The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-09-29
VERMONT SOLDIERS BANQUETED
Big Demonstration Also Given Them on
Streets of Burlington.

Burlington, Sept. pa crowd esti.
mated to have been 10000 people wei.
coined the Vermont troops, back from
Eagle Pass, Texas, when they came to
| this city last evening to attend a ban
quet at the Van Ness house given in
their honor. The soldiers were brought
from Fort Ethan Allen in special electric
cars and they paraded from the corner
of North street and North Winooski ave
nue. to the hotel being enthusiastically
cheered all along the iv7ite.
Pres. Benton Of the University of Yer
mont was toastmaster and Mayor Drew
extended welcome in behalf Of the city.
Colonel Ira l.. Reeves. commanding Off
Ger of the First Vermont, was then intro
duced and was given one of the most
hearty oyations OF the evening, to which
he feelngly responded Col. Reeves
thanked the citizens Of Burlington on
behalf OF the regiment for the welcome
and sentiment which prompted it and
also thanked Colonel Dickman for allow
ing the Vermont troops to occupy bar
racks at Fort Ethan Allen.
The commanding officer then told of
tn, splendid record made by the Vermont
troops during their three months SEW
ice on the border and stated that. al
though he had served in several regi.
ments. he had never met one whose per
sonnel equalled that OF the First YER
mont. The Vermont troops were the
first regiment to reach the border, al
though their home stations were the fur
thest distant, after the mobilization
started aud were the first to perform
service on the border. They were given
many positions. OF responsibility and were
highly regarded BY the regular army Of.
ficers Colonel Reeves modestly placed
all the credit for these splendid achieve
ments upon the shoulders of the officers
and men OF the regiment and denied that
any Of it belonged to him. In conclud-
ing he stated that the Vermont troops
must be kept in their present state OF
Adit Gen Lee S. Tillotson, who fol-
lowed Colonel Reeves on the program,
said that the hardest task of the Ma
-ional Guard was before it and that was
TO maintain its present status as an inn |
oortant factor in the national defense of |
his country. He attributed to the mob.
lization of the National Guard, the pa
.ifying of border troubles and the avert |
ng of actual hostilities with Mexico
President John NJ. Thomas of Middle
,ury college, former chaplain of the Yer
mont regiment, paid splendid tribute
o the officers and men of that organiza-
ion and a still heartier one to the com
handing officer, whom he characterized
Is great executive animated by the
iqhest motives. The proudest fact of
lis life, declared President Thomas would
q that he had worn the Vermont uni
orm and his most highly priced jewel
,ould be his chaplains insignia.
Gen. I. S. Peck referred with deep
motion to the splendid record of the
-ermont troops during the Civil war
nd the hearty welcome which awaited
hem upon their return. He mentioned
he fact that DR.. and Mrs. Seward Webb
OF only sent ST 800 for the use of the
egiment's hospital at the time of the {
American war, but also present
/ the men with beautiful service med &
|, saying that he hoped the present 6
uardsmen would receive similar me {
lento. c
Brief speeches were made by Col. Jo- :
,ph T. Dickman, commanding officer OF
le Second cavalry, Capt. w. Y. Hnd, '
IN of NJ company, Capt. John /. Cootey |
{ C company and Chaplain Moody. Aft t
a selection by the band, the exercises a
ere closed with the playing of the 'Stsr i
pangled Banner n