The National tribune., 1882-05-20
MASSACHUSETTS Dept NOTES.

Special Correspondence National Tribune.
WEsTFIcLD, MASS, May 13.-A rol!sing
Campfire was held under the auspices of
Moses Ellis Eneampment, Post LII, G. A R., in
the Town Hall last Thursday evening which
attracted large audience of ladies and centle-
men. The platform was occupied by nearly
dozen Of the officers and comrades of the G.. A.
K. The exercises opened with prayer by
Chaplain BabcOck, followed by :. patriotic song
from the malo quartettc, Under the direction of
VIM. Russell Smith. Commander Wm. 7.
Guild, in very appropriate address, intro
duced as speaker of the evening Senior Vice
Department Commander Wm. Hart, of Post 80,
Chelsea, Mass, who delivered an eloquent and
interesting address in behalf Of the Grand
Army Of the Republic Comrado Hart said
that it was extremely gratifying to see the
deep interest manifested throughout the de-
partment i'll the right direction. During the
past year a number of new Posts had been
thoroughly organized and uniformed besides
there had been a general increase of member
ship of nearly all the Posts throughout the
Department. The order is now 10000 strong
and by the commencement of another year the
way recruiting is going on, will be much
stronger. One Of the grandest and most noble
OF charitable objects that had their establish
ment the past year was that of the Soldiers
Home, Chelsea, Mass, through the aid of the
patriotic citizens and tho Grand Army of the
Republic Comrade Hart was followed by
Comrades VIM. z. Crosse of Brookline, and
Samuel Cushing Of Dorchester, members Of the
staff, Lewis Of Brattleboro, Vt, and Perry of
oil r-bO
dresses. The quartotte then gave one of its
favorite war songs" The Soldiers Call and
Return after which Commander Guild in
tIOduced to the audience Veteran Field, of
Post CO. franklin, thrce-y years member of the
old Thirty-Ninth Massachusetts Regiment.
Comrade Field is 81 years Of age being the
Oldest member Of the Grand Army in the
United States. The old Wkitc-haired veteran
was given three rousng cheers and tiger by
the boys. At the close OF the exercises in this !
hall the boys assembled IN the Excelsior Hook
and Ladder Hall of the Mulfeid fire depart
ment, where they sat down to a bountiful col
latiOn of Boston baked BEANS hot coffee, etc /
After the supper Captain p. c. Grover passed |
round the hat containing the pipes of peace |.
and fine cut, which were quickly got ready for |
action, and at the command " load and fire at |
will" every cOmrade did his level best Story !
telling then commenced, and was kept up |
without intcrmission until nearly u o'clock. !
Comrade Lewis recited very affecting story of |
Little Millard Rollins, drummer boy of Yer !
mont regiment, which brought tears to the |
eyes of many of the boys He then Offset it by |
telling canal-boat incident, which set the |
boys in an uproar of laughter, winning the |
medal as champion story teller Speeches
were made by Senior Vice-CommanAer Hart !
Comrades Crosse of Broollline, and Cushing of
Dorchester and Commander Eldridge of Hyde
Park. The following Posts were represented:
Post 121, Hyde Park: Post 81, Canton; Post 90,
Post 80, Foxboro. and delegations
from Sharon and Dover. Commander George
II. Patch and staff of the Department are alive
to the interest of the Grand Army in the Old
Bay State which is in very fourishing con-