wrote the last page of that story, of the five four lay in soldiers' graves.

Within an even briefer space, how many of the most illustrious leaders of the war have fallen? Grant, the commander of all the armies of the United States; McDowell and McClellan, commanders in immediate succession, of the Army of the Potomac; Hancock, the most brilliant corps commander of that army; while, from out your own number, has gone the gallant, capable and efficient officer, George J. Stannard.

Since the deadly shafts are thus dropping thick and fast among us from an unseen enemy, it behooves us, comrades, to close our ranks, as in the old days, when, drawing together, we hid the ghastly chasms blown by bursting shells, or the deep furrow of the solid shot, our front narrowing as our line advanced, but ever keeping the "touch of the elbow" in which is courage and comfort and strength.

Let our comradeship increase and intensify as our numbers diminish; let every one that falls have, in thought if not in form, a soldier's burial; and these reunions become solemn feasts consecrated to the memory of noble deeds and of the heroic dead.

THE SUPPER.

The annual supper was served in the large dining hall of the Pavilion, which was filled to its utmost. Nearly 200 plates were laid, but not enough in number for the numbers who desired seats. Col. Walker presided, flanked on either hand by Gov. Ormsbee, Gen. F. A. Walker, Lieut.-Gov. Fuller, Treasurer DuBois, Judge Veazey, ex-Gov. Farnham, Judge Poland and other prominent state officials and soldiers. The tables were graced by the presence of many ladies.

After the material feast had been duly enjoyed, Col. Walker-who presided throughout with excellent tact, dignity and genial spirit-rapped the tables to order and called up the speakers without the stereotyped formal sentiments. He said that this was a meeting of soldiers. If there were governors

or congressmen or judges present, he did not know anything about them. He should see and call only on soldiers, and to speak for the First Vermont regiment he called on Captain E. J. Ormsbee.

Captain Ormsbee spoke of the First Vermont regiment as the training school of Vermont in the war.

As a representative of the Old Second, Capt. Richard Smith of Vershire was called up, and kept the table in a roar, as he related how he failed to become a brigadier general by failing to get into the 1st regiment, and how the Second got to Richmond by various devious ways.

For the third and sixteenth regiments Col. Veazey responded. He related some of his own personal recollections of Gen. Hancock, and the latter's injunction, as he (Veazey) leading his regiment out on Pickett's flank, passed the wounded general, lying bleeding on the field, to "go in and give them hell."

Lieut.-Col. Hooker spoke for the Fourth as a "ladies' regiment" and failed not to put in a good word for the ladies themselves.

Responding for the Eighth Vermont, Gen. Stephen Thomas presented a substitute in the person of Capt. F. H. Buffum of the 14th New Hampshire, who at Cedar Creek fought for a time in the ranks of the Eighth. Capt. Buffum told of a Massachusetts veteran, who after attending a Vermont soldiers' reunion, declared that he was going to move to Vermont, so that his children might find out that he had had something to do with saving the country; for he had begun to think, after hearing the Vermonters talk, that Vermont put down the rebellion single-handed. Capt. Buffum declared eloquently that the work of the veterans was not

yet done. They may yet be called on in an emergency as great as that of the rebellion.

Gen. E. H. Ripley was called up for the Ninth, and as the commander of the brigade which first occupied the Confederate capital in April, 1865. He spoke, among other things, of the duty of maintaining these reunions as schools of loyalty and patriotism.

President Walker brought the meeting reluctantly to a close and the officers and guests left the hall, some of the former to gather here and there, to talk over the times of 25 years ago into the small hours.

THE TWENTY-FOURTH REUNION.

BRATTLEBORO, OCTOBER 18, 1887.

The Reunion Society for its twenty-fourth meeting had the good fortune to meet in the beautiful and hospitable village of Brattleboro, where ten of the Vermont regiments and a Vermont battery rendezvoused, and started thence to the war; whither many of them returned—what was left of them—to be mustered out, and which was then, as it has been ever since, the home of Governor Frederick Holbrook, who signed the commissions of three-quarters of the Vermont officers.

The business meeting was held at 4:30 p. m. in the rooms of the Philharmonic society. It was called to order by Lieut.Col. Roswell Farnham, president of the society.

The nominating committee composed of Capt. E. J. Ormsbee, Capt. A. B. Valentine, Maj. E. Wales, Lieut. N. Glazier, Lieut.-Col. S. E. Pingree, Capt. W. C. Landon, Lieut.Col. Geo. W. Hooker, Lieut. Albert Clark, Capt. S. E. Burnham, Surgeon C. P. Frost, Sergt. B. Cannon, Maj. Wm. Rounds, Col. W. C. Holbrook, Capt. H. K. Ide, Sergt. W. H. Gilmore, Lieut. G. G. Benedict, and Lieut. John C. Stearns, reported the following list, and the same were duly elected:

OFFICERS FOR 1887-8.

President, Brigadier General Edward H. Ripley.

Vice-Presidents, Corporal Z. M. Mansur, Lieutenant F. S.

Stranahan,

Secretary, Lieutenant Fred E. Smith.

Treasurer, Major L. G. Kingsley.

Executive Committee, Col. P. P. Pitkin, Gen. Stephen

Thomas and Lieut. Fred E. Smith, all of Montpelier.

The president appointed Col. W. C. Holbrook marshal, and Lieut.-Col. Hooker toastmaster for the evening.

THE PUBLIC EXERCISES

took place in the spacious armory of the Fuller Battery and National Guard, accommodating 1,200 persons. The walls were appropriately decorated with flags, corps badges, and autumn leaves. The platform was guarded on either side by a brass Napoleon gun and stacked muskets, and was decorated with the national colors, draped from a large portrait of Gen. U. S. Grant. The society formed at the Brooks House and marched to the armory, headed by the Brattleboro band. The hall was filled to the last seat by the members of the society and citizens of Brattleboro of both sexes.

After army calls and music by the band, Rev. C. O. Day of Brattleboro offered prayer. Gov. Farnham then introduced the orator as one whom the Old Bay State had honored with its highest office, and who had honored her by worthy service as her chief magistrate and representative in Congress.

Governor Long received an enthusiastic welcome. He prefaced his address by saying that if he had had any success as governor, it was because he followed the worthy examples set him by the governors of other states, (with a low bow to Gov. Farnham). For 45 minutes he then held the large audience spellbound by his eloquence :

GOV. JOHN D. LONG'S ORATION.

I gratefully acknowledge your courtesy, Vermont officers of the Union army, in inviting me, a civilian, to speak for you at this your 24th annual reunion. I should shrink from the task did I not know that in so doing I, a civilian, pay to you, the soldiers of the Union, something of the tribute which the republic owes its defenders. These are sacred anniversaries,