| Fifteenth Regiment Reunion
The Fifteenth Massichusetts Regimental association held their 17th annual reunion at Worcester Saturday, one day in advance of the 22nd anniversary of the battle of Ball's Bluff, in which the regiment offered its baptismal blood for the defens of the Union. At the business meeting, at Temperance Club Hall in the forenoon, Gen. John W. Kimball of Fitchburg presided in the absence of Gen. Devens, the president, who did not arrive from Boston until noon. The committee on nominations, consisting of one from each company, reported these officers who were unanimously elected for the ensuing year; The treasurer reported a balance of $30 on hand, and a collection of $35.15 was taken to pay current expenses. The new members admitted were Soon after 12 o'clock an order was given to fall in by companies, under command of Col. J. M. Studley, to march to Grand Army hall, where a good dinner was served by Caterer D. P. Lord, who was connected with the sutler's department of the regiment when in service. As the line reached the sidewalk Gen. Devens arrived from Boston, and was greeted with cheers. Arriving at the hall dinner was served without delay, 110 sitting at the tables. The devine blessing was invoked by Chaplain Wood. After the edibles had been discussed Gen. Devens rapped for order, and referred to the pleasures of the reunions when the comrades meet and talk of reminiscences of the war. He alluded feelingly to the memory of those who lost their lives at Ball's Bluff, and to the fair name of the 15th regiment, then which no braver or truer organization of men ever left the state. He was glad to see so much interest taken in the gatherings, and to the fact that siy of the original captains who left Camp Scott with the regiment were present. The memory of the dead was remembered by the company standing. The captains alluded to were Col. J. B. Batchelder was present by invitation, and explained in detail the object of the visit to Gettysburg this week and the arrangements for excursion rates thereto. The party will consist of 100 or more representatives from the various Massichusetts regiments, and will leave Boston at 6 p.m. Tuesday going to New York via the Norwich line, and thence to Philadelphia and Hanover, arriving at Gettysburg Wednesday afternoon, and remaining until Saturday. The fare from Worcester to New York will be $2.25, and round trip tickets from New York will be $10.60, and the hotel bill at Gettysburg $5. An extra $1 will be required for transportation over the battlefield, Friday. The railroad rickets will be good to return until Nov. 7. All incidental expenses, such as state rooms on the boat and meals en route will be extra. Each comrade will be furnished with a certificate of his membership to the regiment to which he belonged, and without these reduced rates cannot be had. Col. Batchelder spoke of the part taken by the 15th at Gettysburg, their various movements, the positions they occupied, and the terrible carnage in their ranks on the 2d day. He is an unquestioned authority of the real facts of this battle, which Gen. Devens said was one of the great battles of the world. Capt. Hastings and other comrades related some of the incidents at Gettysburg; Sergt. John Mullins of Co. K alluding in particular to his being at the side of Gen. Ward when that gallant officer fell mortally wounded. Comerade A. S. Roe, who was present as an invited guest, read an interesting description of Webb's brigade at the battle. Incidents of the battle of Ball's Bluff were also related by Capt. J. Evarts Greene of Co. F, and Capt Leonard Wood of Co.K, the latter showing some souvenirs of that initial engagement of the regiment. Capt. Rockwood also spoke for Co. A, As usual, a number of comrades attended the reunion for the first time or after a lapse of many years. Daniel A. Jennison, of Co.D, formerly of Auburn, but for the past 14 years a resident of missouri, where he is engaged in the boot and shoe business, came for the first time. He was taken prisoner at Ball's Bluff, and while confined at Salisbury, N. C., was shot in the thigh by a rebel guard who fired at random into the guard room at night and shot off two fingers from the hand of a member of the 20th Massachusetts regiment, and the bullet glanced and buried itself in Comrade Jennison's thigh. He was sent to a hospital and in about two months exchanged. After his wound healed he returned to his regiment and served his full term of three years. |