Col. George W. Hooker responded to the toast, “Our Better Halves." He said that the two great characteristics of the women of Vermont and of the Union were affection and faith; and he illustrated both qualities with some admirable stories. The Woman's Relief Corps is doing a service that none other can do. The women of Vermont will take care of our soldiers, and see that no one of them is a pauper or object of charity. The toast, "The Woman's Relief Corps, the Sister Organization of the G. A. R., which exhibits the womanly virtues of Charity, Mercy and Humanity," Gen. Paul Vandervoort of Omaha, Neb., responded gallantly, saying among other good things that we would not have conquered in the great struggle if it had not been for the women of the Union. Col. Redfield Proctor responded to the toast "Our Vermont Infantry, called by one who knew them well but who was not a Vermonter, 'the Model and Type of Volunteer Soldiers." Col. Proctor said the toast had been given him at a late hour and he had asked a comrade to give him some points on the early days of the infantry. The friend stated that the first fight between infantry was that of Cain and Abel. Everyone knows that the infantry is the bone and strength of the army. All contests between opposing forces must finally be settled by the infantry. He hoped there would be no occasion to take up arms in this country again, but wars are always possible and in peace is the time to prepare for war. With Gov. Proctor's speech the reunion was brought to a close. In the number and character of officers present, in the eminence of its invited guests, and in the general spirit and character of the speeches this reunion was classed among the largest and best ever held by the society. Letters of regret were received from the following invited guests: Lieutenant-General Philip Sheridan, Major-General William F. Smith, Senator George F. Edmunds, Senator Justin S. Morrill, ex-Governor Paul Dillingham, Hon. Wm. W. Grout, M. C., Corporal James Tanner, General N. M. Curtis, General J. N. Patterson, General G. W. Wingate, and others. TWENTY-THIRD REUNION. MONTPELIER, NOVEMBER 3, 1886. The twenty-third annual meeting of the Reunion Society of Vermont Officers was held at Montpelier, November 3, 1886. About 150 officers were in attendance, many of them bringing their wives. The proceedings were marked by the usual harmony and good feeling. The business meeting, held in the general committee room at the State House, was called to order by Lieut.-Col. Aldace F. Walker, president of the society. The treasurer, Major L. G. Kingsley, presented his report, showing a balance of $2.50 due the treasurer. Secretary Smith reported a balance of $79 due the secretary on current expenses of his office; and it was voted that Col. Hooker pass the hat. This was done, and enough was collected to make good all deficiencies. Secretary Smith for the committee of publication of the society's proceedings, reported that the committee had on hand some 300 unsold copies of the proceedings, which if sold would reimburse the committee for the cost of publication, and leave a balance to the credit of the society. Col. Hooker asked unanimous consent for the election of Private Levant M. Reed as a member of the society. Pending action on this, a resolution was offered by Lieut. J. H. Lucia, to amend the constitution so as to admit private soldiers upon unanimous consent. Surgeon George Nichols moved that in order to make the name of the society consistent with the proposed change, that the name be changed to the Reunion Society of Vermont Soldiers. Capt. U. A. Woodbury moved that the resolution and amendment be referred to a committee of five to report at the next annual meeting. On motion of Col. T. O. Seaver the resolutions and amendments were ordered to lie upon the table. The Committee on Nominations, consisting of one from each organization represented, reported the following list of officers for 1886-7: President, Lieut.-Col. Roswell Farnham. The report was accepted and adopted. Lieut.-Col. George W. Hooker, in behalf of the soldiers and citizens of Brattleboro, invited the society to hold its next meeting in that place, and it was voted that the next reunion be held at Brattleboro. The list of officers was then completed by the election of the following as executive committee: Lieut.-Col. George W. Hooker of Brattleboro, Sergeant H. E. Taylor of Brattleboro, Sergeant George K. Russell of Bellows Falls. On motion of Col. Hooker it was voted that a committee of three be appointed by the president to report suitable resolutions of respect to the memory of Brigadier and Bvt. Major General George J. Stannard. The president appointed as such committee: Lieut.-Col. George W. Hooker, Lieut. G. G. Benedict, Gen. E. H. Ripley. Gen. W. W. Henry offered the following resolutions which were unanimously adopted: Resolved, That in view of the fact that the widow of Gen. Stannard is not able to provide a suitable monument to mark the last resting place of that gallant soldier, it is the sense of this society that the State of Vermont should place a monument over his grave. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the president to call the attention of the honorable Legislature to the subject and to draw a bill for a suitable appropriation for the purpose. The president appointed as such committee: Gen. William Wells, Corporal Z. M. Mansur, Lieut. George W. Flagg. The president appointed Gen. W. W. Henry marshal for the public exercises of the evening. THE PUBLIC EXERCISES. The officers formed by regiments under the marshalship of Gen. Henry, and marched to the State House, preceded by the Montpelier Cornet band. The procession extended nearly from the hotel to the State House doors, and the hall of the House of Representatives was filled to its utmost. The assemblage was a notable one, comprising a large number of the most noted soldiers of Vermont, State officers, members of the Legislature, prominent citizens of Vermont and many ladies. At 8 o'clock the assemblage was called to order by President Walker, and the exercises opened with prayer by the chaplain of the occasion, Rev. H. F. Hill, rector of Christ Church, Montpelier. The committee to report resolutions of respect to the memory of Gen. Stannard, reported by Col. Hooker as follows: Resolved, That in the death of Gen. George J. Stannard, who has passed from earth since our last annual meeting, this society mourns the loss of him in whose honor the first general meeting of Vermont officers was held, who was the first president of this society and who was from first to last a brother and comrade honored and beloved. Resolved, That the man who as a militia colonel was the first Vermonter to tender his sword and regiment for the defence of the government against armed rebellion; who distinguished himself at the first Bull Run; who offered to retake Maryland Heights, and to cut his way out from Harper's Ferry after its shameful surrender; who at Gettysburg gave the order for the flank attack on Pickett's division, |