RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AT THE Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Annual Reunions, HELD AT PORTLAND, OLD ORCHARD AND AUGUSTA. 1876-7-8. AUGUSTA: GEORGE E. NASON, PRINTER. THE FIFTH ANNUAL REUNION Was held at Portland, Wednesday and Thursday, August 9th and 10th, 1876, in conjunction with the reunion of nearly a score of Maine regiments; or, as it was called, the "GENERAL REUNION." The reunion of the regiment had no distinctive features, but was merged in the combined whole, which was pronounced by all a great success. So it was; but it is doubtful if the comrades of this grand old regiment felt as well satisfied with it or its pleasures as they did with their own more modest meetings. At any rate, they were not at all inclined to vote to join the other organizations in a "Grand Reunion" the next year. The comrades gathered in Portland on the afternoon of Wednesday, the headquarters of the regiment being in the City Hall building. There were hand-shaking and congratulations, and such fraternal greetings as only old soldiers know how to give each other after a year's absence, and story-telling and general enjoyment in a quiet way all the afternoon; and it grew heartier as the day wore on and each train brought more comrades. It was quite a reunion we had while waiting for the grand reunion to commence. Late in the afternoon, dinner was served to the out of town veterans in the City Hall building, and before seven o'clock the comrades were in line and ready for parade. The line was soon formed and marched through the streets in the following order, according to the newspaper accounts published at the time: CHANDLER'S BAND. 1st CAVALRY-Major B. F. Tucker, President, 125 men. 2d CAVALRY-Major Huchinson, 40 men. 1st, 10th and 29th INFANTRY-General G. L. Beal, 200 men. 2d INFANTRY-General C. W. Roberts, 50 men. CONTINENTAL BAND. 5th INFANTRY-Chaplain G. W. Bicknell, 100 men. BOSTON VETERAN ASSOCIATION-Colonel Lakeman, 150 men. Drum Major SCOTT. LIGHT ARTILLERY-Sergeant P. B. Menneally, 40 men. After a parade through the streets, the comrades took steamers, and after a rather tedious sail, (the boats being fearfully crowded and progress slow,) arrived at Little Chebeague, about half-past 9 o'clock, where a camp had been pitched for the occasion. Here were tents enough for alland, better, a big tent with hard tack, baked beans, coffee, &c., enough for all. Camp fires were burning brightly, and the camp ground bore some resemblance to an actual camp at the front. By this time, rations were in everybody's mind, and no one was in condition to do anything until after supper. How the baked beans, &c., did go, and how good they did taste, with surroundings full of old memories and with story and joke! Then pipes and tobacco were served, and there was more enjoyment. At half-past 10 o'clock, Gen. JOSHUA L. CHAMBERLAIN, whom every Maine soldier knows and honors, made a brief but cordial speech of welcome, and introduced J. O. Winship, Esq., as toastmaster. Then came toasts and speeches. Judge C. W. Goddard eulogized the President. Gen. George F. Shepley paid high compliments to all the Maine soldiers, and after recounting the services of some of the regiments, and using up all the adjectives in their praise, said, in effect, "No Maine soldier will feel in the least jealous when I say the glorious First Maine Cavalry stands ahead of all the rest." Then there was applause loud and long, the infantry and artillerymen joining heartily with the cavalrymen in this tribute of praise, and every cavalryman there felt justly proud. Then there were more speeches ; and then came a sensation, which, perhaps, may as well go on record here, though not belonging to the history of the reunion of this regiment any more than to the others. It was thus described in the newspapers the next morning: "A Massachusetts soldier, who was introduced as Captain Jack Adams, was next called on to speak. No sentiment was given him to speak to because Adams could not speak to a single point. It was the first time Captain Adams had ever been in Maine, but he knew Maine soldiers. He had been in the same brigade with the 19th Maine, and always felt safe when it was in front. He knew, too, that everything which could be stolen would be taken care of. He left his pocket book at the hotel when he saw those fellows in the street. Capt. Adams then referred to the war and Union soldiers. They saved the country and that fact should not be forgotten. He thanked God for James G. Blaine. (Immense cheering.) He thanked God that Blaine had told the rebels in Congress how they had treated Union soldiers-that he had bearded Hill in' the House. It was getting to be too much the custom to require Union soldiers to stand back while rebels were welcomed. He had nothing but good will for the Southern soldier, but the Union soldier must be recognized. Capt. Adams' speech caused thorough sensation, and cries of “no politics" were raised. The Army, was the next sentiment, and Gen. Hobart Ward was called to respond, but that gentleman not being present, Capt. Adams was called on, who in turn called upon Rev. J. F. Lovering, who was chaplain of the 17th Maine, to respond. After paying a high compliment to Maine soldiers, he proceeded to speak of the loyalty of the Maine soldier, and went on to say that it devolved upon the Union soldier to lead in giving the nation a patriotic and true President. As he was passing on to say what sort of a man the Union soldier should not support, some one in the crowd sung out "Tilden." This was a signal for cheers, hisses and shouts of "no politics." "Then," said the eloquent parson, "if politics are not allowed here, let us speak to the sentiment of loyalty." "The Ladies," was the next toast, and Gen. Charles W. Roberts of Bangor, was called upon to respond. Gen. Roberts said that this was not the sentiment he was to speak to. He appreciated the devotion of |