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ON THE SECOND GUN OF FIRST SECTION.

George W. Ranger, Farmington, of the Sixth Maine Battery, Light Artillery, writes:

Thomas W. Thorndike was in the same section with me from October, 1864, to time of discharge, 1865. We did not serve the same gun, however, he being on the first, and myself on the second gun of the first section. I did not see the occurrence when

his foot and leg were injured. I do, however, remember him as an excellent man, always cool in action and a boy of good habits. A man who served in the Sixth Maine Battery from October, 1864, to March, 1865, in Fort McGilvery in front of Petersburg, was liable at any time to incur injury of which Rhodes speaks. There were few days during the five months we were in McGilvery, but we were in action and many times such action was very sharp. It was the nearest fort on our line during the winter of 1864-5 to Petersburg, and the enfiladed situation, together with the prominence of the work, made it a target for many heavy guns. I visited the place a short time ago and it is a wonder how Thorndike or any of us got away safe.

FEELING REAL SMART NOW.

Isaac G. Chandler, West Stoughton, Mass., of the Twenty-second Maine and the First Maine Heavy Artillery, writes:

I feel thankful for the BUGLE; I have three this year. I like them so much I hope I shall be able to take them as long as I am able to read

them. My health has been poor ever since I got my garden stuff in last fall. I suppose I worked too hard; I have not done anything since. I had to go to the hospital, and was under the doctor's hands from the middle of January until April; since then I have gained so I am feeling real smart now. I would like to go to the Reunion in August. I do not know as I shall ever again have a chance, when

both of my regiments will meet in one week. The Twentysecond meets the 13th of August, First Maine Heavy Artillery the 21st and 22d. Money is all the trouble this time. I get the great sum of $8 per month. I want to go so bad; it's no use, I have got to stay at home.

LET THE GOOD WORK GO ON.

Hon. E. M. Tuton of Company E, Tenth New York Cavalry, of Bentley Creek, Penn., writes:

The MAINE BUGLE reaches me every quarter. Let the good work go on.

A SURPRise.

Captain A. J. Crockett of Rockland was very pleasantly surprised a short time ago when a stranger walked up to him and asked him if he remembered any of the men who were with him on the gunboat Rhode Island in 1864. The gentleman then introduced himself as Lieutenant Edward E. Bradbury, U. S. N. Mr. Bradbury was master's mate on the Rhode Island during the Rebellion. and lost one arm at Mobile Bay. Captain Crockett remembered him well, and it is needless to add the gentlemen had a very pleasant chat.

SENDS KINDEST REGARDS.

John E. Crawford, Company B, Twenty-fourth Maine, Company F, First D. C. Cavalry, and Company C, First Maine Cavalry, of Fort Jones, California, writes;

I came to California in February, 1866, and went to Virginia City, Nevada. I worked six months, and

then I came to Siskiyon County, Cal., where I have made my home ever since. I have followed mining, of which I cannot say much. I lost the sight of my right eye in January, 1877. You would scarcely detect the injury, only a scar across the pupil. I learned the carpenter trade

when I first came here, and I find

plenty of work at good wages. We have a few acres and a very nice pleasant home, seven miles west of Fort Jones. I was married in 1870, and we have four boys and six girls; our oldest daughter is twenty-five and our youngest, Lucy May, is two years; our oldest boy is twenty-two, and he cast his first vote for McKinley. We are gold men and do not want any fifty-cent dollars. Our family has always been very healthy, and we are blessed with very good children, and the older ones are a great help now, for wages are always good here. We have six inches of snow now (November 30th), the earliest ever known, and we actually having about the coldest weather I ever saw in California, but

are

it does not last long. Give my kindest regards to all old comrades.

A PLEASANT EVENT.

One of the most delightful events of the season occurred at Friendship,

September 7, '96, when Captain M. B. Cook, late of Company B, First Maine Cavalry, entertained the comrades of P. Henry Tillson Post, G. A. R., of Thomaston and the ladies. of the Relief Corps and a few invited dred and thirty-one sat down to the guests at his residence. One hunbountiful repast in Cook's hall, prepared by the genial captain and his estimable wife and daughter. Cook's hall and the old family homestead across the way were thrown open to the lawn and croquet grounds for the guests, and settees disposed about

their convenience. At two o'clock

Captain Cook called the assembly to order and, after extending hearty greetings to the visitors, called upon

Senior Vice-Commander Fales for remarks. He was followed by ComBurton, Strout, Speed, Hewett, and rades Cushing, Woodbury, Mears,

many others of P. Henry Tillson Post, Rev. Mr. Nutter of Friendship, Edward K. Gould, Esq., of Rockland, and representatives from the Relief Corps. All the remarks were bright, pithy, and patriotic, keeping the audience in excellent humor.

Among the incidents was Comrade Strout's gallant allusion to the ladies, which brought upon him showers of bouquets from every part of the hall, greatly to the discomfiture of that gentleman and the amusement of the audience. The introduction of Comrade Speed, a veteran of more than eighty winters, as the oldest Grand Army comrade in P. Henry Tillson Post brought forth a chorus of cheers. Leaning upon his staff, the old veteran delivered a most touching address. It was one of the best

speeches of the occasion. The meeting closed with three lusty cheers for the host and his estimable wife. It was indeed an open-handed and openhearted affair on the part of Captain Cook and his wife and his estimable daughter, Mrs. Abbott.

THE SIXTH MAINE.

September 30, Houlton, through the instrumentality of one of her citizens, Frank W. Titcomb, extended her hospitality to over one hundred survivors of the gallant old Sixth Maine regiment. Mr. Titcomb was a member of the regiment and he conceived the idea of having them here with him to give a sort of gigantic housewarming at the opening of his new hostelry, the Titcomb hotel. The comrades were glad to respond to his cordial invitation, and now the citizens of the town have united to give them a taste of genuine Houlton hospitality. Some of the veterans came in Tuesday evening but the majority of them arrived on the early trains this morning. As many as could be accommodated spent the night in the immediate rooms of the hotel, while the remainder were distributed about town.

In the forenoon the comrades assembled for a short business meeting, and the rest of the day was spent in sight-seeing about town. In the evening the visitors were tendered a banquet in Music Hall by the citizens, some of whom welcomed them most cordially to the town, after the feast of good things had been discussed. The following day was devoted to informal enjoyment and sight-seeing, and the reunion terminated with a

mammoth camp-fire at the residence of Mr. Titcomb. The citizens were heartily glad to see the veterans, and did their best to show it.

THE DEAR OLD BOYS.

Joseph T. Darling of Malaga, Cal., late of Company F, First Maine Cavalry, writes:

I fear I cannot go back East to one more reunion of the dear old regiment. Make it a point to give my love and best wishes to every comrade you see and tell them as I grow older in years I love them more and more, the dear old boys of the First Maine Cavalry.

We are now in the midst of the raisin packing season. Fresno county is the busiest place in the whole country. The picking and gathering is over, and now we are packing raisins, figs, and dried fruit. You can get an idea when I tell you we shall send out over three thousand cars of raisins, twenty-five raisins, twenty-five thousand cars. of dried fruit, and hundreds of tons of figs, nuts, olives, etc., besides oranges and lemons and wheat, thousands of carloads. We are getting good prices this year, which we have not had for four years past. I am one of the mem-bers of the Malaga Co-operative association, which has caused the better prices.

It is now midnight; all of Malaga is wrapped in slumber, and I alone am guardian of the night, for I am night watchman of the packing house.

Last year we packed from this house one hundred and sixty-five cars of raisins, so you see it is no small affair.

ONE ASSOCIATION ONLY.

James H. Merritt, Portland, Me., late of Company E, First Maine Cavalry, writes:

I regret very much that I was not able to get to Waterville. I intended to go but was prevented. I hope the boys will all stick together and make one grand association of the old First Maine Cavalry. We did more service in the First Maine than we did in the First D. C., and we ought to be, as we came home, one organization. The BUGLE is very interesting, and getting more so every year. When a fellow gets into one it carries him back to the old scenes of thirty odd years ago. Our ranks are thinning out fast, and the boys should stand shoulder to shoulder in these last days. Does any one imagine what

condition the country would have We are now been in but for them?

on the wane.

THE PETERSBURG MINE.

This article, which appeared in the July BUGLE of 1896, is the clearest and most exhaustive account which has been given to the public. It was taken from the history of the Fortyeighth Pennsylvania Infantry, written by Major Oliver Christian Bosbyshell, treasurer of the Fidelity Mutual Life Association of Philadelphia, and is a fair sample of the excellent qualities of that history. Glory in war is said to consist in being killed in battle and having your name wrongly gazetted. This warlike honor was done the Major by presenting his name with an extra c in it, viz.:Bosbyschell, instead of Bosbyshell.

IN MEMORIAM.

JAMES WHITE BIXBY. This well-known and highly esteemed resident of Somerset county died at his home in Athens, July 3, 1896, after a long and distressing illness. He was born in Athens, April 3, 1834. His father, George Bixby, was born in Boxford, Mass., near Newburyport, in 1788, and his mother, Rachel White, in Bloomfield

in 1794. He was a millman by occupation, and was an excellent allround mechanic. In 1858 he was happily united in marriage to Lovey J., daughter of the late Rev. Comfort Taylor. Two children were born of this union, Martha A., who died

when a child, and Maria Laura, wife of Robert Hayden. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Thomas E. Martin, whose husband was formerly mayor of Annapolis, Md. In 1863 Mr. Bixby enlisted in Company B, Thirtieth Maine regiment. Soon after he went South he was quite ill, and while unable to continue in the field in active service, he was very efficient in hospital work. He had been town clerk and supervisor of schools, and at his death he was one of the trustees of Somerset Academy and president of Athens Hall association. In 1895 he represented his district in the legislature. He was a man of

commanding presence and his char- church upon his removal to Auburn. acter was strongly marked.

DR. E. S. COAN.

Dr. E. S. Coan of Auburn died May 30, 1896, after a long illness, at his home, corner of High and Drummond streets, in Auburn.

Dr. Elisha Skinner Coan was a native of Exeter. He was born Jan. 26, 1843. Early in life he decided upon the practice of medicine and surgery as an occupation. He was a student in the office of Dr. David Evans of Garland, later he attended the Maine Medical School at Bowdoin College, and graduated in July, 1870. He first located in the practice of his profession in Bradford, going from there to Garland. came to Auburn in December, 1887. Dr. Coan was in the Civil War, going to the front in Company D, Twentieth Maine regiment, in July, 1862. He remained with this regiment until October, 1863, and from that date to June, 1865, he was in the United States Signal Service Corps, in the Army of the Potomac.

He

At the meetings of Burnside Post of Auburn, of which he was an honored member and at one time the surgeon, it was a treat to listen to Dr. Coan's army reminiscences. He was well posted on the features of many of the great battles. He had a way of going into details and bringing them out in a most interesting manner. He was a warm friend of all comrades of the Grand Army.

He became a member of the Congregational church while living in Garland, transferring his membership to the High street Congregational

At one time he was supervisor of schools in Bradford and in Garland; he was also interested in the schoolboard. In the eighties he represented the Garland district in the legislature. Two years ago he was president of the Auburn Y. M. C. A. Dr. Coan married Miss Mary Abbie Swett of Garland twenty-five years ago. He leaves a widow and four children: Newton Swett, Marion Sadie, Anna Estelle, and William Frederick Coan, the last named being the youngest, fifteen.

Comrade Coan's war record was the very best. He served on the color guard of the Twentieth Maine, and was one of the survivors of that guard who stood by the colors at Gettysburg.

MELVIN W. EVELETH.

Mr. M. W. Eveleth of Colorado Springs, Col., died there, May 10, 1896. Mr. Eveleth formerly lived in Maine, and had many friends in Lewiston, Auburn, Durham, Lisbon, and Portland, and was once connected with several dry goods establishments in Portland. In 1880 President Harrison appointed him postmaster, which he held until March, 1893, resigning on account of ill health. About seven years ago Mr. Eveleth had a severe stroke of paralysis, since which time he has been a great sufferer. At the age of fifteen years he ran away from home and enlisted July 30, 1862, in Company F, First Maine Cavalry. Promoted corporal, 1863, sergeant in 1864, and mustered out in June, 1865. He was at Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antie

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