USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Reading > History of Reading, Windsor County, Vermont. Vol. II > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
The great crowd was in the best of humor, and noth- ing occurred to disturb the quiet and good order of the day.
President Geo. D. Burnham was the right man in the right place. His speeches in introducing the several speakers were terse and to the point. The secretary, D. E. Washburn, has worked hard to make this gathering a success and is deserving of special mention.
Three hundred visitors registered at the "Gilbert A. Davis Library Building," Miss Minnie C. Fay and George Gilbert having charge of the building.
There was a spirited base-ball game at 4 o'clock on the ground of A. E. Locke, Amsden vs. Brownsville. The day was superb, the crowd in good humor, and this will be a day long to be remembered in Reading, and among the sons and daughters of Reading, who are scat- tered throughout the world. Besides a large number of the residents, the towns of Bethel, Woodstock, Pomfret, Bridgewater, Plymouth, Ludlow, Chester, Springfield, Weathersfield, Cavendish, West Windsor, Windsor and Hartland were well represented. Outside of Vermont, people were present from New Hampshire, Massachu- setts, New York, Colorado, North Dakota, Illinois and other states.
Great credit is due to all the standing committee for their efficient services, to the generosity of the citizens of Reading in furnishing a free banquet, and to young la- dies and gentlemen who served at the tables.
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
OFFICERS.
President, George D. Burnham; vice-presidents, Fred C. Furber, Mrs. N. E. E. Perkins ; secretary, D.
50
HISTORY OF READING.
E. Washburn ; treasurer, B. M. Newton.
Executive Committee-Dr. W. R. Kinson, B. M. Newton, M. G. Amsden.
Program and Location Committee-B. M. Newton, Mrs. O. S. Holden. Henry N. Bryant.
Finance Committee-C. N. Hook, N. E. E. Perkins, Abel Ray, S. M. Sherwin.
Dinner Committee-Mrs. F. C. Furber, Mrs. D. E. Washburn, Mrs. Harry Burnham, Mrs. Frank Davis, Mrs. Hattie Wilkins.
Chaplains-Rev. Charles Wells, Rev. Ira Carter.
Committee on Decoration-Mrs. E. B. Watkins,
Mrs. Bertha Watkins, Miss H. Gertrude Roscoe.
CHAPTER IV. SOLDIERS' TABLETS.
At the Old Home Day exercises, Aug. 14, 1901, in Reading, Mr. Gilbert A. Davis proposed that bronze tab- lets should be provided and placed on the front or on the interior walls of the Library Building, to commemorate the memory of the soldiers of Reading, who had served in the different wars in which the United States had been engaged. Mr. Davis followed up this proposition by taking active measures to raise the necessary funds. His efforts met with a ready response, the money was raised and the tablets cast and put in place, and unveiled with appropriate ceremonies on May 30, 1902. A tablet has been placed on the front wall at each side of the front door, and bear the following inscriptions.
At the north of the door :-
Soldiers of Reading in Vermont Regiments, War of 1861-5. Natives and Residents.
Company
Second Regiment.
White, Daniel S., Capt., I
Emery, Elmer A., Serg., I
Dodge. Lorenzo A., Corp., I
*Allen, Henry, H
51
HISTORY OF READING.
Bailey, James,
A
Crosby, John,
I
Dugan, Wm. H. H.,
C
Gilson, Curtis H.,
A
Gilson, Forest D.,
I
Grant, Chas. G.,
I
Holden, Philemon,
I
Holmes, Elmer G.,
I
Hubbard, Myron E., Corp.
I
Nichols, Amos E.,
I
Pierce, Rufus F.,
I
*Ray, Abel T ..
I
Twiss, Samuel B., I
Third Regiment.
Bowers, Alphonso, A
Jenness, Ozro, A.,
Marsh, Henry C.,
Messenger, Wm. O.,
A
Fourth Regiment.
Bixby, Martin J., Com. Sergt., C
Wait, Henry O., Ist. Sergt , C
Coburn, Ansel O., Corp.,
*Allard, Willman D.,
Coburn, Frank J.,
Gilson, Collamer E.,
Keyes, Gould D.,
Fifth Regiment.
Hagar, Henry D.,
D
Sixth Regiment.
Amsden, Wm. E., C
Butler. Andrew J.,
H H
*Butler, Oliver B.,
Gates, Abel F.,
C H
Holmes, John W.,
C
Phillips, Lucian,
Pierce, Geo. W.,
D
Pierce, Oscar, C
C H
G C D
52
HISTORY OF READING.
Spaulding, Simon H., C
ยท
Spear, Edwin S., K
Whitmore, Kosciusko, C
Williams, Chas. M., C
Seventh Regiment.
*Hoyt, Alonzo H., Sergt., H
Bryant, Oscar B., D
Gilson, Henry H., G
Hoadley, Henry C.,
G
Johnson, Napoleon B., H
*Noyes, James H., G
Wilkins, Lucius O., Corp .. B
*Washburn, Darwin E., Miscellaneous.
H
Bidgood, Wm. H., Co. H., 13th. N. Y. Vols.
Wells, Allen W., Co. I., 13th. N. Y. Cav.
Huntley, Clark W., Ist. Lieut. Co. K. 22nd. N. Y. Vols.
*Humphreys, Willard W., Co. E., 9th. N. H.
Crandall, Lovell D., Co. D. 34th. N. Y. Vols.
* Members of Henry E. Giddings Post, No. 97, G. A. R.
At the south of the door :-
Soldiers of Reading in Vermont Regiments, War of 1861-5, Natives and Residents.
Ninth Regiment.
Duphinney, Phillip, B
Harlow, Chas. W., I
Morrill, Lewis W., E
D
*Smith, David D., Tenth Regiment.
Parker, Geo. C., F
Dunn, Daniel, H
53
HISTORY OF READING.
Noyes, Rufus Piper, Nathaniel,
H
K
Eleventh Regiment.
*Bailey, Wm. D., D
Putnam, Jonas A.,
I
Twelfth Regiment.
*Perkins, Norman E. E., Sergt., A
Bryant, Henry N., Buck, Ambrose D.,
*Buck, Elton F., Cushman, Cornelius J., A
A
*Hoisington, David, A I
Nichols, Moses,
North, Edward M.,
A
Paige, Edwin M.,
A
Parker, Denison,
Price, Edgar C.,
A
Wait, Wm. A.,
Wait, Wm. D.,
A
Thirteenth Regiment.
*Best, Marcus A., K
Fourteenth Regiment.
Keyes, Elmer D., Capt., H
Clark, Geo. M., 2nd. Lieut.,
E
Hawkins, Geo. D., 2nd. Lieut., K.
*Coolidge, Lorenzo G., Sergt., C
*Keyes, Wm. W., Sergt., H
Davis, Edmund P.,
H
Hawkins, Floyd, F.,
H
Martin, Joseph D.,
White, Azro,
Seventeenth Regiment.
Giddings, Benj. F., Capt., B
*Giddings, Hiram A., Sergt., G
Wells, Edwin L., Corp., I
Marcy, Howard T., Corp., E
54
HISTORY OF READING.
Amsden, Alzamon D., H
Brown, James A., G
Cross, Levi A., F
Minor, Henry A., E
Wiley, Harvey P.,
I
*Stewart, Samuel, ,
G
Ist, Battery.
Emery, Nelson W., Sergt.
Emery, Norman O.
*Mahoney, Edmund F.
2nd. U. S. S. S.
Giddings, Henry E., Corp.,
Brown, Geo. E., F
Brown, Geo. T., H
Demary, Edward W.,
H
H
Gay, Stillman O., Ist. Vt. Cavalry.
*Bryant, Carlos E
*Members of Henry. E. Giddings Post, No. 97, G. A. R.
On the interior walls of the Reading Room have been placed two bronze tablets, bearing the following inscrip- tions.
On Ist. Tablet.
Soldiers of Reading in Revolutionary War.
For Co., Regt., and Term of Service, see History of Reading.
Capt. Wm. A. Hawkins.
Lieut. White.
Sergt. Abiah Rice.
*Corp. Rufus Forbush. Solomon Keyes. Privates
Abel Amsden. Asa Bixby. Moses Chaplin.
55
HISTORY OF READING.
George Clark. Oliver Davis.
Darling. Timothy Fullam. Abel Gilson, Jr. Nathan Hatch. James Hall. Benjamin Hathorn.
Josiah Harris.
Jeremiah Johnson.
Gideon Kirtland.
Thomas Nichols.
Moses Nutting.
Nathaniel Pratt.
William Rist,
Ebenezer Robinson,
James Robinson, Benjamin Sawyer,
Cornelius Sawyer,
- Thomas Townsend,
Amos Wetherbee, Daniel Wetherbee,
*Omitted by mistake from this Tablet.
Served in the Spanish War, 1898 :--
Charles L. Douglas, Co. D., Ist N. H George A. Roy. Co. G, Ist Vt.
War of 1861-5 :-
Sardine Marks, Co. D., 33d Regt. N. H. Vols.
On Second Tablet. Soldiers of Reading, War of 1812 :-
Members of 7th Co., 3rd Regiment Vermont De- tached Militia. Mustered in Sept. 19, 1812, (31st. Reg- iment, U. S. Vols).
56
HISTORY OF READING.
Ist Sergt., Abel Gilson, Jr., 4th Sergt., Rufus Forbush, Privates.
Asa Belden,
Elijah Chandler, Samuel R. Dudley, Levi Grandy,
Willard Holden,
Amos Lane,
Seneca Marks,
Joshua Sawyer, Josiah Wetherbee,
In other Organizations, see History of Reading.
Ist Lieut., John York Sawyer,
Kendall Boutwell,
David Burnham, Robert Dunlap,
John Haggett,
Henry Giddings,
Benjamin Grandy, John Grandy,
Samuel Johnson,
Benjamin R. Nutting, Abiel Persons. William Robinson,
Elisha Sawyer. Joseph Wood.
57
HISTORY OF READING.
CHAPTER V. MILITARY RECORDS.
The Military records of the Revolutionary Soldiers, whose names are to be found on the Tablets in the Read- ing Room of the Library, is hereafter given, so far as the facts have come to the knowledge of the editor.
Abel Amsden, of Groton, Mass.
Private, 20 May, 1775, served 2 mos. 11 days, Col. Prescott's Reg. Private, 6 June. 1778, served 8 mos. I day at N. River, New York, in Col. Ezra Wood's Reg. [See sketch of his life in this volume.]
Asa Bixby. Private in Capt. John Parker's Co., Col. Robin- son's Reg., from Aug. 1, 1777, to Jan. 1, 1778.
David Burnham, Amherst, N. H. Private in Co. of Capt. Benj. Taylor, which marched 8 Dec., 1775, to Continental Army at Winter Hill, Somerville, Mass. Private in June Company of Capt. Nath. Ballard, 29 June to 12 July, 1777, and marched to Otter Creek, Vt., where he received news of evacuation of Ft. Ticonderoga. Private in Co. of Capt. John Bradford, 19 July, 1777, to 18 Sept., 1777, served at Bennington.
58
HISTORY OF READING.
Rufus Forbush
Appears with rank of Private on Lexington Alarm Roll of Capt. Seth Morris' Co., Maj. Genl. Ward's Regiment, which marched on alarm of April 19th, 1775, from Westborough. Length of Service 14 days .- Vol. 12, Page 193-Also appears with rank of Corporal on Muster and Pay Roll of Capt. Timothy Brigham's Co., Col. Job Cush- ing's Regt., raised to reinforce Northern Army. Enlisted July 27th, 1777, Discharged Aug. 29th, 1777 at Bennington. Mass. Records, Vol. 12, Page 196. This name was omitted by mistake from the Tablets with the other Revolutionary Soldiers, but is placed upon a Special Tablet.
Moses Chaplin.
Private, name on pay roll of Col. Enoch Hale's Reg. Militia, Capt. Josiah Brown, enlisted May 6, 1777, time of service in this Company, 48 days. His name also appears on the pay-roll of Capt. Dan'1 Rand's Co., in Col. Dan'l Moore's Reg. of Vol. from Rindge, N. H. Joined Northern Con- tinental Army under Gen'l Gates, Sept. 27, 1777, Discharged Oct. 18. 1777.
Benjamin Hathorn.
Private, Capt. Benj. Spaulding's Co., raised from Col. Moses Nichol's Reg. of Militia. Joined Continental Army at West Point. Emlisted July 3, 1780, Discharged Oct. 20, 1780.
William A. Hawkins of Wilton, N. H.
Sergt. in Capt. Walker's Co. at Bunker Hill, promoted ensign, enlisted in 3rd N. H. Reg., Col. Alex. Scammel. App. Ist Lieut. 7 Nov., 1776, later Capt., taking part in Gen'l Sullivan's expedition, and resigned July 1780. Was Pri-
59
HISTORY OF READING
vate in Capt. Hill's Co., on Seavy Island Nov. 1775, and in 2nd Reg. Sept. 1776.
(See sketch of his life in this History. )
Solomon Keyes, Warren, Mass.
Private July, 1776, to Jan. 1778, Capt. Newhell's Co., in Col. Danforth's Reg. Serg. Nov. 3, to Nov. 18, 1778, Col. Gerrish's Reg., guarding Burgoyne's Army. (See sketch of his life in this History. )
Abiah Rice, Lancaster, Mass.
Enlisted as Private. age 18, for 9 mos., 4 July, 1779. Enlisted as Private, age 20, for war I July 1780, and became Corporal and Sergeant.
Nathaniel Pratt, New Ipswich, N. H.
Private Oct. 22, 1776, to Nov. 16, 1776, Col. Hale's Reg., marched to Ticonderoga. Private 28 Sept., to 25 Oct., 1777, Col. Moore's Reg., march- ed to Saratoga. Private 8 March, to 20 April, 1777, Col. Hale's Reg., marched to Ticonderoga. [See sketch of his life in this History. ]
James Robinson, Lexington.
Private June 19, 1778, for 9 mos., Col. Brooke's Reg. Private Aug. 26, 1780, to Mar. 1, 1781. In Naval Service 1781-1782. Private May I, 1782, enlisted for 3 years. (See sketch of Eben- ezer Robinson. in History of Reading. )
Ebenezer Robinson. [See sketch of his life on page 101, in History of Reading. ]
Thomas Townsend. [See sketch of his life in this History ]
60
HISTORY OF READING.
The military record of the soldiers of the 1812 war is found in the first volume of the History of Reading.
And the same volume contains the Military record of the 1861-5 soldiers, except as hereafter stated :-
Seneca Marks.
Enlisted as a private of 7th Co., 3rd Reg. Ver- mont Detached Militia, and was mustered into the U. S. Service, Sept. 19, 1812, to serve during the war. This company was commanded by Capt. Asa Briggs of Plymouth. He was then 19 years old, of light complexion, 5 feet, 7 I-2 inches high, and by occupation, a farmer. He was the father of John Wesley Marks, who re- sided at Felchville, and was a blacksmith. He married Julia Ann Hyland. His children were :
[1] Sardine Marks, who was born in Reading, and lived in his early boyhood with his grandfather, Reuben Hyland at Cavendish, Vt. Later, he lived many years at Reading, Vt., in the family of Carlos Hawkins, who was his guardian, and who married his aunt, Jane Hyland.
Sardine Marks volunteered and was mustered into the serviee in Co. D, 3rd Reg. N. H., Vols., on the 19th day of Aug. A. D. 1861, for 3 years. He re-enlisted Jan. 1, 1864, and was killed May 13, 1864, at Ball's Bluff, Va.
[2] Clarence W. Marks, who is now living in Chicago, Il1., and a prosperous wholesale dealer in boots and shoes, at 5 and 6 Washington St. Mr. Marks has be- come famous, not only in his business, which has made him one of the wealthy men of that great city, but also, as the owner of the world-renowned "Joe Patchen." with a record of having trotted a mile in 2.01 1-4.
61
HISTORY OF READING.
CHAPTER VI.
Exercises at Felchville, Vt., on Decoration Day. Friday May the 30th., 1902.
Decoration of the graves of the Soldiers in the fore- noon, under direction of the Henry E. Giddings Post. No. 97, G. A. R. Exercises at Baptist Church at 2 P. M.
I Music, Meriden, N. H .. Cornet Band.
2 Introduction of the President of the Day, by Abel T. Ray, Chairman of the Executive Committee.
3 . Introductory Address by B. M. Newton, Esq., Pres- ident of the Day.
4 Prayer by Rev. P. M. Bauknight.
5 Music by the Glee Club.
6 Address by Hon. G. A Davis.
7 Address by Rev. P. M. Bauknight.
8 Music by Band.
9 Poem by Rev. Homer White, read by Frank H. Clark.
IO Recitation by Myrtle Coy.
II Song by Minnie C. Coy.
12 Address by Rev. Gertrude Roscoe.
13 Music by the Glee Club.
14 Poem by Lorenzo A. Dodge.
15 Address by Rev. Mr. Roberts, of Brownsville, Vt.
16 Music by the Band. Adjournment to the front of Library Building.
17 Music by the Band.
18 Address by Hon. G. A. Davis.
19 Unveiling of Tablets, by Committee of Ladies ap- pointed for that purpose.
20 Singing by a Quartette of Ladies.
21 Benediction by Rev. Miss Gertrude Roscoe.
(We give the Addresses and Poems so far as they have been furnished to the Editor. )
62
HISTORY OF READING.
Address of Hon. Gilbert A. Davis, May 30, 1902 :-
The snows of more than thirty-six winters had fallen upon many of the graves of the sons of Reading, who had served in the Union Army, in the war of 1861-5. God had kissed their graves with his sunshine for all these years, and made them green with natural verdure, but until this time, no lasting memento in stone or bronze had been erected to perpetuate their memories.
'The graves of the heroic dead have again been dec- orated today-a worthy duty.
We who enjoy the fruits of the toils and sacrifices of these men, in the possession of happy homes, a prosper- ous and united country, are gathered in honor of the day, and as I have been asked to address you, my theme will be :--
"Elements of National Greatness and Prosperity." What makes a country great and happy ?
Not alone sunny skies and a salubrious climate- not material wealth, not alone strong armies and magnif- icent navies-not great populations, not alone the learn- ing and refinements of life.
You have but to recall Italy, China, Greece and Rome as illustrations of my negations.
All these elements are important.
On the contrary with these, there must be found firm- ly planted in the hearts of the people, PURE and ARDENT, UNSELFISH and PATRIOTIC devotion to the highest inter- ests of their country.
We have this idea expressed in the beautiful language of the poet :-
" God give us MEN : a time like this DEMANDS
" Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands ;
" Men whom the lust of office does not kill ;
" Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy ;
" Men who have honor : men who will not lie ;
" Men who can stand before a demagogue,
" And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking ;
63
HISTORY OF READING.
" Tall men, sun crowned, who live above the fog, " In public duty, and in private thinking."
One element of true patriotism, is LOVE OF HOME.
It is the rivet that fastens it to any particular portion of the habitable earth. It is forged and fixed while our minds and hearts are tender, impressible and most easily attached. The affection thus established, becomes a pure, deep, and ever-powerful instinct of the nature, Note that plain, expressive maxim, "Home is home, be it ever so homely," and it is adopted in the better moods of every heart.
The spot where the light of existence first dawned upon us, where we first beheld the blue heavens, where the mysteries of nature first challenged our wondering gaze, that spot, however far we may wander from it, how- ever much beside may burden our memories, is naturally to us the center of the world. There the hills and moun- tains seemed higher, the streams larger, their music sweeter ; the meadows appeared broader and greener, the thunder sounded louder, and the girls seemed the prettier.
There are the particular spots where we played, the. sand banks from whose treacherous stones we formed mimic towns and fortifications, the little pond where we launched our miniature ships, and sunk our deceitful though not dangerous pin-hooks, and the young grove where our pop-guns and cross-bows excited the derision of the squirrels and jays.
And more than all, beneath that roof, whether hum- ble or aspiring in its dimensions and architecture, we first looked up into a mother's loving countenance, irra- diated with smiles, furrowed with care, or tear-spangled with sadness.
There a father's look of pride first rested upon us, brotherly and sisterly affection wove the silken net-work around our hearts.
He who has no home to love, has no country to love ; where home is, whether on sunny or fertile plains, or
64
HISTORY OF READING.
amid rough and snow-clad rocks-there is one's country. MY COUNTRY is but a wider term for MY HOME. The welfare of MY COUNTRY is the welfare of MY HOME.
But not only does the home to which we are attached give LOCATION to our patriotism ; it also EDUCATES it.
On the mother's knees, the child takes its first lessons in patriotism. Next to GOD and GOODNESS is lisped the name of that country which is to be the theatre of its future efforts.
The best country has the best homes; and these homes are powerful for good, as the mothers who make them are true to their high and sacred trust.
The MOTHER has the first claim, the first influence, and makes the first and deepest impressions. The FATHER has a great influence, but HE had a mother who made him what he is.
Men conduct business, guide the affairs of state, fill high offices, fight great battles, and stand out prominent- ly in the world's history as great statesmen and patriots.
But the large-hearted mothers do more : for they fur- nish the world with such characters. In the humble, se- cluded cot, toiling, and thinking, and praying, and in- structing the little ones around her, the good mother is shaping the destinies of nations, and writing their future history.
. In 1861, when secession had permeated every branch of the government, scattered the navy, weakened the army, robbed the treasury, hurried the great Lincoln through Baltimore in disguise and in darkness, on his way to the Capitol, the existence of the nation depended upon the loyalty of the sons and daughters of the North to HOME and COUNTRY,- and that loyalty can be traced back to its foundation and source, the loyal, Christian mothers of the North.
ADHERENCE TO PRINCIPLE is another element of na- tional greatness and prosperity.
Principles never temporize, no matter what those may
65
HISTORY OF READING,
who profess them : they are exacting and inexorable, and utterly regardless of the state of the vote or the count, whether fair or false, whether tissue ballots are used, or the ballot box robbed.
Principles will always have their day in court, and against us or our children, God will give them judgment and execution and satisfaction thereof, to the uttermost farthing, for their every violation.
We have seen death and destruction, the fell officers of eternal justice, abroad in the land, levying upon the very life of the generation the tremendous damages which three centuries of enslaved and outraged humanity had recovered against this nation.
The nation has survived the fearful ordeal, and we are here to honor the victors.
And we have a Republic that is not a SHAM, but a SOVEREIGNTY under organic law, that is able and ready to give back to its citizens something in return for serv- ices rendered. This is not a weak, spineless, rickety Re- public, or one on any Spanish-American pattern. having no iron in its blood, and ready to break down at the first hostile pronunciamento. It stands forth GREAT, BOTH IN PEACE AND IN WAR, and by its regard for law and order, by its devotion to human rights, by its adherence to every pledge of public faith, by its matchless march of freedom, and its progressive spirit, has shown itself ABLE and WORTHY to rule and protect this great people.
Among the other elements of patriotism, is a Love of Liberty.
Freedom is the birthright of every man ; yet some sell it for nothing-not even getting in return a 'mess of pottage.' The inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are ours. In this great land, we. have freedom of pursuit, freedom to ASPIRE to and REACH the highest PLACES of POWER, and the HIGHEST STANDARD of INTELLECTUAL CULTURE.
This love of liberty nerved the arms, and emboldened
66
HISTORY OF READING.
the hearts of the heroes of '76, and caused the Boys who wore the blue to "rally 'round the flag" in 1861.
"When a noble act is done, perhaps in a scene of great natural beauty ; when Leonidas and his 300 martyrs con- sume one day in dying, and the sun and moon come each and look at them once in the steep defile of Thermopy- lae; when Arnold Winkelreid in the high Alps, under the shadow of the avalanche, gathers in his side a sheaf of Austrian spears to break the line for his comrades : are not these heroes entitled to the beauty of the scene, to the beauty of the deed ?"
When in the great struggle of this Nation for her ter- ritorial integrity-for the loyalty of ALL the citizens of ALL the states, North, South, East, and West-from the Gulf to the Great Lakes-from ocean to ocean-there came about that great uprising of the loyal men of the North, and yet later, the striking of the shackles from the slaves, and their enrolment under the starry banner of the Nation; are not the noble deeds of those noble men, worthy of eter- nal remembrance ?
If today I were to call the roll of those sons of Read- ing who wore the blue, and whose sacred dust reposes in Reading-or who sleep in honored .though unmarked- and today undecorated graves-nearer the scene of their martyrdom, we should hear a long list of historic names.
They were men who made history, and stamped the impress of their courage and patriotism upon the age in which they lived-men whose FAME is destined to in- crease, because they lived and died as representatives of those great principles that are the foundation of our National Greatness, and will live so long as this Repub- lic exists.
The wreath or bunch of flowers, the flag, the other offerings today to be placed upon "the lone couch of the everlasting sleep" of these fallen heroes as mementoes of affection and esteem-though inexpensive when esti-
4
67
HISTORY OF READING.
mated by the world's sordid, selfish standards, -YET ARE OF COUNTLESS VALUE when estimated by the mighty re- sults which have come to the Nation, the State, the Town, the individuals, from the valor of these- men. "Graves, they say, are warmed by glory." By these sim- ple services, a lesson of patriotism will be taught the ris- ing generation who only know of the War of the Great Rebellion, as they do of the Revolution-from history. By these floral tributes, we attest our GRATITUDE for all of national peace and happiness that we possess-for civ- il and religious liberty-for the united country, the ven- erated constitution and the glorious history of our com. mon heritage; yea, more, we attest our veneration for these honored dead, their unsullied record, and their glo- rious deeds -- "Gratitude is the fairest blossom that springs from the soul."
The members of that great, loyal army that went forth under the old flag, and returned as heroes, hold a nearer and tenderer relation to these graves -- that of com- rade, brother.
What tender memories of camp and field, of toil, danger, hardships, privations, yea, of success and tri- umph come rushing across the minds of the veterans at these simple decoration services.
Some of you stood shoulder to shoulder with the men whose graves you have today decorated.
To say that they were partisans, is to praise them. The man who is not a partisan, is without convictions, or if he has convictions, he is false to them. These men were sublimely and simply true. Nobody and nothing dismayed them. They were the ETERNAL ROCKS on the battle line between right and wrong.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.