Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Fourteenth Annual Reunion of 76th Regiment New York Volunteers




 







The Cortland News, Friday, October 13, 1882.


OLD 76th REGIMENT N.Y. VOLS.


ENGAGEMENT AT MCGRAWVILLE.


The Veterans Surrounded by the Home Guard.


Names of Soldiers Participating.


Full Details of the Affair.


   The fourteenth annual reunion and twenty-first anniversary of the muster into the U. S. service of the old 76th regiment N. Y. volunteers was held at McGrawville on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 1882. It was a gala day for the quiet little village, and will ever be remembered by the inhabitants for the bustle and interest it created, and by the veterans for the hearty, generous reception accorded them.


   For weeks previous the people of the village had been actively engaged in preparing to entertain the survivors of the gallant 76th, evidently determined to leave nothing undone that could add to the warmth of the welcome, or give [more] of the honor and pleasure bestowed upon them by the heroes of hard-fought battles. And right well did they succeed, is the testimony of the veterans, with whom their heartfelt welcome and bounteous hospitality will ever be a cherished recollection.


   Near 11 o'clock A. M. on this lovely day over one hundred veterans formed in line on Main street, where young ladies fastened bouquets to the coats of the 76th and preceded by Wm. J. Mantanye who carried the regimental flag, and the McGrawville cornet band, marched to Factory Hall to hold a business meeting.


   This pretty hall is in a wing of the large corset factory building of P. H. McGraw& Son, and is capable of accommodating several hundred people. On this occasion it was most tastefully and appropriately decorated. On the wall in the rear of the stage was the motto: “Honored 76th—Ever at home in our hearts.”


   On the left was a portrait of President Lincoln, and his grand words: "With malice toward none and charity for all."


   On the right was an inscription in the beautiful chirography of Mr. W. S. Webster, an employee of the factory, in the following words:


   "McGrawville's greeting to the gallant heroes of Rappahannock Station, Warrenton, Sulphur Springs, Gainesville. Second Bull Run, South Mountain. Antietam, Snicker's Gap, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy Creek, Coal Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Poplar Grove Church, First Hatch's Run, Hicksford's Raid, Second Hatch's Run, Five Forks, Lee's Surrender: In memory of brave deeds well done and an honored fame well won."


   These were all bordered with wreaths of evergreen, while on the walls were portraits of Grant and Garfield, war scenes, etc., with flags and festoons, and on the stage were numerous vases of plants and flowers.


   Col. John E. Cook, president of the regimental association, took the chair at the business meeting. Lieut. Martin Edgcomb, secretary, read the minutes of last year's reunion at Marathon. The mention of the name of Marathon stirred up joyful recollections, and led by Col. Cook, the veterans gave three rousing cheers for the large-hearted people of that enterprising village.


   Letters and telegrams from absent comrades were read by the secretary, all expressing regret because of inability to attend the reunion, and some of them calling up army scenes and incidents which brought enthusiastic cheers or bursts of laughter from the listeners. The following absent members responded:


   O. F. Gore, Marcus Clackner, Orlando Madison, S. S. Bradt, Thomas Bond, Daniel House, Capt. C. L. Watrous, drum major G. W. Northrup, R. W. Smith, P. A. Norton, E. Geo. Hall, G. B. Miller, Lyman Culver, Capt. J. D. Shaul, W. H. Baldwin, W.J. Crozier, Capt, J. M. Waterman, Lieut. U. A. Burnbam and Maj. E. P. Halstead.


   By request of the regiment we publish the letter of Maj. Halstead in full:


   WASHINGTON, D. C. Sept. 2, 1882.


Dear Comrade [Edgcomb]:


   I am in receipt of your invitation to the fourteenth annual reunion of the grand old 76th. It is with pride that I can boast of having served in the brigade and division of the Army of the Potomac composed in part of the gallant 76th regiment of N. Y. volunteers. While I served as the Adjutant-General of the second brigade of King's division I saw the noble men of that regiment on the march, in camp and in battle, and never beard them murmur or complain of any thing they were ordered to do. They responded with alacrity no matter how arduous the duty or difficult to perform, whether a long march had just been completed, or a terrible battle ended in which they had suffered heavy loss. Apropos of this, I am reminded of the march from Fredericksburg to Cedar Mountain, Va., in 1862, when men fell out and died by the roadside of heat and exhaustion. That was the hottest day, it seems to me, I ever saw, and men carried their heavy knapsacks and marched forty miles to the music of Gen. Bank's guns. And again, after marching and fighting for nearly two weeks, at the close of the battle of second Bull Run, while Gen. Phil. Kearney was fighting the battle of Chantilly, they were ordered out in a heavy rain to do picket duty on the flank of our army toward the Potomac. Every man fit for duty was in ranks and moved off steadily and with as much determination in their looks as the soldiers of Cromwell or Napoleon. How I gloried that night in those brave men the pen can describe. I knew every man was a hero who felt his duty and would do it well, for I had seen them tried as gold is tried—in the fire.


   Do the people of Cortland know of the brave deeds of their heroes? I hope they do, and wish they might appreciate them as those who saw them in battle.


   It is with great regret I am compelled to say again, it is not possible for me to accept your kind invitation. I trust it may be my good fortune at some future time to meet with you at one of these reunions.


   [Hoping] that God will spare us all another year, I am very respectfully and fraternally yours, E. P. Halstead,To Lt. Martin Edgcomb, Sec’y, Cortland, N. Y.


   Lieut. W. H. Meyers, treasurer, read his report of receipts and expenditures, which showed a healthful condition of finances, and a recess was taken to give the members the opportunity to pay dues, the roll of the drum meantime enlivening the scene.


   Edgar Hatch, son of Capt. J. C. Hatch, deceased, one of the most popular members of the association, being present, was made an honorary member.


   An invitation was received from the 153d and 121st regiments to join them in a reunion at Oneonta, on the 22d of August, 1883.


   Invitations from several places to hold the next reunion were presented, but the one from Groton was finally accepted, because, we suppose, the 76th have already had a highly satisfactory experience of the liberality of Groton people.


   The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:


For President—Capt. S. M. Byram.


Vice-Presidents—S. Rindge, Amos Avery.


Lieut. Lucius Davis, Lieut. W. E. Evans.


Secretary—Lieut. Martin Edgcomb.


Treasurer—Lieut W. H. Myers.


Executive Committee—Edward Fish, Amos Avery, Edgar Hatch, Lucius Davis.


   The arrangements for the next meeting were left with the members residing in Groton and vicinity.


   On motion of W. J. Mantanye, a committee on resolutions, consisting of W. J. Mantanye, A. Sager and A. P. Smith, was appointed.


   Maj. A. Sager, from the committee on badges appointed at the last meeting, reported correspondence on the subject, and that he had in hand a design presented by Lieut. M. M. Whitney, but that the committee had come to no decision.


   On motion, Capt. J. D. Clyde was given charge of the regimental colors, with instruction to bring them to the next reunion.


   The dinner hour having arrived adjournment was affected without a dissenting voice, all evidently impressed with the belief that the good things of this life awaited their coming. Nor were they disappointed. Nearly two hundred of the veterans with their wives and friends assembled at the Kingman House, where they were served with such a bountiful, appetizing repast as brought forth the warmest commendation, and received the closest personal attention.


   At 3 P. M. the regiment again formed and marched to Factory Hall, where on the lawn nearby, Mr. L. E. Burnham secured a photograph of the soldiers in group [wish we had this photograph—CC editor]. The hall was crowded to its fullest capacity, many being obliged to go away for want of standing room.


   Capt. S. M. Byram, the newly elected president, called the meeting to order, and Rev. M. Z. Haskins, of McGrawville, opened with an eloquent prayer, which was followed with a song, "Flag of the Free," finely rendered by the home glee club, Messrs. R. H. Graves, H. H. Huntley and R, J. and F. G. McElheny.


   A stirring address of welcome was delivered by Mr. A. E. Seymour, who deemed it a pleasant task to welcome the veterans, a remnant of that grand army of the Union which fought for us. “To our brave soldiers we owe what we enjoy to-day. Our country honors the dead but she does not forget the living.” He spoke of the bravery of the soldiers, and alluded to Sergeant Banker of the 76th, who was wounded but told those who came to remove him not to heed him but to go to the front. That was true patriotism. Speaking for the people of McGrawville, the soldiers honored them by their presence, and in the name of their fallen comrades; in the name of the government, and in the name of liberty, whose home is here, he welcomed them to their hearts and homes, and hoped that the greeting extended to them to-day might be auspicious of their welcome when at the final roll-call they had gone up higher.


   Lieut. A. P. Smith in response said that he was very happy to be there. They had been cordially welcomed wherever they had held reunions, but this reception capped the climax. They had been halted before a brigade of beauty who covered them over with lovely flowers; the people had stuffed them with the best the country afforded, and for nothing, too, which was the best of all. Speaking of what called forth the welcome, he said the soldiers showed some degree of patriotism, it is true, but it was not with them alone. The girl who with tears told her sweetheart that he could not swing on her gate again unless he enlisted; the wife who gave up her husband, and the mother her son, are the ones who deserve the highest tributes for the truest patriotism. The Judge pictured the loved ones at home ever engaged in making and sending to the soldiers the good things which made camp life endurable and cheered them on to deeds of valor. To them belonged the need of praise. In concluding, he would thank the people for their generous welcome, for their loyalty, and tor the hearty grasp of the hand which showed that their hearts were in the welcome. Humor, pathos, and wit, so alternated in the Judge's speech, and so controlled his hearers that they changed from smiles to tears, or now and then broke out in cheers.


   The glee club sang "Flag of our Heroes," after which Rev. O. H. McAnulty, of Marathon, delivered the annual address, the publication of which, on account of its length we are compelled to defer until next week.


   The speaker was frequently interrupted by applause, and he grew more eloquent as he proceeded. On closing his hearers manifested their appreciation in a most unmistakable manner.


   On motion of Judge Smith, a hearty vote of thanks was given to Messrs. Seymour and McAnulty for their grand speeches, and as a further mark of appreciation, a lovely bouquet was presented by Mrs. B. F. Taylor to Mr. McAnulty, who requested us to place on record his heartfelt thanks to the donor for the beautiful gift.


   After the band played "Marching through Georgia,'' W. J. Mantanye, Esq., of the committee on resolutions, presented the following, which were unanimously adopted:


   Resolved, That the pleasure of greeting our comrades at this annual reunion, to renew our bonds of friendship and brotherhood, is saddened by the report that since last meeting our comrade, J. Fletcher Potter, has passed beyond the sphere of earthly reunions. We shall remember him as a true man, a good soldier, and Join his relatives in mourning a common bereavement.


   Resolved, That we learn with regret and sorrow of the misfortune of our comrade, Parmenas A. Norton, which has deprived him of a leg, after his leaving an arm on the battlefield. We extend to him our sympathy.


   Resolved, That with grief we receive the announcement of the death of Gen. G. K. Warren, the brave and brilliant commander of our fifth army corps. We believe that his services in the late war were not only honorable to himself but faithful to his country and his superiors, and greatly tended to the glory and final triumph of the arms of the Republic. We sympathized with him in the grief that darkened the later years of his life, and as a small token of our appreciation of his talents and integrity, as well as our love, we direct that $25 be paid by our treasurer to the persons who may be authorized to receive the same for the purpose of assisting toward a monument to commemorate his name and services.


   Resolved, That to the patriotic citizens of McGrawville and vicinity and their committees, and especially the ladies, we tender the sincere thanks of the Association for the hearty welcome and splendid entertainment they have given us on this our 21st anniversary. We note with sincere pleasure that they, at least have not forgotten their pledges of love and gratitude to the soldiers made in the dark days of war, and this will be marked as a red-letter day in the annals of our Association.


   Resolved, That to Rev. O. H. McAnulty and Mr. A. E. Seymour we tender our thanks for their able addresses and the words of gratitude and of encouragement they have given us, and we request that the same be published in the county papers, and entered in the minutes of the Association.


   Resolved, That to the band and to the glee club we also tender our thanks for the beautiful music they have furnished and the pleasure they have added to our entertainment.


   Comrade Avery sang, by request, "Take your gun and go, John," the regiment joining in the chorus.


   On motion of Maj. Sager, Hon. P. H. McGraw and Mr. A. E. Seymour were elected honorary members, as also were I. W. Walker, W. P. Henry and Dr. H. C. Hendrick, of the 157th regiment, on motion of Judge Smith.


   Mr. Seymour said that he was proud to stand in such a goodly assemblage and be made an honorary member of so brave an organization.


   Judge Smith said that he saw present a person, who, on account of his youth, was unable to go to the war and he hoped to hear from Daniel J. Sperry. In response to loud calls, Mr. Sperry said that he was like the new convert who, when called upon to relate his experience, said that he had "not belonged to the consarn [sic] long enough to know what to say." He had heard a good deal about a war which was fought down South some years ago, but judging by the appearance of the Commissary it did not amount to much. This reference to Judge Smith, who was quartermaster of the regiment, was greeted with uproarious laughter.


   At comrade Edgcomb's request, comrade Avery sang "Cheer for the Dear Old Flag," which used to be sung for them by a young lady when they were at Camp Campbell.
Major Sager said that the committee on badges had decided on the style and members were requested to send orders for them to the secretary, Lieut. Edgcomb. Judge Smith said that if the army owed more to one than to another, it was to the nurses, and on his motion Mrs. S. E. Bucklin, an army nurse, who was present, was made an honorary member. Mrs. Bucklin being called out said that for three years she was in the army, was present at Gettysburg and other battles, and was glad to meet again with the soldiers.


   Three cheers were given for Mrs. Bucklin; comrade Avery sang the "bean" song, which was greeted with laughter, the glee club sang "The Soldiers' Chorus;" Avery and the 76th sang "Marching through Georgia;" Capt. W. E. Evans responded to a call with a few appropriate remarks; Rev. M. Z. Haskins pronounced the benediction, and the soldiers forming in line marched to the hotel, where they dispersed until the reunion at Groton in 1883.


   Quite a number from other regiments were present, among whom we noticed Col. J. C. Carmichael, Dr. H, C. Hendricks, Robert Bushby, I. J. Walker, W. P. Henry, Robert Champlin and D. C. Turner, of the 157th; L. B. Atkins and H. E. Phelps, of the 185th; and Milford Brown, of the 10th cavalry.


   The names of the members of the 76th will be published next week.


   The McGrawville Sentinel says that "everybody praised the efforts of the ladies and citizens of McGrawville, but the satisfaction received from the way in which the veterans seemed to enjoy themselves more than repays for all."


76th New York Volunteers: http://www.bpmlegal.com/76NY/



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