Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-02-06
Grand Army OF the Republic.

The annual encampment Of the Department Of
Vermont, Grand Army Of the Republic, was held
Mt Burlington on Wednesday Of last week Some
sixty delegates and members were in attendance
Commander Peck delivered an able and interest
ing address to the comrades present. calling at
tention to the aims and purposes Of the order, and
urging upon all q continuance Of the grand work
for which the order was founded. The address
was received with hearty applause.
The report Of the assistant acknowledgement
showed that eight new posts had been mustered
and recognized during the past year, at Brandon
Bennington, North Troy, Bristol, North Pownal
Chelsea, Cambridge and Stowe. The total gain
in membership during the year was three hun
bred and fifty, and net gain one hundred and
nineteen members. The roll Of the order num-
beers one thousand and eighty members. There
is balance Of one hundred and ninety-fve dol
lars in the treasury
report was made in favor Of the establish
ment Of n Soldiers Home in this state, and the
comrades were urged to give the matter their
serious consideration, that steps for the founding
Of such an institution may be taken as soon NJ
possible Comrades Thomas, Veazey, Barstow,
Farnham and Peck were appointed committee
to bring the subject before the next Legislature
In compliance with request from the national
headquarters, the subject Of modification Of the
pension laws Of the United States was taken up.
The proposed act in addition to and in amend
ment Of the existing law was read, and the sub
iect was referred TO committee consisting OF
Comrades j. II. Gouldng, j. L. Barstow and
Stephen Thomas
In the evening campfire was held and Grand
Army Hall was filled with comrades, at this
gathering. Post Commander General w. W.
Henry presided and called up In turn champion
story-tellers of the various regiments Every
thing was informal and oif-hand, and army yarns
"reminiscences, and jokes, with an occasional in
terlude Of singing filled the hours till nine clock
when supper was announced This was spread in
the hall Of the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton, on the floor below. Long tables Of clean
pine boards filed the room, furnished with tin
plates and cups, and laden with pans Of bareback
cold pork and beans, cold meats. pickles. etc
Steaming complexities supplied hot coffee. All
fell TO with hearty RELISH and all voted the hard
tack supper" u distinguished success. Returning
10 the hall above, another hour or two was spent
in song and story.
Messages Of encouragement were received from
Hon George +. Edmunds and Hon. W. G. Veazey
The following officers were elected and installed
for the coming year: Department Commander
Colonel ] II. Goulding of Rutland Senior Vice
Commander, Comrade A. J. Moves of Benning-
ton; Junior Vice-C Commander, Comrade X. j. Coffey
of Montpelier; Chaplain. Comrade D. c. Roberts
Of Brandon; Medical Director S. Worcester, NJ.
D., of Burlington; Council Of Administration
General p. 7. Pitkin Of Montpelier, Captain Will
lard Harrington Of s.. Adams, Major Elijah
Wales Of Brattleboro. CAPTAIN W. Holden, ID, OF
Arlington, Captain A. ]. Pike Of Readsboro; Repre-
senative-at-large to National Encanpment, Ma
ior Elijah Wales Alternate Colonel George w
Hooker of Brattleboro; Delegate to National En-
campment, General J. l. Barstow of Burlington
Alternate, Comrade Willard Harrington.