The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-26
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.

CLOSE OF THE sEssION-ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
Tho second days session OF the Encampmont Of the
Grand Army OF the Republic, Department of New
York, commenced at half past ten O'Clock A. NJ yes.
tcrdsy IN Irving Hall, Commander James Tanner pre-
siding Tho Board OF Trustees of tho Soldiers Home
at Bath, filled by the election OF William Rumsey,
of Bath, vice E. b. Gerc, OF Owego, resigned; LOUIS
SchlampG OF New York, Benjamin +. Finley,
term expired, and A. H. Nash OF Geneva, reelected.
Tho resolution Of thanks rendered by the Encamp-
mcnt held at Yonkers in July. 1876, TO Commissioner
Thomas s. Brennan for kntress 10 old soldiers whis
alive and tor funerals when dead, and to William
Bath was selected as the scene Of tho semi.
annual EEcampment, which.will tako place IN July.
The laying OF the corner stone OF the Soldiers Home
will constitute the feature OF tho Encampment
The invitation OF tho citizcns OF Utica to hold the
next annual Encanpment, IN January, 1873, at that
place, accepted. The election Of officers was then
entered INTO, the contest being warm aud exciting,
though friendly one, and resulting as folows:-Com.
mander Consan,In Niszoche. Of New YORK junior
Vice Commander. X. II. Mccormick, Of Albany; Chap
lam, J. H. Barnard Of Norwich; Medical Director,
Council OF Admin istralion- Benjamin +. Finley, OF
New York; +. b. Gere, of Geneva; John X. percy,
Seneca Falls. Delegates to National Eucampment--
J. j.. Langbein, OF New York. Delegate nc Large;
New York; =. |. Cole. OF Troy; II. H. Rockwell, Of
Elmira, and f. II. Shepard, Of Ulica Allernatcs-J.
A. Lewis, f. J. Loom's, Joseph Forbes, +. W. Bruen
ing lansin, j. l. Pailey and j. A. joel
The Encampment then passed a resolution instruct
ing ne Board OF Trustees to send circular to overy
pastor in tho State. irrespective OF creed requesting
them all on one stated Sabbath to preach u sermon
and take up collection for the Soldiers Home, and
then adjourned 10 meet again at Bath In July.
THE BANQUET.
The last operation OF the Departmental Commandery
Grand Army oil the Republic, was fine flank move
ment last night round tho tables and dishes at Irving
Hail. Commander Turner, being aware that his corps
would muster Id force ordered covers for 400 men,
nearly oil OF which were called into service by
many veterans OF the late war; The hall was taste
fully decorated with abundant supply Of bunting;
and at the angles Of tho ROOM as well as IN front OF
the band m the gallery, we'll battle flags
displayed. Among the distinguished gentlemen
present wero Major General D. \. Sickes. Generals H.
A. Barnum, H. T. Kctchum, G. X Grauam, Rogers, OF
Buffalo; Colonel James NJ. Turner; Commissioners
Brennan Bay and Cox. OF the Board of Charities and
Correction and a large representation OF other dis.
tingusncd comrades and guests. Letters OF apology
were read from President U. - Grant, Generals W. T.
sherman, Winfield Scott Hancock Stewart L. Wood
ford, Horace Binncy, Commander Sergeant OF tho
Massachusetts, Department g. A. r.. HIS Honor Mayor
Ely, and Mayor Schroeder OF Brooklyn.
After an excellent rcpast had been amply bonorod
General Barnuin, who was introduced "toast mas
ter" Tor the evening, made some happy introductory
ARM so social and bcacwocn. 10
includes, he said, all crccds, makes no distinction
the score of birth or color and Is for the most part
made up OF men who have spcnt some Of the best
years OF their lives IN dc cnco OF tho linton and con-
stnution
The principal toasts offered and responded TO werc:
"Our Country" General sickcs; 'Grand Army OF the
Republic, /" Commander Joseph Turner; ''The Empire
the band
"F,nance," j. +. Henry; '.Army and Navy."E L.
Cole; "The Press" Colonel NJ. Turner; ''Ncw York
Charities" Commissioner Brennan.
Tho namo OF General Grant received with per.
feet tempest Of the widest applause General Scklcs
also chccred to the echo he by the aid OF
crutch and responded TO the first of tho night
In the course Of his address. which was repeatedly
Interrupted by voclfcrous applause, he said that
the of national politics which last November
has existed In these United states would puzzle the
best among European statesmen and tire the patience
of those peoples when rebellion assailed u.s." said
he threatened the nations life European coul-
dcncc In permanence as Power shaken 10 It's
foundation. But we weathcrcd the storm In those
days and will now do II again" (Chccrs.)
The festivities were continued up 20 very late, or
rather early hour, when retreat sounded and the
comrades broke ranks, amid the warmcs protcstatons
Vt friendship and fidelity, TO take leave OF each other
far another year.