Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-05-12

to his first command rs a general-the eXped-
ton to North CarOlina-a running detail of the
prominent events of which he gave. The ninth
corps was appropriately noticed in this connec-
ton, and its subsequent history recounted in the
east and in the west The general said that
when he ordered the corps from the department
OF Ohio to Vicksburg, he felt that the last hope
of his personal success in command was gone;
but he felt that the countrys success was the bet
ter assured.
The Knoxville and Rapidan campaigns were
also alladed to- and the general closed by heart
lily welcoming his comrades, who returned the
compliment by "three cheers for the COM
mander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Re
public" news of General Burnsides election
having been received few minutes before. A
song was sung, and Gen. w. L. King, the toast
master, proposed:
''The President of the United States"
Naval Officer Hartman responded in a speech
eulogistc of the presidents military career, and
extolling his position as that of the representa-
tive of the people, in contradstinction to that
of European potentates, who were more appro-
plately denominated the masters of their
people.
"The Memory of our Martyred President"
Drank in silence.
"The Commonwealth of Massachusetts,"
Response by Gen. Charles F. Walcott of Cam
bridge.
"The Memory of John A. Andrew, the War Gov
ernor of Massachusetts"
Drank in silence. Gen. Fitzpatrick was called
to respond to:
''The Union, 1t must and shall be preserved"
He spoke eIoquently to the text, diverging
little to ask if the peoples promises to the SOL
der had been fulfilled. He deprecated state
pride, and said that to the American in foreign
climcS his particular section was lost in the
magnitude of the combined galaxy. A tribute
to Abraham Lincoln, as the second father of
his country, closed speech that was warmly
received.
"The Grand Army"
Gen. Woodlord, after a brief allusion to the
ninth corps, turned to the subject of the call,
characterizing himself as one of q minority in
the order, who would wipe away every oath,
abolish the ritual, and make it as free and open
as any Christian organization in existence. He
pleaded the cause of the widow aud child of the
fallen soldier, and commended the man with the
empty sleeve to the benevolence of his comrades.
The democrats who served in the Union ranks
were cOmplmented as true patriots, and the new
cOmmander-in-chief of the Grand Army as the
truest soldier that could be found for the posi-
ton. The soldiers, he said in conclusion, were
to preserve the country in the line marked out
for it in the beginning, as refuge for all who de-
sired freedom and equality.
1.-THE Army of the Potomac"
Gen. Meade said that Gen. Burnside, in his
brief history of the ninth corps, appeared to
pass over lightly its last connection with that
army through Spottsylvania and in front of
Richmond. As commander of the army, he
warmly appreciated and never lost sight of the
value of the ninth corps and its gallant COM
mander, and took occasion to remark that
whatever criticism might be made on his own
course in differing from Gen. Burnside, he
hoped that both would he credited with honesty
of purpose.
"The Navy"
Gen. J. G. Foster responded, and was received
with cheers. He alluded TO the presence of
Commander Fairfax, who was present in the be-
ginning, but that officer respectfully delegated
their response to one who had been so intimately
connected with the navy as Gen. Foster. The
latter recOunted the gallant deeds of the sailors
on the long Atlantic coast that had come under
his observation, picturing them in the most
complimentary stvle.
"The Burnside Expedition and the Ninth Army
Corps"
This sentiment was assigned to General Parke,
but he declined the honor Of speaking at length.
He hoped that the same feeling that prevailed
among the members of the society would per-
wade all other organizations that had their origin
in the field.
"The Cavalry"
Gen. Pleasanton represented the cavalry, and
made pleasant speech in response to a call.
teers who preferred the musket to the broom
stick" Rev. j. NJ. Manning, of Boston, spoke
of the dead The memory OF Gen. Reno was
proposed by Gen. King, and Gen. Benham re-
sponded for the engineers.
The national convention of the Grand Army
of the Republic held its final session to-day
The recommendations and suggestions in the
speech of the commander in chief were dis
a1 NJ r[o,o I
TEN was virtually abolished. The ritual was
somewhat changed, and the forms of reports
Simplhed. The suggestions of open session of
the national encampment failed of passage.
The election OF officers being assigned as the
first business at the afternoon session. Gen. Lip
pincott, of Illinois, addressed the convention as
follows:
''In behalf Of the department of Illinois,
place in nomination for grand commander OF
the Army of the Republic, Gen. Burnside of
Rhode Island. | wish there were more from
that department to vote with us who are here,
for know that among the names of our order
not one is more honOred by the 100000 living
veteran soldiers of Illinois Ihan that of Am
brose E. Burnside"
The nomination was received with general ac-
claim, and motion was made to elect by a eliza
Uoce vote, which was carried. Gen. Burnside
was then unanimously elected, amid great en-
thusiasm. Gen. Logan privately expressed
himself heartily in accord with the choice Of the
convention. A committee was appointed TO
wait upon the general and inform him of his
election, who performed their duty at once and
soon entered the hall with Gen. Burnside under
their escort. This was the signal for tumultu-
GUS applause, and the general was warmly greet
ed with cheer upon cheer as he advanced to the
speakers stand and in brief speech returned
thanks for the honor conferred upon him and
the warm reception he had received. He said
he felt that the election was the greatest honor
hpnn nm i'm ffot.
his address he withdrew to attend the reunion
at the fremont house.
The remaining offices were filed by the choice
of the following comrades: Senior Vice Com
mander-in-Chief, General Louis A. Wagner, of
Pennsylvania; Junior Vice Commander-in-
Chief, Col. James F. Coy, of California; Sur
geon-in-Chief, DR.. Samuel A. Greene, of Bos-
ton; Chaplain, Rev. Mr.. Earnshaw, of Ohio
The convention then adjourned to meet in Cleve-
land, OHIO, next year. General Hooker is ex-
pected to return on Saturday, and receive his
veteran comrades publicly at the rooms of the
first Massachusetts regiment association.
The Massachusetts commandery of the milf
tary order of the Loyal Legion held an informal
reception at the Parker house tonight in
honor of the members of fhe order present in
Boston from other states. The parlors of the
hotel were thronged with distinguished officers,
who embraced the opportunity to renew old
army associations, and conversation, music and
feasting were the order of the evening. Among
the guests were Generals Hooker, Meade, Fos-
ter, Benham, Burnside, Humphreys, Pleasan-
ton, Wainwright, Fairchild, Underwood, Griffin.
Bartlett, Sprague, Hunting, Hawley, Cogswel.
Slocum, Owen, Richmond, Baxter, Pratt, Hart,
rant, Fitzpatrick, Jackson, Walcott, Greene,
Admiral Thacher, Colonies S. B. w. Mitchell
Rockafellar, VIM. Grey and others to the num-
Der of three hundred and more. Gen. Deyeps.
the chief of the commandery, welcomed all in a
brief address. The proceedings were informal
and the sociality was continued until mid
night.
MAINE.
PORTLAND, May 11.--John Sawyer Of Port
land, contractor of the Great Falls and Ossipee
railroad, while passing through the woods be-
tween Cornish and ossipee, Tuesday night, at