The National tribune., 1882-09-09
Special Correspondence National Tribune.

Special Correspondence National Tribune.
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 16th.-The excursion
Of the Grand Army to Santa Cruz, and the De-
partment Encampment there, last week, proved,
as anticipated, great success.
Saturday morning, August 10Th, was bright
and auspicious one for the many comrades
their families and friends, who thTonged the
vicinity of the Southern Pacific marrow gauge
railroad company's depot, preparatory TO de-
parture for the "abode of pleasure, rest, ana
recreation our lovely Santa Cruz Inc
mists which often hang over this section had
been scattered and driven away by warm sun
and luxurious breeze, and an enchanted jour-
ney lay before the excursionists.
At last the long-awaited start was made, and
Is the trains went rushing and Gathering down
through hills and dales and tunnels and trees
and mountains, and along the sandy shores of
"New Albion" and the fitful, perfume-laden
breezes came and went. the thankful excursion
lists drank deep drafts of beauty and refresh
ment. The Oakland City band discoursed fine
music at intervals throughout the entire trip
and shortly before one o'clock the train steam
ed through short tunnel and broke out like
thing of life into the very heart of Santa Cruz
where the soldiers and their friends received a
hearty welcome.
Three of the committee of entertainment of
W. H. L. Wallace Post joined the train at San
Jose, and en- route made arrangements tor
everyone. The entire committee consls- ! of
Comrades J. n. Goldsby, c. I. Sutphen, Bart
Burke, Thos. Amner, and J. J. Cunningham.
The grand parade took place at three o'clock,
at which hour the line was promptly formed
in the following order, under the command of
Department Commander w. A. Robinson: The
Oakland City band, with an imposing drum
major; Grand Escort, W. HI Wallace Post,
No. 80, J. n. Goldsby, Commander; JnO. Dele
hante Senior Vice Commander; T. i. Weeks
Junior Vice Commander. The Firing Party
of Lincoln Post, No. l, of San Francisco, in full
uniform, with colors and standard, under Cap
tain William Ireland, 90 strong. This is the
only uniformed company in the Department
and presented fine soldierly appearance
Next followed the Department Commanders
staff. consisting of J. NJ. Davis, of Oakland S.
V. c.; Z. H. Warield, of Healdsburg, J. V. C.. /;
A. w. Collins, of Oakland, Aid-de-Camp to the
National Commander of the United States );
Geo. NJ. McCarty, San Francisco, A. A. g.; C..
B. Culver, A. Q. NJ. g.; J. c. Tucker, Medical
Director; c. E. Wilson, Judge Advocate; J. L.
Cowen, of San Francisco, Assistant Inspector;
r. E. Houghton, of San Francisco, and James
Hill and Z. ]. Webster, of Oakland, Aides-de-
Camp. Then followed the Posts in order:
Lincoln, No. 1, of San Francisco, +. d. Sweetzer,
Commander, w. II. Voorhees,, Ad;'t; Geo. H.
TX mas Post, No. 2, San Francisco, w. H.
Holmes. Commander, and r. w. E. Robinson,
S.V. c.; Lyon Post, No. s, Oakland, T. II.
Allen, Commander Thomas Todd, J. V. C.; ;
Joe Hooker Post, No II, Alameda, DIR. j. G.
Tucker Commander E. d. Dunning, J. Y. c.. /;
r. L. McCook Post, No. 6, Watsonville, NJ.
Valentine, Commander, ]. Hitter, S. VIC. The
high privates from Oakland were 2. H Nc
Grew, ]. c. Coolidge, JAS Hollywood, Andrew
Hollywood, James Mote, Colonel E. NJ. Gibson,
c. A. Edmonds, Samuel P. Kelly, Harvey VIII
son, J. Winkler, and II. I. Smith.
After countermarching through the princi-
pal streets, the procession filed into headquar-
ters, where the session of the Semi-Annual
Encampment of the Department of California
was held. 1t was called to order at four o'clock
by w. A. Robinson, Department Commander,
with the following officers: J. NJ. Davis, S. v.
d. c.; J. n. Goldsby, J. V. D. c.; o. j. Lin
coin, o. D.; DR.. J. c. Tucker, NJ. D.; Geo. NJ.
McCarty, A. A. A. g.; w. H. Voorhees,, Chief
Aid; c. Mason Kinney, Chaplain; the Post De-
partment Commanders being Ed Carlson, w.
II. Aiken. S. ?. Ford, and c. Mason Kinney
After the Encampment was opened in due form,
Commander Robinson made brief address,
stating the objects of the Encampment and the
work of the Department.
Adiutant General McCarty then made a
statement as to the strength of the Order:
December 81, 1881, there were 80 Posts and
1863 members; on March 31st, Al Posts and
zoos members, showing a gain of four Posts
and 336 members In May, Oregon was segre-
gated, and a transfer made of Mead, No. 24;
Garfield, No. %; Mcpherson, No. 80, No. 81,
No. 80, No. 20, and No. IL, making seven Posts
and 315 members During this quarter, Cush-
ing Post was started in San Buenaventura
with A members, bringing the line up to the
old number of 81, and there was a gain in all
the Posts of 256 by muster and S by transfer,
making 2G4, net gain of 2S5 by muster over
the Oregon transfer, making an average in
crease of 100 per month. Last week an appli-
cation cane for the establishment of a Post at
Honolulu, which viii be granted. The report
was received and adopted.
c. Mason Kinne made report as to the
Veterans Home Association, giving a history
of the work of the directors. The labor was
great, though unappreciated. The financial
showing was Receiyed from old board, $1S,-
233; by present board, $4,000; total, $28, ,533.
The half yearly figures show: In Bank Of Cali
fornia, 7,Z77; cash on hand and due $4G1
total, $27,73S, besides $4,000 in the hands OF
outside committees. Of this, 5000, in the
Oakland Bank Of Savings, was paid over to-
day by Comrade Jerome The total expenses
had been $l,4S7, Of which only $41 had been
expended in visiting the many sites offered.
committee, consisting of five vice-com-
manders Of Posts, 10 be appointed by the De-
partment Commander, was created TO disburse
the fund created by this excursion to be called
the Department Bureau of Relief. After a
long and spirited discussion it was decided that
for the first six months the fund so created
shall be devoted to the burial of soldiers not
members Of the Order, and not for their relief
while living. After routine business, DIR.
Tucker gave his experience at the National
Encampmet at Baltimore. After remarks by
Commander Goldsby, showing how Wallace
Post had grown from % to 81 in six months
and vote Of thanks being rendered TO the
Post and the citizens of Santa Cruz for their
abundant hospitality, the Encampment ad.