USA > Maine > First Maine bugle, 1893 (history of 1st Maine Cavalry) > Part 34
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Comrades Edward P. Tobie of the field and staff, Albion C. Drinkwater of Co. A, Melville B. Cook of Co. B, Eben Andrews of Co. C, Thomas B. Pulsifer of Co. D, Lorenzo B. Hill of Co. E, Charles W. Skillings of Co. F. Volney H. Foss of Co. G. Henry C. Hall of Co. H. Benjamin P. Lowell of Co. I, Charles W. Ford of Co. K, Austin A. Fish of Co. L, and George Doughty of Co. M, were appointed a committee to select thres localities from which to choose the place of reunion next year and also to nominate officers for the ensuing year. This com-
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
mittee retired, and after due deliberation presented the ny: of Skowhegan, Pittsfield and Eastport. From these Skowhe ad was unanimously chosen for the next reunion. This commit also reported the following as the list of officers :
President-Sergeant Peter J. Dresser, of Lewiston. Vice President ---- Sergeant George E. Goodwin, of Skowhegan.
Treasurer -- Gen. Jonathan P. Cilley, of Rockland. Secretary-Charles A. F. Emery, of Medford, Mass. Corresponding Secretary -- Lieut. Orin S. Haskell, of Pittsfield. Finance Committee -- Maj. Sidney W. Thaxter, Lieut. George I. Jewett, and !!! C. Drinkwater.
Executive Committee-The first five officers and Lorenzo B. Hill, Augusta; Chi -! A. Smith, Skowhegad; and Frank J. Savage, Fairfield.
Comrade Dresser declined election as president, and Sergeden George E. Goodwin was nominated in his place, while Albert Edgecomb, of Boston was nominated for vice president. .... thus amended the report was accepted and the list of off di. elected.
Votes of thanks were tendered to Comrade Brackett, for th use of the hall and grounds; to President Lang for his label the past year in behalf of the association, and to the local comt- mittee of arrangements, and the business meeting adjourned.
DINNER.
At noon the following named comrades and their families s !! down to a glorious " shore dinner " at the Peaks' Island House:
Samuel H. Allen, Thomaston
Melvin J. Allen, Skowhegan
Eben Andrews, Willard
Wm. G. Besse, Lewiston
Peter J. Dresser, I ewiston
Edward B. Deering, Knightville
Charles Burgess, Bath
Otis H. Barnard, East Auburn Isaac Bingham, Clinton
Albert Edgecomb, 123 Devonshire St. Boston, Mass. Edwin T. Edgecomb, Kezar Falls
James W. Brackett, Peaks' Island
John P. Carson, Mount Vernon
Charles C. Chase, 3 Davis Place, Portland George H. Chase, New Gloucester Jonathan P. Cilley, Rockland Horatio M. Cleaves, Saco
Charles W. Coffin, Shapleigh Henry R. Colesworthy, W. Gorham Melville B. Cook, Friendship
Frederick A. Cummings, Saccarapin Albion C. Drinkwater. Braintree, M !... George Doughty. Angusta
Geo. M. Emory, Buxton Centre John Emery, Haiop len Wm. H. Farnum. Rumford Centre Austin A. Fish, Woburn, Mass. Charles W. Ford, Portland Volney IT. Foss, Bangor John French, Lewiston Daniel W. Gage, No. Cambridge, Mass
---
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TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REUNION.
Charles W. Goddard, Portland Stephen S. Goodhue, Haverhill, Mass. George C. Goodwin, Skowhegan Henry C. Hall, Woburn, Mass. Gilbert N. Harris, Melrose, Mass. John E. Hart, Burnham Ira B. Harvey, Lewiston Simeon C. Hasting, Sidney Nathaniel S. Hawkes, Rangeley Lorenzo B. Hill, Augusta Albert N. Higgins, IOS 7th St., So. Min- neapolis, Minn.
Edwin M. Higgins, Somes Sound
William H. Howard, 432 St. John St., Portland Charles E. Jack, Weymouth, Mass. Sylvanus Judkins, Athens
Charles B. Kenney, 325 Front St., Brook- lyn, N. Y.
Alfred W. Knight, North Whitefield Jas. M. Knight, 39 Fifth St., Dover, N. H. Thomas F. Killan, Dedham, Mass.
Leander Lane, Keen's Mills Caleb N. Lang, 237 High St., Portland Thos. J.Long,40 Warren Ave., Boston, Mass Benjamin P. Lowell, Lewiston Franklin B. Lowe, Waterville
Fernando F. Mason, Turner Centre
William Maloon, Auburn Isaac S. Maxwell, Lewiston
Wm. O. McFarland, Searsmont Edw. P. Merrill, 55 Bramhall St., Portland William Morang, 57 Alder St., Portland
Charles E. Moulton, Orr's Island Russell B. Murray, 27 Washington St., Charlestown, Mais. Danville Newbegin, Shapleigh
Alexander M. Parker, Deering John M. Perkins, 31 Cornhill, Boston Alfred Fierce, Arlington, Mass.
Geo. Prince, 16 Davis, St., Boston, Mass.
Thomas B. Pulsifer, Yarmouth, Mass.
James K. Reynolds, Hallowell Charles H. Robbins, Bid leford George S. Royal, Yarmouth
Thomas J. Sanford, Marlborough, Mass. Samuel Shorey, 21 Spruce St., Portland Chas. W. Skillings, Preble House, Portland Charles Smith, Skowhegin George M. Smith, South Portland
Henry IT. Smith, Jeffrey St., Lyna, Mass. James H. Smith, New Gloucester Sewall W. Smith, Skowhegan
Asbury E. Soule, Lewiston Horatio B. Soule, Yarmouth Rodney Sparrow, 65 Merrill St., Portland Sidney W. Thaxter, 356 Spring Street Portland Edward P. Tobie, Pawtucket, R. I. Leroy H. Tobie, 15 Becket St., Portland John F. Tolman, Six Mile Falls
Levi Toothacher, Brunswick David H. Whittier, Athens
Henry J. Varney, Skowbegan John W. West, Lewiston George M. Young, Portland
The afternoon was spent in various pleasant ways. The head- quarters of the Fifth Maine Association, with its wealth of war relics, was thrown open to the inspection of the comrades, and there were many avenues of pleasure in the garden, but the comrades for the most part preferred the quiet chat with each other, and the hours flew quickly till the time arrived to take the steamer for the return to the city.
THE CAMP FIRE.
In the evening exercises were held in Bosworth Post Hall. The comrades and their friends assembled in goodly numbers
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FIRST MAINF BUGI.F.
and received a cordial greeting from the president and Portlag comrades. After a thorough inspection of the comfortable awl well furnished rooms belonging to the Post, the assemblage called to order, when President Lang, after a few words of we! come, introduced Comrade Edward P. Tobie, of Pawtucket, R I., as toastmaster. Comrade Tobie commenced by reading ti. following letters from invited guests who were unable to b present :
PORTLAND, MIT .. , Aug. 15th, 1. ..
COMRADE DAM,
Secretary First Maine Cavalry Association,
I have just received your kind invitation to attend the reunion of your regiment no the twenty-third instant, and I wish to thank you very kindly for the same, and I el H try to see you on that day if possible.
Yours in F., C. and L., JOHN WILLIAMS ON. PORTLAND, ME., Aug. 15th, 159 7.
DEAR COMRADE,
Yours received with thanks; shall try to be on hand. I will see that the 1. Maine building is yours for the day, and your boys can visit it &- much as they poco Yours truly,
Cio. E. BROWN WASHINGTON, D. C., August 16th, 1Su5 MR. C. F. DAM,
My Dear Sir-I regret that I am obliged on account of public duties here to dle.F. your kind invitation to be present at the Annual Reunion of the First Maine Cov.in August twenty-third, at Peak's Island, Sincerely hoping you will have a full a' pleasant reunion, I am very truly yours, T. B. RMir.
WASHINGTON, D. C., August 15th, 189;
CHARLES F. DAM, ESQ.,
Dear Sir and Comrade -- Accept sincere thanks for the cordial invitation to part pate in the reunion of the glorious First Maine Cavalry at Peak's Island on .... twenty-third instant. I can think of nothing more delightful than a trip down For land Harbor with the gallant fellows who rode to victory with Douty, Smith, CM Thaxter and Brown. But my outpost duty is here now and I do not think it win. i possible for me to be in Maine on the twenty-third. Please give my heartiest gre : ings to the comrades and assure them that there are still some of us on the Banks the Potomac who have not forgotten who saved the life of this Republic.
Yours cordially, C. A. BOUTFUE :.
WASHINGTON, D. C., August 17th, 1403
C. F. DAM, Secretary, etc.,
Dear Sir -- Please accept very cordial thanks, and extend the same to the mic !!!! of the First Maine Cavalry for your kind invitation to their reunion at Peak's Is . on the twenty-third instant. I am sorry that my duties here will prevent my soving
TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REUNION.
myself the great pleasure of being present to pay my tribute of respect on that 02 sion to one of the most gallant regiments that went to the front in the war for the suppression of the rebellion. They have my admiration an ! affectionate regar i. Yours truly,
WASHINGTON, D. C., August 17th, 1895
DEAR SIR,
I should be very glad to accept your invitation to attend the Annual Pemion of tho First Maine Cavalry, at Peak's Island, on the twenty-thir t instant; but the conil. tion of the public business is such that I am unable to make any engagement for that time. With all good wishes for the occasion,
Yours very truly, EUGENE HALE.
CHARLES F. DAM, Secretary, etc.
WASHINGTON, D. C., August 17th, 199; C. F. DAM, Portland, Me.,
My Dear Sir -- I have received your courteous invitation to be present at the Annual Reunion of the First Maine Cavalry Association. I should be delighted to accept it but regret to say that under the circumstances it will be impossible. Please accept thanks. I am very truly, WM. P. FRYL.
AUGUSTA, August 15th, 1893.
CHAS. F. DAM, Secy. and Treas.,
My Dear Sir-I regret exceedingly that I shall be unable to be present at the even- ing reception of the First Maine Cavalry Association, on August twenty-third, as a previous engagement requires my absence from the city. With cordial good wishes for your association. I am very truly,
HENRY B. CLLAVES.
S. W. THAXTER, Portland,
COBOURG, ONT., August 22d, 1503.
My greetings and best wishes to the old boys. God bless them. Wish I were with. you all.
C. II. SVITII.
CHICAGO, August 19th, 1893.
GEN. J. P. CILLEY,
Dear General-It has been my intention for the last year to be with you and the regiment at this reunion, but this " financial war" has upset all my calculations all I find myself obliged "to fight it out on this line" and I can see that it is good to " take all summer " and perhaps a good share of the fall and winter. With kind regards to you and the boys of the First Maine, I remain
Sincerely yours, PERLEY LOWE.
The toastmaster also read the following poetical greeting. which was very warmly received :
A CAVALRY RAID. BY THE AUTHOR OF " AFTER TADS."
Unfurl the old flag, let it thrill you anew, Fling out from your housetops the red, white and blue; Hang out the bright yellow and make the town gay, For the old First Maine Cavalry ride here to-day.
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
Not with bugle and sabre and carbine they ride Not as warriors all nerved for the battle's red ti le; But with peace on their guidons, repose on their brows. In the spirit that bravely earned freedom endows.
It is many a year since I saw the old State, And inany the changes recorded by fate ; But I know that her blessing is still at the claim Of the blue-coated boys who once marched in her name.
For when the war sounded its tocsin of woe, A Spartan, old Maine bade her patriots-" Go! " And on many a field, swept by traitorous guns, Was shed, for the Union, the blood of her sons.
A price above rubies she offered to save The land of her love from Rebellion's wild wave; Not in vain was that pathway of loyalty trod, For in peace she is crowned with the favor of God.
Still reigns her proud country, united and free, Her fortunate ships whiten many a sea, While the fruit of her spindles is borne round the earth, And her statesmen bring fame to the home of their birth.
Oh, well do I know where your Boothby is laid, For to that very spot oft in childhood I strayed; I know the green sod that his brave form enshrincs, And the threnodies sung by the sorrowing pines.
Peace be to his ashes ! and peace to them all Who shrank not from duty though Death rang the call; And honor to all the old heroes to-day Who now, in life's autumn, are wearing the gray !
So fill up your glasses but not with Tokay, For wine would be treason where water holds sway, But with friendship's pure vintage that makes the heart glow- No State in the Union wine warmer can show.
Run up the oldl flag, then, and bless every thread, With a cheer for the living, a tear for the dead; Bring out the bright yellow and make the town gy, For the old First Maine Cavalry ride here to-day !
The toastmaster called upon various comrades for speechy pe story, and then followed an hour or two of enjoyable al mainly in a reminiscent vein. Gen. J. P. Cilley spoke strong of the bond which binds the comrades of the regiment together and how that bond is kept more firmly by the letters of the comrades in the BUGLE; that cach word written in the Echee
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TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REUNION.
is heard by a thousand men who wore the cavalry colors in the ranks of the First of Maine. Major Sidney W. Thanter Face an account of his experience in passing the regiment through the city of New York, when it went to the front in the winter of 1862, he having been detailed for that purpose. The story was new to all, was very interesting, and was a good cominen tary on how much the volunteer officers had to learn in the early days of their service. Major Henry C. Hall gave a humorous touch to some reminiscences of the last campaign of the Army of the Potomac. Comrade Albion C. Drinkwater called up memories of the grand reunion in Boston in 1389. Comrade Thomas B. Pulsifer presented a rather comical, though not overdrawn, sketch of the first horse he rode in the regiment -long-bodied, long-legged and awkward -- and of his experi- ences with that horse in the initial campaigns. Comrade Sam uel H. Allen spoke briefly of his connection with the regiment. Capt. Charles T. Chase told a story of the fight at Sailor's Creek, three days before the surrender of Gen. Lee, and how his report "the enemy are breaking " helped to win the day. Comrad. Charles W. Skillings spoke vigorously, paying a high tribute to Lieut. Col. Boothby, both as a soldier and as a man. Hospital Steward Emery T. Getchell interested the comrades with hospi- tal reminiscences, among which was a story of a comrade who was cured of a long illness by a liberal and persistent use of brown bread pills. Comrade Charles E. Jacks spoke eloquently, first paying tribute to the ladies, and then drawing remarkably vivid pictures of the main incidents of the last grand campaign. Comrade Joseph B. Peakes spoke patriotically, and in the course of his remarks so alluded to our late comrade Winsor B. Smith, as to bring up many recollections of his fidelity and bravery. Comrade Leroy H. Tobie told the story of the First Maine Cavalry and the watermelons, which everyone appreciated and enjoyed. Brief remarks were also made by Surgeon Alexander M. Parker, Comrades Gilbert N. Harris, Melville B. Cook, Charles B. Kenney, Albert Edgecomb, the newly elected vice president, and others. During the evening the toastmaster read the following, prepared for the occasion :
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
MY OLD ARMY HORSE. BY EDWARD P. TOBIE.
I couldn't have called him a beauty --- oh, no; He wouldn't have taken the prize at a fair; He hadn't the points of a thoroughbred steed -- No signs of Arabian pedigree there;
But no horse rode by Grant, or by Sheridan brave, No historical charger with high-sounding name, No pet of the race-course, no king of the road, Ever better deserved to be honored by fame.
He did his full duty through four years of war; What horse could do better, what man can say more? He was true to our colors in camp and in field,
And he gave up his life for the land we adore.
Untrained were we both when we went into camp, Together we took our first lessons in Grill; He learned how to carry me, I how to ride. And each to obey a superior will.
So we grew up together in war's cruel ways, And he stood by me always, a friend good and true; We shared the same dangers, the same hardships bore, As together we served for the red, white and blue.
Together we marched over many a mile; Oft in darkness of midnight, o'er pathways unseen, When he carried me safely, this good horse of mine, With his foot ever sure and his eye ever keen.
When with march and with scout and with raid, night and day. We were weary and worn and in sorrowful plight, I oft slept in the saddle, while he plodded on And kept in his place in the column all right.
We stood picket together on many a night, And he was as good a vidette as was I, For he warned me oftimes, with his vigilant ears, In the darkness and stillness, that danger was nigh.
And I always depended on him in the dark, To take me to camp when from picket relieved, For his instinct was sure where my reason would fail -- I trusted him fully and ne'er was deceived.
In the charge, wild and grand, with confusion supreme, The least motion of rein or of spur he'd obey, As if he understood, in the battle's wild din, That I only could bring him safe out of the fray.
He often went hungry, so often did 1,
Till starvation threatened and all was forlorn,
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TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL. REUNION.
But we shared with each other, we brothers-in-arms, And oft ate a lunch from the same er of corn.
Together we slept, many times, he and I, As I lay on the ground with his rein o'er my arm And he stood close beside me, this comrade of mine, Like a sentinel faithful, to guard me from harm.
Thus together we shared in the fortunes of war Till the cloud of surrender hung low over Lee And we made our last charge on the enemy's lines,
When the same southern bullet struck him that struck me.
I thought not of him as I rode from the field, Nor noticed that he, my best friend, had been hit, But when he had borne me well out of harm's way,
He lay down and died -- had e'er man better grit?
Are there horses in heaven? Then my old army horse Is in heaven with winged heels, and is waiting the day That I'll mount him again, then to course, he and I, O'er the green fields of Eden, forever and aye.
The president made a few remarks of farewell, and the exer- cises closed. Then ice cream and cake were served, and the comrades and their friends passed a very pleasant social hour. Much credit is due to the local committee of arrangements- Comrades Leroy H. Tobie, Sidney W. Thaxter, Samuel H. Shorey, Caleb N. Lang, William H. Howard and Charles F. Dam.
The following notes of the reunion are taken from the Port- land papers :
Among the comrades present was William Maloon of Auburn, who acted as bugler. He was the old bugler of Co. G, the " gray horse " company, and had with him the very bugle which he used in the old campaigns. The yellow cavalry cor l that held the bugle to his side was also the identical one used in the war, an la faded stain on a portion of it marked where it was wet with its owner's bloo l at the cavalry fight at Deep Bottom, on the James River, in the days when Grant was closing in on Richmond.
One of the pleasant features of the gathering was the meeting of eleven " charter " members of Company F who spent the winter together at Camp Peno'scot. Augusta. during the winter of '61 and '62. They were Alfred Pierce of Arlington, Mass . James A. Smith of Intervale, Me., Levi Toothaker of Brunswick, George H. Chase of Intervale, H. B. Soule of Yarmouth, F. A. Cummings of Freeport, N. S. Hawkes of Rangeley, George S. Boyd of Yarmouth, Charles F. Dam and Charles W. Skillings of Portland. Charles F. Dam and Charles W. Skillings are the only two surviving members who enlisted from Portland. These comrades of F had a picture taken and sent to their old companion, Joe Darling, Malaga, Cal.
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FIRST MAINE BUGIE.
THE ASSEMBLY.
The war has ceased; and now in peaceful halls I'm called upon to sound the bugle calls. I, too, shall cease; but not, I pray, until Some veteran's son and grandson learns to trill This bugle's call " To Arms," and " Boots and Saddles."
Turn to the Assembly of July Call, 1893. Road again the editorial note of that issue wherein, unconsciously, the very substance of the conclu- sion of the Portland reunion vote was anticipated. Turn also to the occasion of our birth and baptism at Augusta, September 26th, 1872, when you applauded these words, "I further speak for myself aud for a host of others, both present and absent, that we stand ready now and hence- forth, even as fortune has or shall favor us, to contribute of our abundance towards the in- terest of this Association." Read also the burning words of James G. Blaine, uttered August 7th, 1878, at Augusta, Me., before crowded galleries, and in the presence of many representatives of the Russian empire: "I am sure the First
Maine Cavalry has giony enough in its annals not to die out in the generation that off inated this occasion and fur- nished the heroes. But I an sure, as long as the results of that war in which they fought arc appreciated by man, thi; the remotest descendants of those who are here to-night will look back with pride and with triumph to the record that their ancestors made in that great war." Similar sen- timents have been the key note of all our gatherings. The
fact that the issuance of our annual proceedings, as well as our quarterly publication, hav. been discussed and questioned in two of our reunions, is not to be ignored. It has been argued that the First Maine Cavalry has no need of blov - ing her horn; that her recort and her losses stand unequaled
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THE ASSAMPLY.
in the cavalry service; that such record needs no further publishment. But is it wise to shut our mouths and go to sleep as regards our service and our comradeship before the natural and inevitable period for such final sleep? Shall whitening years benumb our hearts and hands to the memories of a glad and happy past at this season of our lives ? God forbid now, as in the time of war, we die before our time for dying comes. Let us live while we do live, with a heart and hand and ear for each comrade of the dear old regi- ment and for every other good comrade of the red and blue insignias who stood with us or for the good cause in the years of 1861 and 1865. With this issue the First Maine BUGLE dies as the financial child of the First Maine Cavalry; but as the organ of the Cavalry Society of the Armies of the United States, as the mouth- piece of the " Men of Maine" who served in the war of the rebellion as artillery, infantry or cavalry, with a prestige and record typified in a remarka- ble manner by the State motto, the " Maine Bugle " will from January, 1894, blow four times a year.
Jis echoing notes your memorie rhall rene From e'xty .op ueril 1 . grand r ve: . Where elbow touched and trop roa Bad to brill,
Triumphant 'neath the f'ag that South and North salute.
Outsde the Fort.
A few years ago, when the improvement in artillery and explosives had rendered many of our fortifications obsolete, the Secretary of War asked Gen. Sherman what he would do in case he was called upon to defend these forts. Gen Sherman replied : " If I were called on to defend those fort. from the assault of an enemy I should go outside of them." If a call on the First Maine Cavalry Association is made for help or rescue, we are forced to go outside the State of Maine and call upon Mars- achusetts.
BOSTON BRANCH ASSOCIATION
The startled air had hardiy ceased its vibration over the vote of August twenty-third when ten men of Massachu- setts, after a hurried consulta- tion, told your treasurer to go forward with the BOGLE; that they would stand as his finan- cial backers.
MASSACHUSETTS.
This is the ratio: Whereas the average of payments from
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
the nine hundred surviving members of the association in Maine, although a few have given right royally, have aver- aged less than one dollar, the ratio of giving by the members of the association living in Massachusetts have averaged near one hundred dollars ! Yet the comrades in Maine grumbled while those in Mas- sachusetts continue their loyal support.
ASLEEP.
Every member of the old regiment outside of Maine, by letters affectionate and gener- ous, shows himself alive to all the good interests of our organ- ization, while many a member in Maine is asleep, or dulled by an apparent indifference that is akin to virtual death, to the memories and record of our regimental life.
How to Be Alive. A SPIRITUAL REUNION.
Capt. D. H. L. Gleason, who with his squadron of the First Massachusetts Cavalry charged the enemy at Ground Squirrel bridge and held the rebel force that was crushing our regiment and for which service he re- ceived no mention or credit in our history, but the credit and
thanks are given to another regiment, thus illustrates the effect of his laborious two years work as statistician of the First Massachusetts Cat- alry, vide page 313. History First Massachusetts Cavalry :
For two years I have been living over again the incidents and ser s of ario life. Again I have seen the faces ani heard the voices of brave, manly fellove who were your comra les anl rifn .; again have I stood by the side of a brode comrade who has given has hife for his country, or by the wounded, who, with lips compressed to conceal his suferag. declines the proffered helo, and rese- lutely refuses to leave the field. or, if forced to do so, complies with reluctance and regret. The dreary can , and pollet duty, the shot and alarm, the bagle mail. camp song and jest, the letter sent ani received, the long line of horses wit! their ever restless movement, like waves of the sea --- all these memories, with many more, come thronging to my heart and brain, effacing time; and again we are present in person, as we were twenty- five and more years ago."
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