Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-15
Grand Army Of the Republic.

The annual encampment Of this ORDER depart
ment Of Vermont, assembled at the Grand Army
hall In Brattleboro, last Thursday afternoon,
George W. Hooker, department commander, pre-
siding. Never on similar occasions has there
been 80 large an attendance, and nearly every
post was represented. Among tho visiting COM
rades were COMMANDMENT Chief George s. Mer-
rill OF Lawrence Massachusetts, Chaplain-in-
Chief ]. F. Lowering Of Worcester Massachusetts,,
and s. p Corliss. past department commander Of
New York. After routine business a recess was
taken till nine o'clock Friday morning
Abriant campfire was enjoyed in the evening
at the town hall, whittier the veterans, preceded
by the Brattleboro band, marched. The address
was delivered by Chaplain-in-C Chief Lowering, the
subject being the Sacrifice OF the Soldiers" It
was most eloquent appeal for full recognition
OF the patriotism Of the soldiers of the late war
~ shown by their sacrifices therein and by their
deliberate personal devotion 10 the service OF
their country, illustrated by pointed anecdotes
and thrilling and pathetic sketches of individual
experience. lie also exhibited some relics-onea
bullet taken from soldier after passing COM
petely through his body, and another the blood
stained papers from wounded mans pocket.
and held the audience with rare power to the end
OF his somewhat lengthy address. He was fol-
lowed by Governor Farnham, General George S.
Merrill and Past Department Commander Corliss,
in eloquent and feeling speeches.
Upon the conclusion Of the camp fire the grand
banquet took place at the Brooks House.
Commander Hooker acted as toast-master and
announced as the first: 1.-THE President Of the
United States" Responded to by Colonel Kit
fridge Haskins Of Bratteboro, United States dis
trct attorney, who made fine speech, glowing
with illusions to Washington, Lincoln Grant and
Garfield as opponents of liberty and equality.
Captain Alexander, white-haired old veteran
to whom Colonel Hooker alluded as one OF the old
New Hampshire Lockwood militia, was called
upon and brought down the house by simply say
ing: =" don't know much, but do know enough
not to speak in such a crowd as this
1.-THE Orator OF the Evening" was responded
to by Chaplain Lowering In his usual effective
way
" The Press" brought out Commander-in. Chief
Merrill, who is an editor in Lawrence, and who
made some statements concerning the growth Of
the order for the information OF the comrades
present. asserting that the membership in Yer
mont had doubled during the past two years, and
that during 1881 some twenty-four thousand
members were added to the order throughout the
country.
b. d. Harris OF Bratteboro was called upon as
being one of "vermont's War Legislators and
responded thereto with good effect
Comrade Corliss of New York being introduced
alluded to the state OF the order in his depart
ment, showing its growth from one hundred
| thirty 70 tmn al; xtv
gain in members Of nine thousand, with treas.
ury Of over $1,000 and a soldiers home costing
| $50, 000-the work Of the Grand Army.
Governor Farnham responded to "The State Of
Vermont"
The encampment reassembled at nine O'Clock
Friday morning and the usual routine business
was transacted. The reports showed gain OF
four posts and two hundred fifty-seven members
during the past year. and there is about $500 in
the treasury The following officers were then
elected for the ensuing year, Comrade Hooker
declining unanimous reelection; Commander,
| A. b. Valentine Of Bennington; senior vice-com-
mander, L. d. Savage of Watsield junior vice
| commander, W II. Gilmore of Bradford medi.
cal director, + II. Pettengill OF Saxtons River
chaplain, J. X. Richardson of Rutland; council Of
administration, Warren Gibbs of Burlington, N
| 5, Capen Of Brandon, NJ. J. Horton Of Poutney
c. c. Kinsman Of Rutland and C. L. Graves OF
Bennington representativeat-large to nationa
encampment, George II. Bigelow of Burlington
additional representative to the same, c. D. Gate,
| OF Cambridge; alternates, X. J. Coffey Of Rich
mond and Barney Cannon of Bellows Falls.
The officers-elect responded to repeated call,
with feeling remarks. The customary resolution,
of thanks to the railroads for fare one way, t,
attending comrades and to the local organizations
and individuals for courtesies, were passed, anC
the fourteenth annual encampment OF the de
partment OF Vermont Grand Army of the Repub
lie was declared adjourned without day
The department commander elect has appointed
the following officers Of his staff Assistant adj
tant-general, c. c. Kinsman of Rutland assistan
| qnartermaster general, W. L. Groenleaf OF Win
ooski; department inspector, W. r. Dunton o
Dorset. Additional staff officers will be an
nounced in general orders.