Evening Star Newspaper, September 19, 1892, Page 12

Grand Army proved. ‘In whose mind did the first idea of collecting every element of the federal army, officers and men on the same footing, into one solid organization originate? This is a point which has been much discussed and over which much dispute has arisen. The facts as recognized now give to Chaplain W. J. Rutledge, then of the fourteenth Illinois infan- try, the credit of the first inception of the tre- mendous project and to Major B. F. Stephenson the honor of practically developing the concep- tion. From 1862 Chaplain Rutledge and Dr. Ste- phenson were members of the same regiment, tent mates and bosom companions. In 1864 their regiment formed a portion of Sherman's expe- dition to Meridian and while upon this cam- paign the great central thought formed itself in Chaplain Rutledge’s mind that after the mustering out the men who had fought and suffered together would desire some means of | preserving friendship and of keeping alive the | memories of common trials and dangera. | | This idea he communicated to Dr. Stephen- | son and together they discussed the tremend- | ous possibilities of such an organization in which officers and men should nd on exactly | the same level and the word “‘comrad: th | all the associations which went with it, be the | great chain which bound all together. PREPARING A RITUAL. After the war the same object formed, the subject matter for correspondence between these two men up to March, 1866. when Chap- lain Rutledge met Dr. Stephenson in Spring- field, IL, and went over s proposed ritual for PRK ¥. STEPHENSON—FOUNDER. The Organization to Which Half a Million Men ~4 ; the organization. Give Alleeiance Posvisa a A cb nad on ty an a r ter of 1 66 Dr. Stephenson had shown notes of « proposed ritual to geveral persons in ringfield. dually the project emerged | from the nebuious state through the active work of those whe had been interested, The conferences at Springfield, which finaily re sulted in the final organization, were partici- | pated in, so far as known, by Dr. Sgephenson, | Col. John M. Snyder, Dr. James Hamilton, | Maj. Robert M. Woods. Maj. Robert Allen, Chaplain William J. Tut! Flood, Col. Daniel Grass, C ince, Capt 8. Phelps, Capt. John A. Lightfoot, Capt. B. F. Smith, Brevet Maj. A. A." North, Capt. Henry E. Howe and Lieut. B. F. Hawkea Dr. Stephenson was especially aided in the work of drawing up aritual by Capt. John 8, Pheips, who bad enlisted as a private in the The Comrades of Cup an Field Perpetated in Peace. [frome for gallant condact Pung Landing. te | ‘The ritual was finally prepared, and in order | to preserve due secrecy in ite- printing Capt. Phelps carried the copy to Decatur, where it printed by the Decatur Tritune, the pro- prietors of which paper, I. W. Coltrin and Jo- How the G. A. KR. Was Organized and How | der the new organization. Dr. J.W. Routh and 1t Hae Grown —A Sketch of the Great Or- | Capt Mv. F. Kanan were energetic in this ras eae National | and ina short time signatures to an applica- eas iam a tion for a charter were obtained and Dr. Ste- Commanders—Its Aims and WEARERS OF THE BLUE seph Prior, and all their employes had been in the military service. During his stay in Deca- | tur Capt. Phelps mnterested a ‘number of ex- soldier in the plan, with the result that an | earnest determination was aroused among the Decatur veterans to organize the first post un- 6 Methods. HE GREAT CIVIL war was over. Thou- sands of men, wearers of the biue, who had slept side by side, marched shoulder to shoulder and fought elbow against elbow for four long years, were scattered in every direction. picking up the old thread of their lives, carrying it on in - the old direction or branching off in new paths, Four years of companionship, four years of & A. HUELBURT—1966-67 2ONN A. LoGAx—1868-69-70. hardships, four years of dangers faced together could not, however. be entirely thrown aside and forgotten. ‘The invisible bond of comrade- ship existing between officers and men was too strong to be broken entirely. It stretched and seemingly snapped for the few years imme- diately following peace, but then slowly bat surely contracted and drew comrade to com- rade, old soldier to old soldier, and as a result the Grand Army of the Kepublie was formed and grew rapidly into a new army of peace, whose ties should be those of friendship and notof danger and whose term of enlistment should be as lasting as life. ‘There isa certain amount of uncertainty hovering around the real and actual originator ef the grand plan of the army of peace. No sooner was the war over and the discharge commenced than the desire sprang into life that the friendships ‘ormed should be main- ‘tained: and but few regiments failed to arrange for future meetings st times that would com- memorate some especial event. The desire for organization did not stop at regiments. The Third Army Corps Union was formed @uring the war itself, as was the Society ot the Army of the Tennessee. WHEN TRE WAR CLosED. ‘The close of the war was followed by the organization of a number of socicties and associations more or less restricted in regard to membership, bot many of which have flour- ished exceedingly. The exciting political events of 1865-66 also produced a large number of political veteran societies, such as the “Boys im Blue,” “Soldiers and Sailors’ Leagues” “Conservative Army and Navy Union,” &c. ‘These organizations were formed purely for political purposes and asthe men who made up their membership were afterward or at the same time largely comrades in the Grand Army they are toa great extent responsible for the unjust imputation that the Grand Army was formed and conducted as a gigantic polit- feal organization. All these organizations filled a certain place and answered a certain purpose, but were not the broad associgtion of comrades which the phenson was requested to formally organize the first post. MUSTERING IN THE FIRST Post. Already the formation of a post had been commenced at Springfield, but was not yet in the deserving and worthy. Sec. 2. The results which are to be accomplished by this organization are as fol- 1, The evation of those kind and f-a- ternal feeiings which have bound together, with the strong cords of love and affection, the comrades in arms of many battles, sieges and marches. 2. To make these ties available in works and results of kindness, of favor and material aid to those in need of assistance, 3. To make provision, where it is not already done, for the support, care and ‘education of soldiers’ orphans, and for,the maintenance of widows of deceased soldiers, 4. For the protection and assistence of dis- abled soldiers, whether disabled by wounds, sickness, old age or misfortune. 5. For the establishment and defense of the late soldiery of the United States, morally, 8o- cially and politically, with » view to inculcate ® proper appreciation of their services to the country, and to a recognition of snch services and claims by the American people. {The encampment of 1863 added: “But this association does not design to make nomina- tions for oflice or te use its influence as a se- eret organizction for partisan purposes.”) The encampment of 1866 also adopted tho following from tho constitution of the Loyal Legion: The maintenance of true allegiance to the United States of America, based upon para- mount respect for, and fidelity to, the national Constitution and ‘laws, manifested by the dis- countenancing of whatever may tend to weaken loyalty, incite to insurrection, treason of re- bellion, or in any manner impairs the efficiency and permanency of our free institutions, to- gether with a defense of universal liberty, equal rights and justice to all men. THE SECOND Post. There is some doubt as to the actual time of the formation of Post No. 2 at Springfield. At any rate it was formed about this time with a considerable membership, as might be ex- pected in the city where birth had been given to the mighty scheme of a grand federation of the veterans. A pleasant incident in the history of this post was the presentation in No- vember, 1866, of a gold-headed cane to Dr. Stephenson inscribed: “From the Sons of the G. A. R, to the Father. A short time previous to the formation of the JOHN c. RoLINSON—1877-78, ringfield post General Orders No. 1had been sued by Dr. Stephenson, bearing date of April 1, 1866, in which a depart appointed as foilows: chief ol Maj. Robert M. Woods, adjutant gen- eral; Col. John M. Snyder, quartermaster xen- .. Phelps, aid-de-camp, and Lightfoot, ‘assistant adjutant staff started vigorously on the task of forming new posts throughout the and although met by many obstacles were accessful.” Prior to July 12, which was the date set for holding a state convention in which to formaily organize the Department of llinois, thirty-nine posts had been chartered. The organizing convention which met at Spriny July 12 was brought about by a enll signed by prominent veterans all D. C, MONDAY, §: ERY ———_— 19, 1892—PART TWO. government officials and to fo that honorable service. as s Soldier or sailor may constitute # qualification for appointment to office. Another resolution protested against the burying of ‘confederate Head in Detional cemeteries. The second election of officers resulted as follows: Commander-in-chief, John A. Logan, Illinois; senior vice com- mander, Joshua T. Owen, Ivana; junior Tee commander, Joseph R Hawley, Connecti- cut; adja general Potomac. << — GEN. LOGAN'S ADMINISTRATION. The year following this encam,ment was a ‘most important one for the Grand Army. Gen. Logan proved an energetic and capable execu- tive and the work progressed with rapidity. Headquarters were established in this city, which also greatly aided the organization in the facilities which were afforded for inter- course with the departments, In all ways the most important event of Gen. Logan's administration was the issue on May 5, 1863, of an order designating “May 30 asa day for “strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country:” The order states that it was the hope of the commander that the observance of the eustom would be kept up LEWIS WAGNER—1880, throughout future years, and how well thi wish has been followed can be attested each year by the impressive ceremonies held from one end of the country to the other in honor of the fast growing army of the dead. Consider- ing the genuine unanimity with which the ceremonies of this dey are now accepted as a graceful and appropriate tribute to dead heroes it is curious to find that when first In- angurated the plan met with bitter opposition as tending to keep alive and foster the memor- ies and animosities of the war, ‘This first administration of Gen. Logan's has been severely attacked on the claim that under it the Grand Army was made a political organi- zation pure and simple. ‘This charge has never been established and has probably ae its only basis the fact that Gen. Logan himself was a partisan of Secretary Stanton in his fight gninst the President and from the well-estab- lished tact that a number of veterans in this city were armed and prepared to resist forcibly any attempt to eject Secretary Stanton from the War Department, ‘THE THIRD ENCAMPMENT. Cincinnati was the scene and May 12, 1869, the date of the third encampment of the order. Gen, Logan presided and in astirring address referred to the good work which had been ac- complished. Speaking of the peaceful muster- ing out of the huge armies which had fought the war the commander said: “In fact there is notin human history a cnse cited, except ours, in which a million of soldiers were re- from belligerent to peaceful Probably there is no government on arth except our own that would have dared to try the experiment. I am confident there is no other in which such trial would be safe, The report of the adjutant general showed over the state. ‘The convention was largely a tended and the widest publicity given to proceedings. The Department of Illinois was firmly and thoroughly established and by this means # tremendous stride toward the accom- | lishment of the maguificent general plan. | The convention adopted a comprehensiv ment of principles and paid a glowing served compliment to Dr. Stephenson, Gen., now Senator, John M. Palmer was e | department commander and Maj. Gen. John Cook assistant commander. a condition for mustering in. Dr. Steplenson with a few friends accordingly went to catur, and on April in, with Gen. Isaac C. Pugh as con i Both t te ely of their time and labor to the org: of other posts. Prior to this a very limited constituency had ade Dr. Stephenson “Commander of the De- | rtment of Hlinois,” with Maj. Robert M. Woods adjutant general THE FIRST CHARTER, The first charter is interesting as an_impor- ik in the history of the Grand Army. It| men afterwar. Gaaxp Anxy or tHe Rerrstte, | sprang up ail over the country and depart- Illinois, it will be seen. had set the example and other states were not slow to follow. Posts | ments resulted rapidly. Mi eted as provisional tephenson now | hief, and 3s . departments had been formed in Lilinoia, Wisconsin. Indiana, low: nesota and posts in Oiuo, Missouri, Kentuc ansas, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania, THE FIRST NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT, In October. 1866, Dr. Stephenson mander-in-chief issued the call for the first na- tional encampment, to meet at Indianapolis on | ‘ ch post was to be enti- Deraurmess or Inuryors. To all whom it may concern, grecting: } Kuow ye, that thie commander of the Depart- | rge H. Dunning, 1 C. Reibsame, | y. LN. Coltrin, Joseph Prior and A. Toland, does, by the authority in bim vested, empower and constitute the charter members ment of the | Grand Army of the I to be known Post 1, of Decatur, district of Macon, Depar ment of Ilinois, and are hereby constituted said pest, and authorized to make bylaws fo the government of said post, to do an: | perform all acts necessary to conduct and | carry on said organization in accordance with | the constitution of the Grand Army of the Ki pebhe. P*Pone at Springficld, TL, this 6th day of April, 1966 B. F. Sternes Commander of the Department. ‘M. Woops, Adjutant General. After the formation of the Decatur post the work of revising the ritual and drawing up a constitution was continued by Dr. Stephenson and his associates, and on May 15 copies of the = S JOuN F. MARTRANPT--1875-76. constitution were printed and sent to the De- catur post. ‘The constitution agreed on at this time provided for a plan of organization con- sisting of: First—Precinct organizations, to be known as Post —, the officers to be post cot mander,adjutant and quartermaster. Second. County organization, to be known as district of (name of county), with a district com- mander, an assistant adjutant general and dis- trict quartermaster. Third—State organiza- tobe known as department of (name of state), Officers—Department commander, ad- jatant goneral, assistant adjutant general and quartermaster general. Fourth—The national organization, to be known as “The Grand Army of the Republic,” the’ officers to be a commanding officer, adjutant general and quar- termaster general. ® The constitution provided that posts were to have no direct representation. in the dopart- mentencampment. The county or ne or- Sanization was to consist of oue delegate for every ten members of the Grand Army of the district, Each district was entitied to one del- egate in the department organization. The national organization was to consist of two delegates from each department. THE DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES. Adjt Gen. Robert M. Woods drew up the clear and comprehensive “declaration of prin- ciples” which the constitution contained,which read: Section 1. The soldiers (‘and sailors” was added here and elsewhere at the first na- tional encampment) of the volunteer army of the United States, during the rebellion of 1861-5, actuated by the impulses and convic- tions of patriotism and of eternal right, and combined in the strong bands of fellowship and unity by the toils, the dangers and the victories ofa long and vigordusly waged war, feel themselves called upon to declare, in defi- nite form of words and in determined co-opera- tive action, those principles and rules which | sentative and in the same ratio for every addi- | tional 100. | Missour: | M. Palmer tled to one representative and wien the mem- bership exceeded 100 to one additional repree ‘The encampment convened at Mor- | rison’s Opera House ar Dr, Stephenson. The reg were appointed and the committee on ereden- tials reported the following list of representa- | tive: district of Columbia, 1; Illinois, diana, 148; lowa, Kan New York 7 . Gen, John | made permanent president. At| this first eucampment a number of changes | Were made in the coustitution and ritual, The | title of the constitution was changed to “Rul and Kegulations.” National encampments w in the future to be e situted on the b o one representat? ge from each depart- ment and one tative for each 1,060 members therei dey cers were to be ex- members, A number of stirring resolutions were adopted by the encampment, It was stated that the rand Army Was organized to maintain in civil life those great principles for w under the national flag. Aid and ussistan were pledged to the veterans of the war. Cor ress was called on to pass @ law equalizing Goantlen, ‘The encampmsnt pledged {we ald ts secure legisiation looking toward the mainte- and education of the widows and or- f dead comrades and the President and 8 inauthority were called upon to provide positions, so far as possible, for maimed sol- diers. ‘The first election for officers of the national encampment resulted in the choice of the fol- lowing: Commander-in-chief, S. A. Hurlbut, I- linois; senior vice commander, J, B. McKean, New York; junior vice commander, R, 8. Fos- ter, Indiana; adjutant general, B. F. Stephen- son, Illinois; quartermaster general, August Willich, Ohio; surgeon general, D. C. MeNeil, Towa; chaplain, Win. A. Pile, Missouri, On the evening of the 20th an enthusiastic meeting was held. at which cheering speeches were delivered by a number of prominent men. During the year foliowing the first encamp- ment the organization suffered somewhat of an ebb in its prosperity. ‘Through the failure of the commander-in-chief to issue a call no en- Vania, WM. BARNSHAW—1879, campment was held in 1867. An order issued in Décember, however, called the Grand Army together on January 15, 1868, at Philadelphia, THE SECOXD ENGAMPMENT. The sgcond eneampment, therefore, met in the Assembly building, Philadelphia. Twenty- one departments were represented, there being present representatives, in addition to those of the first encampment, from Maine, New Hamp- shire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, i F during H % Grend Hh | become a veteran. Veterans only were eligible j1 | mi that the Grand Army now cousisted of thirty- seven departments with about 2,500 posts, A $1,74L.76 was reported, This encampment was marked Dy a radical change inthe rules by which it was expected that membership would be made more attrac- tive, but which on the contrary caused hun- dreds of posts to disband and which was abandoned shortly, ‘This was the adoption of & grado system comprising the grades of re- cruit, of soldier and of vetcran, Recruits could be made soldiers only after of service and a regular el servite and an election were necessary to to important offices, A present and past ofticers who took the degree before September ans, while all other vers of the G. A, R. who underwent the obligations by the same time were constituted soldiers, ‘This practically legislated out of the Grand Army all who should refuse or neglect to take the obligations by the stated time. The trouble was now in getting members to take the new obligations, but in this the greatest opposition was met. Although the time for dropping those who rejused the new order was several times extended there was litile result and thou- sands of members disappeared from the rolls. ‘The grade plan worked such. disaster that two cars later it was abandoned entirely. It is Claimed that previous to its adoption there were 240,000 members enrolled while less than 0 remained when the abol- system w cinnati_ encampment realized the © organization which would follow from the growing belief that the Grand Army Was simply a seeret political organization.and a resolution was adopted declaring the non-par- tisan chai tion of officcrs this year resulted in the re-elec- tion of Gen. Logan as commander-in-chief, with Lucius Fairchild, Wisconsin, senior vico commander; Joseph B. Hawley, Connecticut, junior nder. Under the new rules the ad: neral, quartermaster general, inspector general and judge advocate general wore tobe appoimted Ly the commander-in- chi A special meeting of the encampment was held in New York on October 27, 1869, when, among other actions, a new badge was adopted. nd all mémbers of the order then in good standing were declared entitled to the third grade or that of veteran. During Gen. Logan's second administration Gen, Chipman resighed the adjutant general- ship and was succeeded Ly W. T. Collins of Minnesota, THE YOURTH ENCAMPMENT, The fourth annual encampment met in this city May 11,1870, and was presided over by Commander-in-chief Logan, Gen, Logan at this time made a wise and patriotic address, in whichhe used the expression, referring once more to the political charges against the or- ganization, “Our only political creed being the love of our country and its hallowed institu- tions.” Gen. Logan also further recommended the observance of Memorial day. The reports made by the various officers at this encamp- ment ail referred to the ditlicuities which were being met in estublising the grade system, Among the resolutions’ adopted were ones of sorrow atthe death of Maj. Gen. George H. ‘Thomas and in favor of the recognition of May 80 a8 a memorial day. This resolution was fol- lowed by the adoption of a new article toths rules and regulations which formally estab- lished Memorial day. The encampment re- elected John A. Logan as commander-in-chicf, with Lucius Fairchild, senior vice commander; Louis Wagner, Pennsylvania, junior com- mander; Samuel A. Green, Massachusetts, sur- geon general, and George W. Collier, Ohio, chaplain, During the third term of Gen. Logan the rs of the staff continued to serve, old mem! THR FIFTH ANNUAL BNCAMPMENT. On May 10, 1871, the fifth annual session of the national encampment met in John A. An- drew Post Hall, Boston. Seventeen depart- ments were represented., At the Boston en- campment the rules were amended s0a8 to The election of officers resulted: Commander- in-chief, Ambrose E. Burnside. Rhode Island; senior vice commander, Louis Wagner, Penn- sylvania; junior vice commander, James Corey, fornia; surgeon general. Dr. Samuel A’ Green, Massachusetts, and chaplain, Rev. Wm. Earnshaw, Ohio. ‘New York was chosen by Gen. Burnside for the headquarterk of the Grand Army during his administration. Wm. Cutting of New York was made adjutant general; Cornelius T. Atwood of Massachusetts, quartermaster general; Robert B. Beath of Pennsylvania, inspector general; Wm. W. Donglass of Rhode Island, judge advo- cate, and Roswell Miller, of New York, assist- ant adjutant, THE CLEVELAND ENCAMPMENT. The annual enc&mpment this year was held in Cleveland on May 8, 1872, sixteen depart- ments being represented: It was reported at this encampment that over $74,000 had been expended by posts in charity, a large portion of whjch had gone to relieve veterans not members of the Grand Army. What a com- mentary was thison the traducers of the or- ganization! The encampment adopted a reso- lution calling on Congress to amend the laws rolatin of the burial therein of volunteers who wore PAUL VAN DER YooRtT—1882, Passing away from time to time, A strong committee was also appointed to urge needed legislation upon Con- gress. The plan of having clergymen all over the country preach commemorative ser- mons on the Sunday preceding Memorial day was strongly indorsod. A few changes wero made in the rules and the encampment finished its work by electing the foilowing officers Commander-in-chief, A. E. Burnside (re- elected); sentor vice commander, Louis Wag- Ret (re-elected); Junior vieo commander, J. Warren Keifer, Ohio; surgeon general, Dr. Green (re-elected), and chaplain, Rev. Wm. Earnshaw (re-elected). During Gen, Burnside’s second term head- warters were retained in New York with the same staff officers until later in tho year, | vice commander. Guy Ingpector General Beath resigning, Milan B. Goodrich of New York was appointed to that position, THE NEW HAVEN ENCAMPMENT. ‘The encampment of 1873 was held in the hall of the house of representatives in New Haven, Conn., sixteen departments being again repre- sented, Commander Burnside in his address congratulated the Grand Army that in the past exciting political campaign the non-partisan character of the organization had been firmly shown. The encampment pledged its support to the centennial exhibition to be held in Phil- adelphia in 1876 and elected officers as follows: Commander-in-chief, Charles Devens, jr., Mas- sachusetts; senior vice commander, John Tk Gobie, New Jersey; junior vice commander, Edward Ferguson, Wisconsi Dr, Powell, New York; chaplain, Rev. Au- gustus Woodbury, Rhode Island, Headquarters were established by the new commander in Boston, and with C. G. Attwood a8 adjutant general’ the work of tho Grand Army progressed satisfactorily. Tho statf besides Mr. Attwood consisted of A. B. R. Sprague, Massachtgetts, quartermaster gen- eral; A. Wilson Morris, Peunsyivania, inspec- tor general and W. W. Douglas, Rhode Island, judge advocate, urgeon general, AT marnispvno. The 1874 encampment was held on May 13 at Harrisburg, Pa. Fifteen departments were represented. At this time report was made of the destruction by fire, on May 30, 1873, of the books of record of the order and other material of great historical importance to the organiza- tion, Among the resolutions adopted was one thanking Gen. M.C. Meigs for his share in obtaiping the erection of a building at Arling- ton for use on Memorial days, Charles Deven: was re-clected commander-in-chicf with the | following other officors: Senior vice com- mander, Edward Jardine, New York; junior T. Gould, Indiana; sur- geon general, Dr. Hans Powell, New York chaplain, Ker, Augustus Woodbury, Khode slan During Mr. Devens’ second term head- quarters were retained at Boston with an efti- cient staff, consisting of Hl. Rt, Sibley, adjutant ‘A.° BR Sprague, quarterm: . W. Brown, inspector general; W. judge advocate, and lienry W, Xe-camp. By an order issued | commit norative Y was appointed to/ prepare a com rvie AN ENCAMPMENT IN CHICAGO, This year the national encampment met at Chicago on May 12, 1875. Reports made at this time showed that the order had increased numerically to aconsiderable extent since the last encampment, Resoiutions calling on Congress to equalize bounties were adopted and the encampment finished its ofifcial busi- ness by electing officers as follows: com- mander-in-chief, John F, Hartranft, Pennsyl- vania; senior vice commander, J. S. Reynolds, Illinois; junior vice commander, Charles J. Buekbee, Connecticut; surgeou general, Dr. John W. . Massachusetts; chaplain, Rev. Myron W. Heed, Wiscon: ‘his Chicago en- catmpment marked a new era for the Grand Army in one way. that isin the number and extent of the hospitalities which were extended | the delegates, and inthe following year was inauguratedgwhat is now an especial feature of the excampments, the big parades, ‘The new commander made Philadelphia his heudqnarters, His staff consisted of Robert | B, Beath, Pennsylvania, adjutant general; Wm. Ward, New Jersey, quartermaster general; W. F, Rogers, NewWork, inspector general, and W. W. Douglas, Rhode Isiaud, judge advocate, THE CENTENNIAL ENCAMYMENT, ‘The tenth annual session of the Grand Army was-a gala ono. It was held in Philadelphia Inne 30, 1876, at which time the centennial ex- hibition waz in progress. Former encamp- ments had been attended only by the delegates, This year, howeyer, was commenced the cus- tom of large numbers of the comrades from every section of the country making the affair a grand reunion and having as a feature of the occasion a grand parade of the posts. Twenty- two departments were represented at Philadel- phia, Reports from all officers were of the most encouraging character. The 3d of July was devoted to the new feature—a parade of the order. Posts from Pennsylvania, Massachu- setts, New York, New verscy, Maryland and Virginia took part in the procession. On the 5th a reunion was held at the Scheutzen Park, | to national cemeteries, so as to allow | mander Robiuson er the following staff: Adjutant general, James L. Farley; quarter- master general, Wm. Ward; j ivocate, Wm. Cogswell; inspector general, W. F. Rogers. AT SPRINGFIELD, MASS ‘The encampment of 1878 was held in Spring- field, Mass, on June 4 Commander Robinson, in his address, referred to the railroad strikes which had taken place during the year and to the good which the Grand Army by moral in- fluences and by tender of service bad accom- plished toward the preservation of law and order. As commander-in-chief he had tele- graphed to the President: “The Grand Army of the Republic, an organization composed ex- clusively of veteran soldicrs and sailors, can, if necessary, furnish thousands of volunteers for the restoration and preservation of order. Among the resolutions adopted was one calling on comrades to discourage any desecration of Memorial day. The entire city of Springfield | joined in extending horpitalities to the-en- | Campment, an especial teature being the elab- orate decoration of hundreds of houses. Cot- mander Robinson was re-elected commander- | in-chief and the only changes in the other officers were the élection of Paul Van Der Voort of Kebraska, senior vice commander, and Herbert E. Hill of Massachusetts, junior vice commander, AT ALBANT. On June 17, 1879, the thirteenth annual ses- sion was heid at Albany, N. ¥. Previous to the encampment a large parade of the National Guard and posts from New York was held. In his address Commander Robinson vigorousiy disclaimed the charges of partisanship which report from the a showed a net gain in membership of over 4.000. ‘The rules relating to eligibility to membership were amended by adding the words “and of such state regiments as were called into active service and subject to order of U. 8. general officers, who served between April 12, 1861, and April 9, 1885.” Kev. Wm, Earnshaw, Ohio, was elected commander-in-chief; Join Palmer, New York, senior vica commander; Harrison Dingman, Washington, D. C., junior vice commander; Dr. W. B. Jones, Pennsylvania, surgeon gen- eral, and Rev. Jos. F. Lovering. chaplain. Headquarters were now moved to the Na- 3ous 8 KouNTZ—i884, tional Military Home in Ohio and the following staff appointed: ‘Adjutant general, Isnac B, Stevens, Ohio; quartermaster general, Wm. Ward: judge ad- vocate, W, H. Baldwin, Olio; inspector gen- eral, C. W. Raphun, Maryland, AT DAYTON. The national encampment of 1880 met at the Soldiers’ Home’ in Dayton, Ohio, on June & ‘The commander's address referred in terms of approbation to the organization of “Sons of of Veterans.” The adjutant general’s report showed a gain in membership for the year of 13,387. Louis Wagner, Pennsylvanis, was clected commander-in-chief, Edgar D. Swain, lilinows, senior vice commander; Geo. Bowers, New Hampsbire, junior vice commander; Dr. A. G Hamlin, Maine, surgeon general, and RevSJos. F.’ Lovering (for the fifth time), chaplain, Commander Wagner's staff consisted of Robt. B, Beath, Pennsylvania, adjutant g Y Ward, New Jersey. quartermaster ge: R. Carnahan, Indiana, inspector gene Geo. B. Squires, New York, judge advocate, THE FIFTEENTH ENCAMPMENT. The fifteenta annual session of the national encampment was calied to order in Indianapo- lis, Ind., on June 15, 1881, Twenty-one depart- ments were represented by 126 delegates. The commander announced that the gains for the year had been 240 posts and 15,000 new mem- bers, while Adjt. Gen, Beath’s report showed 60,673 members on the rolls in good standing. Resolutions were adopted indorsing the plan of forming a Womcn’s National Relief Corps and in a partial manner the Sons of Veterans, In- dorsement was alxo given by resolution to the articles of the Geneva convention for the amelioration of the condition of the wounded marmics ‘1 the field, and copies of the resolu- tion were sent to Miss Clara Barton, the bead of the Red Cross Association. The President of the United States was requested to enforce the laws providing for the ap promotion of disabled soldiers im the civil service. An enthusiastic reception was given the veterans on June 15 and a large campfire closed the encampment, The officers elected this year were: Commander-in-chief, Geo. 3. Merrill, Massachusetts; senior vice commander, Charles L. Young, Obio; junior vice com- mander, C. Y. R. Pond, Michigan; surgeon gen- eral, Dr, Charles Styer, Pennsylvania; chap- | lain, Rev. Jos. 1. Lovering (sixth term), Boston was again made the headquarters and the old staff of officers were appointed, with | the exception of the adjutant general, Wm. M. Olin, Massachusetts. Geuoral Orders No, 10, issued during the year, anounced the death of President Gar- field? IN BALTIMORE Ix 1882, ‘The annual encampment met at Baltimore on June 21, 1882, Twenty-six departments, with 227 representatives, being present. ‘The reports made nt this time showed that the past year bad been a tremendously prosperous one, over 33,000 new members having been added to the rolls, ‘ye commander-in-chief in his address referred to the fact that during the past year death for the first time had invaded the ranks of past commanders-in-chief of the Grand Army, and that Stephen A. Hurlbut and Ambrose E. Burnside would answer no more to their names. ‘The reports of all officers showed an increase in interest im the order in every di- rection, During the.encampment the city of Baitimore was elaborately decorated with and insignia and every possibie hospitality was showered on the oid soldier, On June 22a large parade of militia from’ Maryland, Rich- mond and Washington and a number of G. A. R. posts took place. The parade was reviewed by President Arthur and several members of his cabinet. Several excursions and a public meeting were among the other items on the program of courtesy. A committee was ap- pointed to present a testimonial to the city of Baltimore, and on July 10, 1883, performed the agreeable task, the testimonial taking the shape of un artistic bronde tablet, with an appropri ate address. This year the officers elected were: Commander-in-chief, Paul Van Der Voort, j the day wore the singing of a large choir of children and a parade of the Topeka Flambeau Club, | A number of extensive excursions were H of the program and at the close of the en- Pocapment ae delegates were taken on a grand excursion to Leadville and Gunnison. Tho addressot the commander spoke in trong | language for the enforcement of the laws in re- lation to the employment of disabled soldiers, and later a resolution to that effect was adopted. The report of the adjutant general showed 145.982 members in good standing on March 31, 1883, being a gain of over 55.000 since the pre- ceding March; $106.907.74 had been spent dur- ing the year for cbaritics, The inspector gen- | eral’s report termed the year “the most pros- Perous in the iustory of our organization.” Nu- merous resolutions were passed of geueral in- | terest and the following officers were elected: | Commander-in-chiet, Robert BR. Beath. Pena- sylvania; senior vice commander, Wm. Warner, | Missouri; junior vice commander, Walter li. Holmes, Calif surgeon general, Dr. Azel Massachusetts; chaplain, Rev. L M. ew York. | new commander was a Pe vanian and headquarters were established in Philadel- | phia, with a staff consisting of Jon M. Vander- slice, adjutant general; Join Taylor, Pennsyl- | Vania, quartermaster general; Chas, A. Sant | myer, inspector general; Wm. Vandever, lowa, judge advocate, and Thomas J. Stewart, Penn- syivania, assistant adjutant, AT MINNRAPOLIS. July 23, 1894, the eighteenth se | the encampment commenced at | where elaborate preparations had | for the reception of the veterans, | departments were represented, with 362 dele- had again been made against the order. The | gates. Tho report of the adjutant general | °™ Ajutant general this year | showed a membership of 253.805. A commit-| "8 Met with open arms The encampment | tee reported a successful effort to have Con | gress establish a national home west of the | Mississippi, The eneampment spent considor- able time im disenssing the question of pension legisiation. The committee on this su presented a majority and a minority re the former of which was finally adopted. report adopted favored legislation for pens to survivors of rebel prisons suffer ability without requiring proof th ability was actually ineurred in accordance with the r commander, anoth things, :*in the opin tee, this order has too long be. as @ supplicant for unequal reco; manding equal consideration and the unmaimed,the brok the robust « the government should not be jooked upon as a matter of spoil decrepit soldier may loan, * nation’s treasury is full to overflowin; pretext for schon plete it, in the names of the her t they saved the nation.” I uks to the state, city and depart opted and proper testimoni The officers elected for the Commander-in-chief, John 8. Kot Obio; senior vice commander, Minnesota; vice commander, Hicks, Connecticut; surgeon general, W. D. Hall, Pennsylvania; chaplain, T. M. Shanafelt. Among the proceedings outside of the encamp- ment proper were a large camp near the city called Camp Beath, which was opened with Proper ceremonies; a camp fire on the fair soldier and 3 | Dakota, The parade this year wa: ty of | bat astaff upon which the | d | prising Eugeno F ted commandor-in-ohiefy + Missourt, somor vice commander; hon. New Hampahire, Jantor view Florence toM |« Penpevivania, quarter- rast ‘al; Ira M. Hedi New York, i; Wheelock G. Veagey, Ver- ivocate, and Lobert Strattos, nt, MOUS EXCANPMENT, For its twenty-second annual session the en- nt went to Columbus, Obio, where it THR COL | Met on September 12, 1888, with 617 represen- tatives. Commander Hea drew attention to the fact that throughont the political campaign the Grand Army had retained its non- ch r. He also announced in focling terms the death of Gen. Sheridan. The reports showed a present membership of 385,906, te ons were adopted indorsing the Sons Veterans and of regret at Gen. Sheridan's death. Th lection of officers resulted as follows: Commauder-in chief, William Warner, Missouri: semor vice commander, Moses H | Neil. Ohio; junior vice commander, Jose Hadfield, New York; surgeom general, RK De Witt, "Iowa; ain, SG. Upayke, tremond- ous one, taking five hours im passing a given oiat “The parade contained many new ures and was reviewed by a large number arac quartes pointed = staff com- agen Weigel, Missouriy ‘adjutant john Taylor, Pennsylvania, quarter- master gene rf ~ ans. Massachu- setts, inspector general, and J, B, Jobnson, Kansas, judge advocate. ar MLW On August 28, 158 encampnient met at Milwaukee with forty-two departments, represented by 61 delegates, ‘The announcement was made of the formal carrying out of the gift to the order by the Drexel heirs of the cottage on Mt. McGregor in which Gen. Grant died; 392,598 members were announced in good standing. The elee- tuon of officers resulted: Commander-in-ehief, Russell A. Alger, Michigan; senior vice com- mander, A. G. Weissert, Wisconsin; junior viee commander, J. F. Lovett, New Jersey; surgeon general, Dr. Horace P. ‘Porter, Kansas; chap- iain, Rev, W. H. Childers, Kentucky. The pa- rade this year was on August 27, and was e huge one, Gen. Alger appointed on his staff Geo. H. Hopkins, Michigan. adjutant general; Joba Taylor. Pennsylvania, quartermaster general Lewis E. Griffith, New York, general, D. R. Austin, Ohio, judge advocate, THE LAST BOSTON ENCAMPMENT. Boston once more was the scene of the em campment, which met on August 12, and was « tremendous affair in allways, Thousands upon thousands of the veterans of the war, with their wives and families, crowded into Boston, which was elaborately decorated. The hospital ities extended were lavish and the parade took LUCIUS FATRCHILD—1886, ground and a grand parade of regular troops, National Guard and posts and delegations of the Grand Army. Commander Kountz appointed a strong staff, with W. W. Alcom, adjutant general; John Taylor, Pennsylvania, quartermaster general; Oscar A. Jones, Michigen. inspector general; D. R. Austin, Obio, judge advocate. Toledo, Ohio, was made headquarters for the year. THE ENCAMPMENT AT PORTLAND. Portland, Me., was the scene of the nine- teenth national cncampment, held on June 24, 1885—thirty-cight departments represented by 497 representatives, The reports at this time showed & membership of 269,684 on March 31, being a net gain during the year of 41,394. No better idea of the prosperity of the order during Commander Kountz’s ad- ministration than these figures can be given. ‘The encampment adopted a resolution of sym- pathy for Gen, Grant during his continued ill- ness and a characteristic reply was received from the dying commander. Action was taken in regard to the Sons of Veterans and the ad- ministrative session closed with the election of Samuel 8. Burdett. Washington, D.C. mander-in-chief; Selden Connor, Maine. vice commander; John R. Lewis, Gi junior vice commander; 3. C. Tucker, Califor- hia, surgeon general, and L. H. Stewart, Ohio, chaplain. Portland, during the encampment, opened wide its doors to the veterans, Twenty- three thousand men marched in the grand pa- rade on June 23, which was marshaied by Gen. George L. Beal. Washington again became the hoadquarters under Commander Burdett, and the following constituted the staff: Adjutant , ae Cameron, Washington, D. C.; general, John Taylor, Pennsyivani general, Argus D. Vanosdol; judge general, Chas. H. Grosvenor, Ob adjutant, Fred Brackett, Washington, D. C. ACROSS THE CONTINENT. For the twentieth encampment the Grand WHEELOCK G. Vearey—1890, many hours in“passing. President Harrison and several members of his cabinet reviewed the procession. The encampment, by « vote of 174 to 160, indorsed the per diem service pension bill. The officers elected were: Gen, Wheelock ¢ zey of Rutland, Vt, com- mander-in-chief; Richard Tobin of Massacha- setts, enior vice commander; George W. Creamer of Maryland, junior vice commander, B. F, Stevenson of Kentucky, surgeon generals Myron Reed of Colorado, chaplain. THE SILVER ANNIVERSAR city and state were energetic in their efforts te entertain the veterans, and the hospitalities were lavish, The parade was large and the line of march was gaily decorated. The com- mander, in his address, called attention to this Joux P. REA—1897, Army went completely across the continent and Nebraska; senior vice commander, W. E. W. when 8,000 persons were present. The election of officers resulted in the re-election of the old commanders, with Dr. James Watson surgeon general and Rev. Jos. F. Lovering chaplain, ‘TUE ELEVENTH ENCAMPMENT. Providence, R. L, was the scene and June 26, 1877, the date of the eleventh session of the Grand Army. There was a falling off this year in the attendance from the extra large encamp- strike out entirely the ill-advised system of grades, which had worked so disastrously. Tho encampment was also marked by a pleas- ant interchango of telegrams, The Universal Peace Association in session in New York tel- egraphed: “We congratulate you on a ful encampment As ment of the year before. ‘The order was shown to be in @ prosperous condition, however, al- though the gains and loses in membership about balanced each other. Numerous talities were extended the encampment, among them being assembled in San Francisco on August 4, 1856. | being the twenty-fifth anniversary of the order, ‘The citizens of San Francisco and Colifornia | Jie also referred to extended a most hearty welcome to the order | year, and the series of entertainments were of th most lavish description. The grand parade | Po: was held on the Sd. Over $30,000 was ex-| establishment of separate colored departments pended on the entertcinment. In the encamp- | in the south. The adjutant general's ment itself there were 489 representatives. | show: ® membership of 440,617. A report on The commander's address referred feelingiy to | the Grant monument fund showed $11,352.46 the deaths of Past Commander-in-chicf Wm. | tothe credit of the fund. The Sight this year ee er eS recat of the propensd fund Pat raised | finally chosen by a vote of 566 to 840 for by comrades for a memorial to Grant in Wash- | col, Neb. The committee on the address ington, D.C., and later ona committee was | the commander reported a resolution, which Setorals report showed 25/7 tomipry in| forte caro ofthe Ne MeGroper eolage A is | rod standing. Aresolution was passed con- | majority and minority report nade Sete os fees Ss Specs sleeker as over at . Keres, eer Stash nea i=