The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1881-11-05
AROUND THE CAMPFIRE.

G. Van Houten Post. G.. A. r.. OF jersey Clty,
u. recently held Campfire at Library Hall,
and which from all accounts, was the grand event
of the season. We publish the following account
NJ tho otfair as if was recorded in the Jersey City
Io,,.,,oJ in order that comrades elsewhere may
no incited 70 90 and do likewise" The Journal
says:
The early part of the evening was used up in
reinstating a number OF veterans, IN which the
Post was assisted by visiting comrades, Iabriskie
Post with forty uniformed members, George H.
Thomas Post, with thirty members, and three
companies of Union veterans, in handsome uni
FORMS taking part in the work. Henry Wilson
Post also appeared later in the evening with
about fifty men and a drum corps, under the
command of Commander Alfred Hausbeck.
When the doors were thrown open to the guests
of the evening a gathering Of well-known cltl-
zens many of them prominent politicians, greeted
the members and congratulated them on the sue
cess of the Campfire. Three tables the length OF
the hall were spread, which in few minutes,
under the direction of a competent committee
were filled with huge dishes of baked beans'
sliced ham, bread, and hard tack, ana All hahuS
were invited to partake of the feast Inc Deans
were tOOthsOme the ham good, ana the conee
delicious The gastronomic element was under
charge of Jacky Jones' who proved himself an
excellent caterer and to whom much OF the
"flIino-inn success is due. Among those who
sat down to the table were Department Com
mander Charles H. Hought0n and staff, consist
ing of Acknowledgement r. Lloyd Roberts, c. II.
Miller, and Professor Atherton, Judge-Advocate;
General Ramsey, Chairman of the Committee OF
Arrangements; Commanders 1seley, Hausbeck,
and LOeckle, and DR.. Tibbells, of the Union
Veterans: Hon. E. F. Mcdonald, Hon. Herbert
Potts, H. Post, NJ. Mullone, G. l. Langworthy,
Justice Matthews, John 1. Van Alst, Commits
sioner Speck, Hon. D. w. Lawrence, Commits
sioner Budden Benjamin Van Ripper, Colonel
Steel, Jacob Cramer, Philip Lynch, Charles Ray,
Charles and Thomas Jordan, Colonel Robinson,
F. O. Cole J. 4. Joel, editor of the Grand -Army
Gdzette, and scores of other gentlemen well
known throughout the city All hands enjoyed
the feast, and BEANS bread, and coffee rapidly
disappeared, the hard tack being looked upon
with venerable sort Of respect which prevented
the guests from being too familiar with it. When
the appetites were stated and pipes ordered, Com
mander Fielder opened the intellectual ball by
calling upon Commander Houghton for a speech.
Mr.. Houghton's speech was brief but pointed,
and he was repeatedly cheered. A recitation was
given by Mr. E. II. Randolph, and Professor
AthertOn was called upon to make an address.
In his remarks he stated that Commander Fielder
had been appointed Inspector Of Posts 4, IL, A,
and the latter wanted to know the policy" of
such an appointment. 1t transpired that these
Posts are named respectively after General Gar
field Abraham Lincoln. and Ex-Governor {. S.
Olden. Mr.. Robert Evans Past Senior Vice
Commander. Massachusetts, a Boston printer,
made an excellent address, in which he said
We are sometimes called egotistical Perhaps
we are, but no one can tell the story for us.
People may talk as they choose, but saved
the country" Mr.. Evans paid high comph-
ment to Jerseymen for winning the vase at York
town Colonel Steele responded to the citizen
soldiery in a humorous address, after which the
Jordan Brothers gave one Of their famous songs
Hon. E. F. Mcdonald, OF Zabriskie Post, made
a rafting speech, in which he touched the vet
Grams by saying that to be one Of them q man
must bring his credentials. 4 series of stereop-
ticon views followed, in which army scenes were
shown on the canvas, mixed with some humorous
subjects, Mr.. Is. Van Reiper, OF Van Houten
Post, recited Sedgwick's gem, Seven Pines in
a manner 10 bring down the house, while Com
rade Fuller, of Washington Post, New York, gave
an interesting lecture on asl~ -omy. Mr.. F. O.
Cole, who had just been reinstated, recited
Sheridans Ride" and Charley Ray, whose fun
loving prOclivities it is utterly impossible to
suppress, sang in doleful tone a story about
some unfortunate pigs. Messrs. Potts, Budden,
and Van Alst also made brief remarks and Mr..
of the Post, sang a song which he
had written and dedicated 10 Van HouteH Post.
Messrs Barber and German also sang. 1t was
after midnight when the gathering broke up,
Not drop Of liquor was drank during the even
ing, and nothing occurred 10 mar the harmony
Of the occasion. The visiting comrades gave
every encouragement TO Van Houten Post, and
the affair will long he remembered 10 their credit