
son, Commander of Thomas H, Marshall
Post, extended q cordial welcome to all
present and Comrade D. o. Bowen responded
in few well-chosen words, In speaking of
the presence of Comrade Maddocks of Hamp
den Mr.. Bowen referred to a meeting of the
boys" in that town when 600 were present;
today there are but "a present and all are over
~ and some Is years of age The committee
on resolutlons-L. Z. Morse of Liberty, l. A.
Conant and P. S. Staples-reported through
tnelr chairman sixteen deaths. Mr. Morse
spoke at length of Comrades J. W. Black of
Searsport and Abner Fletcher of Burnham and
feelingly referred to the death of his brother
Samuel Morse. which left him the sole sur
vivor of the five Morse brothers who went to
the front in the Civil War. In referring to
the important duty of the pickets who stood
between their comrades and death he illus
trated the deep feeling of. fellowship of the
men who wear the little bronze button on
their coats Of blue. When the last comrade
shall have passed away it can be said of the
e. A. R. that they fought good fight and did
their duty. Mrs. Carl Lamson rendered a
violin solo. her husband accompanying on the
piano, and responded to hearty encore with
medley of familiar airs. Miss Alice E. SIM
mons read with fine expression and feeling
''The One Who Gave"-a story of Lincoln.
The veterans were pleased to have with
them Col E. E. Hatch of the 4th U. S. Infan-
try. formerly of Liberty. He has been in
Washington about year. but his regiment is
now in Texas and he will join it there at the
expiration of his furlough. Col. Hatch ex.
pressed his deep interest in the Civil War vet
Grams, his father was in that war. He spoke
of the different conditions of the preparedness
for war then and now. He spoke of the Spanish
war and of the Mexican situation and said our
country did not want strife. We are now a
neutral country, but may be forced into war to
save the lives Of our men, women, children
and our property. He feefngly referred to the
mother found dead with two daughters cling
ing to her after a steamer had been torpedoed,
and said this country has many good men to
come to her defence if she is forced into the
world war.
All joined in singing with much spirit,
Marching Through Georgia" Comrade Fred
S. Walls, the newly elected president, Com
rades Crockett of Frankfort. Isaac Cook of
brief remarks. Comrade Crockett said that
out of 45 men who went out with a company
from Winterport, but two were living. Mr..
Morse. in the name Of the visitors, thanked the
ladies' of the G. A. R. and all who took part in
the program or in any way assisted in making
this a successful reunion. He then spoke of
Comrade Samuel G. Gurney. who as a young
ster did such good work in the Civil War. at
one time. single handed, marching Is rebels
into the Union lines where they were held as
prisoners. He then introduced Mr.. Gurney. a
Civil War Veteran, and Col. Hatch of the
standing army.and their meeting was an inter-
esting incident Of the reunion.
Among the visitors were Comrades Thomas
Winters of Millbury. Mass, formerly clerk
with Marshall & Swan. and member of Fred
erick Barker's Company. and Philip Holmes Of
Salem. Mass. formerly Of Searsport.
The session closed with singing "God be with
you till we Meet Again." Then the veterans
spent an hour at the Opera House. where
they were guests of the manager. Walter J..
Clifford Of A. E. Camp. Sons of Veterans,