After which the organization proceeded to the Hall, where the business meeting was held-Comrade Blakeman in the chair.

The following letter from Capt. James E. Dunham, the President stating his inability owing to sickness to be present, was read and ordered on file.

Geneva, N. Y., August 24, 1883.

I remember very well, the earnestness and patriotism of the citizens of that old historic town when the call was issued for a Fairfield County Regiment, by our late revered Governor Buckingham. One of the first and most patriotic meetings for that purpose was held in the open air in Fairfield, and the citizens without distinction of party or sect went earnestly to work to raise a Company from their vicinity for the coming Seventeenth Connecticut Volunteers of Fairfield County. I was present at that meeting twenty-one years ago this summer, and I regret that I cannot be present and join with you and to thank them once more for their first and this their last effort in favor of our County Regiment. Nor was it alone at the organization of the Regiment that the citizens of Fairfield evinced their interest in our organization and its members; but, all through our long and varied service we had always their kind wishes and their good and beneficent acts fort the Regiment's benefit.

I congratulate you on your meeting being held there this year, and I know that everything will be done on the part of the citizens to make your meeting pleasant and successful.

With a sincere and deeply regretful word for those of our number who have passed away since our last Annual "Re-union," and many kind congratulations to you all, and to the citizens of Fairfield, and hoping that our next "Annual" will find our ranks unbroken and harmonious, and thanking you for the honor conferred on me as your President the past year, I remain with the kindest and most fraternal regard very truly,

Your comrade and friend,

James E. Dunham,

President.

The report of the annual meeting of 1882, was read and approved.

The Treasurer's report showing a balance on hand of $85.45, was read and approved.

The Secretary submitted a consolidated report, Historical Committees, different companies, as follows:

Bridgeport, Conn., August 28, 1883.

Total number of comrades to be accounted for, 1153; of which number there are known to be dead, 250; leaving to be accounted for, 903; of which number the residence is known of 564; leaving to be still accounted for, 339 comrades. I think we should congratulate ourselves, this the first year in the success of our efforts in getting at the whereabouts of our members, and if the same interest is taken therein for the next two or three years, there is not doubt but we shall be able to account for every comrade, dead or alive.

In making their report to the Secretary, Company Committees have in cases where comrades have died, reported simply, dead. I am confident that for future reference and to be complete, it would be much better to have the date of death of each comrade recorded, and the place where he died, and I would recommend, that during the coming year, such information be obtained, as far as possible, by the Company Committee, and tr4ansmitted to the Secretary from time to time as obtained.

At this point General William H. Noble stepped forward and in a very complimentary speech, presented George W. Keeler, the Secretary of the Association, in behalf of the Association, with a handsome gold badge.

In making the presentation to Secretary Keeler of the badge, Gen. Noble, to increase the surprise, began as if to arraign the Secretary for rudeness, and addressed the Association as follows:

"Mr. president and Comrades:--I regret to mar in any way the jovial greetings of our re-union, but it has become my painful duty to present grave and serious charges of unmilitary conduct against comrade and Secretary, George W. Keeler.

The charge is using language disrespectful to his superior officer.

Specification First. In this, that the said George W. Keeler did, while acting as scribe and registrar in the Adjutant's office of the Regiment, pretend that he could not read, and therefore could not record, anything written by your Colonel, well-knowing the writing of his superior officer to be plain and legible.

Specification Second. In this, that said George W. Keeler did in said service, and since, say to, and in hearing of many members of the Regiment and others, that said Colonel wrote the worst hand extant.

Specification Third. In this, that the said George W. Keeler declared in the hearing of divers persons, that nobody could read Col. Noble's hand writing unless equal to heathen Chinese, or able to translate Egyptian hieroglyphics; well knowing the injustice of said declarations, and that the same were unwarranted by the facts.

I deem it my duty, comrades, to place before you these charges, and to appeal to your knowledge of the very legible writing of your Colonel, and for your reproof of such injustice.

But, comrades, though smarting under such wrongs, I have in a mot Christian, loving, and forgiving spirit consented, in behalf of many friends of ur Secretary, who perhaps think he has some slight excuse for his language, to present for them to Secretary Keeler, this badge of gold and enamel, which I hold.

The donors mean by it, to express to you comrade Keeler, their high sense of the faithful duty done by you to the Regiment in its service, and to this Association of the Seventeenth Connecticut, since:

You read, comrade Keeler, and all of you, in this comely gift, a kind of epitome of our service from the Army of the Potomac to the Capes of Florida. I now place it on your breast Secretary Keeler as a testimonial forever to you and yours of our estimate of you, as a man and soldier, and as a memento of dangers faced in our service.

This scarlet crescent, tells you of that lovely little bright colored badge, worn in front of the caps of the Eleventh Corps, a staring mark for the long-distance rifles of the Confederate sharp-shooters. What such a badge was ever devised for, and so placed, passeth all understanding. It never made any difference with the Seventeenth either at Chancellorsville or Gettysburg, whether the enemy shot at this target, or at random.

Then this fort which depends below the crescent, the badge of our Southern service, tells of trials a good deal harder than the strain of fight in line of battle, or in the charge. It tells you, of the taughtened up self-command and endurance, when lying in the trenches of Wagner, with the air full of missiles, from the whizzing mine, to the round shot tumbling down upon us, or "the shell bursting in air," and scattering death around. It tells you of the splinter-proofs broken down by the weight of heavy shot, and of your comrades killed and crushed beneath the wreck; of the unceasing fire, by night and by day, from Wagner, Sumpter, Moultrie and the James Island batteries; of your facing all this with no inspiration of attack, no busy load-and-fire, no cheers answering the rebel yell; in the chill of night, and the broiling sun by day, with the glare and whirl of the heated sands, in the drench of storms, and in chilly winds loaded with the ocean's breath.

Keep this in sacred remembrance, comrade Keeler, of our service and of its donors. Tell over to your children, and to them for their children, the story of the teat conflict that lies behind this badge."

Secretary Keeler was taken by surprise but feelingly replied as follows;

"Mr. president, Comrades and General Noble:--I accept this badge with pride. I am most grateful to its givers for this expression of their esteem. I shall cherish it as a sacred memento of that service some incidents of which Gen. Noble has so vividly put before you.

As in the past, so in the years to come, I hold myself ready to defend the flag, and to serve you.

Wishing you years of happiness, and many recurrences of these re-unions, I place upon my heart this badge of our service, the brilliant epitome of our life under arms."

Secretary Keeler turning to Gen. Noble, said:

"As to your charges against me, I think I ought not to be very severely blamed for what I may have said about that handwriting, as you General have sometimes, to my knowledge, been unable to read it yourself.."

Gen. Noble in reply, good humoredly said:

"This turn of yours, Secretary Keeler, is only beaten by a story which our last President, Capt. Dunham, gets off. He and Major Brady, while the Regiment was at Fort Marshall, Baltimore, were anxious to get home to take a last look at their dear ones, before going to the bloody field. leaves of absence were very hard to get at that time; I saw no way to help them in their

longing, but to send them, as it were, on recruiting service. So I wrote out a request to General Wool for permission for Major Brady and Captain Dunham to go home on that business. Capt. Dunham says that when he handed the paper to Gen. Wool, that he looked at it right side up, and bottom side, up, and side-wise, but made no headway in reaching its contents, and in his dilemma Gen. Wool asked Capt. Dunham, "What is all this about, any way, Captain?" Capt. Dunham replied, "General, it is a request from Col. Noble for leave of absence for Major Brady and myself to go home on recruiting service." The General replied, "Oh, yes! I always like to have my troops recruited, the Adjutant will give you leaven."

I wish you to understand, comrades, that I do not take any stock in this story of Capt. Dunham's. He draws a very low bow sometimes, and I think takes a great deal of pleasure in deriding the legible hand-writing of your Colonel, but as the Italians say, "If the story is not true, it is very well put."

Comrade Huss, committee on purchasing Badge Die, reported same could not be purchased, only at a great price; had made arrangements with John F. Luther of New York City to furnish the badge all marked for $3.50; gold, $10; and that the Secretary would take orders for same.

Lieut. Col. Henry Allen at our last annual meeting, having given notice that he would present the following resolution at this meeting, same was read by the Secretary.

Same was discussed pro and con, and on motion of Col. Allen was laid on the table until next annual meeting.

The following resolutions were presented and adopted.

By Lieut. James R. Middlebrook.

Resolved, That every member of this Association, who has any living sons, be requested to present at our next annual re-union, on a slip of paper, his own name, and also the name of his sons, with their address.

By Lieut. R. Lorenzo Ells.

Resolved, That a committee of twelve members of the Seventeenth Regiment Association, to consist of one from the Field and Staff, one from each company of the Regiment, and one honorary member, be appointed by the President to arrange for the erection of a monument upon the battle field of Gettysburg.

Subsequently the following committee was appointed:

Lieut.-Col. Henry Allen.

Lieut. R. Lorenzo Ells.

Sergt. George A. Scofield.

Private George s. Purdy.

Private George W. Keeler.

Capt. Henry P. Burr.

Lieut. W. A. Kellogg.

Private Phineas C. Lounsbury.

Private Levi H. Dixon.

Sergt. William A. Baker.

Sergt. Patrick Wade, Jr.

Hon. A. H. Byington.

Said Committee shall have power to fill any vacancies that may occur in said committee.

By Lieut.-Col. Henry Allen.

Resolved, That the Executive Committee of this Association are hereby instructed to take such action as they may deem proper, to secure a full attendance of the members of the Seventeenth Regiment at the unveiling of the Statute of Ex-Governor Buckingham, in battle-flag rotunda of the Capitol.

The following resolutions on the death of Adjutant George C. Peck, were unanimously adopted:

WHEREAS, The Supreme Commander of the Universe in this wisdom, has summoned from this earthly camping ground, our loved friend and comrade, George C. Peck, late Adjutant, Seventeenth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers; thus severing from us the genial presence of our esteemed Secretary, therefore be it

Resolved, That while bowing with humble submission to the Divine decree, we desire to place upon record our admiration for the many noble traits of our deceased comrade, to recognize his sterling worth, inflexible fidelity, and soldierly integrity.

Resolved, That in his loss, we are vividly reminded, that we too are mortal, and that the time is not far distant when we shall be called to answer the final roll call.

Resolved, That while we tender to his aged mother and orphaned children, our deepest sympathy in their bereavement, we also bid them to confide and trust in Him who looks down with infinite compassion upon the widow and fatherless, in their hours of desolation, for it is He who will fold the arms of His love around all who put their trust in Him.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the family of our deceased comrade, and that they be entered at length upon our records.

William H. Noble,

S. G. Blakeman,

Henry Huss,

Committee on Resolutions.

President, Private Phineas C. Lounsbury, Co. C.

Secretary, Private George W. Keeler, Co. D.

Treasurer, Sergt. Patrick Wade, Jr., Co. K.

Vice Presidents:

Company A, Sergt. Albert Holly.

" B, Capt. Charles A. Hobbie.

" C, Capt. Henry Quien.

" D, Corp. Frederick Clark.

" E, Capt. Henry P. Burr.

" F, Lieut. Charles E. Doty.

" G, Lieut. Charles G. Smith.

" H, Capt. Enos Kellogg.

" I, Sergt. Henry V. Peck.

" K, Sergt. Samuel Thorp.

Executive Committee:

General William H. Noble.

Lieut. Col. Henry Allen.

Sergt. Charles F. Loomis, Co. F.

Private Levi H. Dixon, Co. H.

Upon being escorted to the chair, President Lounsbury addressed the Association as follows:

FRIENDS AND COMRADES:--You all know that in some of the ancient Grecian republics the feeling of equality became so intense and the estimate of common citizenship and soldiership came to be so high, that the leader was chosen by lot. In the choice which you have made to-day for president of your Association, you may have been unconsciously and still largely influenced by similar feelings. If the merit of the Seventeenth Connecticut was so high that even the humblest soldier in its ranks is counted worthy, for the time, to be your presiding officer, then I am thankful that I belonged to the Seventeenth Connecticut. If, in your selection of me, there has been anything of personal consideration, I thank you for this mark of esteem and confidence. For the performance of the duties which you have assigned me to-day I bring no genius for presiding, no gift of eloquence, I can only offer the best of intentions and a heart, loyal to you as a regiment, loyal to you as comrades. I am sure that to every one of us has come the thought, even if we have not expressed it in words, that these annual re-unions mean something more than a day's recreation, something more than the grasp of a comrade's hand. The sentiment of patriotism is inherent in human nature, yet springs not up spontaneously in the human heart like love of home, or parent, or child; it needs the guiding hand of intellect, the inspiration of country, but when once developed, it feeds upon all the nobler elements of manhood until it grows and overshadows the whole life. These yearly gatherings mean that the lofty sentiment of patriotism is to be mingled with and warmed by those common springs of affection, that well up from the depths of the heart; that we are to view our duty to the government in the light of a common brotherhood, that the altar of our homes is to make more hallowed the altar of our country. This day will be little better than lost, if, in every touch of a brother's hand, we do not feel our arm grow firmer to battle for our country and the right, if we do not carry to our homes a patriotism made stronger and purer by this re-union. In the festivities and greetings of this occasion, I wish for no note of sadness, and yet our joy will be none the less deep, because it is sobered by the memories of the past and by the responsibilities of the future. Twenty-one years ago, we started out, a regiment more than one thousand strong. I do not now recall just how many yielded up their lives in the agony of the battle, or from wounds and disease died a not less glorious death; but I do know, that in the swamps and prisons of the South, on the fields of Chancellorsville and the hills of Gettysburg the gallantry and bravery of the Seventeenth Connecticut, were attested in heroic suffering and written in letters of blood. It is no vain egotism that we, as a regiment, point to the record of the past. It is rather a laudable pride of one, who traces his lineage through a long unbroken line of noble ancestry. It is a long chain of illustrious deeds without one tarnished link, that connects us the living of to-day with the first heroic dead of the regiment. Not to us as their descendants, but to us as their surviving comrades, has come the heritage of their glory. They died without fear. We shall be worthy of them and the glory which they have given us, if we, as citizens and men, to-day and through all the future, shall live without reproach. Comrades, I accept the position to which you have appointed me. I thank you, and for the transaction of the remaining business of this meeting, I await your pleasure.