The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-11-22
THE GRAND ARMY.
Affairs al National HeadQuarters---
Latest News from the Departments.
ee!al corresronaenoe National TrIbune.


ment. To Superintendent Wilson more than
all others does the credit Of forming and
bringing the Gettysburg cemetery 10 its pres
stnt state OF perfection belong. He it is who,
wear after year, has planted the flowers, trim
med the trees rolled the walks and kept in
such beautiful condition the velvety grass that
grows on the long rows Of graves that he
helped to form. Kind and courteous is his
manner to al, whether Of high or low degree;
untiring il his efforts TO render the fullest
service whenever called upon by those who,
through affection for loved ones resting there,
or from q spirit of interest in all that pertains
to our fallen brave, he has endeared himself TO
al with whom he has come In contact, and his
name has become household word in many
home that yet mourns for one who rests be-
meath his loving care. Himself crippled sol
der having received s. wound in the right
hand at the battle at Monocacy, July 9, 1864,
which has greatly impaired its use he has, for
the past ten or twelve years. toiled on among
the remains Of many who stood shoulder ID
shoulder with him, until be has left undone
scarcely a thing that can add to the results of
the work assigned him. Strenuous efforts will
be made by the thirty thousand comrades who
compose the Department of Pennsylvania TO
have Secretary Lincoln reconsider his &C
ton The citizens Of Gettysburg too, awak-
ening to the value of the man they are
about 10 lose are circulating petitions for
viii refuse their signatures That the
efforts so made viii be speedily successful and
the order revoked is the heartfelt wish Of every
comrade from the Department Commander to
the latest recruit, who, if he does not know
the man, has heard glowing accounts Of him.
During the past week. orders have been
issued from Department Headquarters for the
muster of Post No. 1885, Prosperity. Washing
Ton county; J. NJ. II. Gordon Post No. 1876. at
Fayette City, Fayette county; Post No. 397, at
NaymaTt, Wayne county, and Lieutenant
David Zentmyer Post, No. 39S at Franklin
vile Huntingdon county. You viii remember
that my last letter stated that the Naval Post
now organizing in this city had made applica-
tion for charter and had by request, been
assigned the number 400, so that the number
399 is the only one open between i and 400,
and when that is filed il win make ninety
three Posts established in this Department
since the first Of the year, and, in the whole
400 numbers each one VIII represent Post in
good working order, there not being a single
dropped number on the roster.
Since my last report T. b. Morrison Post No.
SS7, at Stewardstown, York county, has been
mustered by Commander W. F. Eichar, Post
3, of York, the ceremony taking place on the
10th inst. C0mrade Eichar was accompanied
by the Junior Vice Commander, Officer of the
Day, Adjntant, and nine comrades OF his Post.
Upon arriving at StewardstowH they were met
byCommander A. M. Clarke, Post 277, of Delta,
York county, with number Of comrades from
that Post and Commander J. ii. Hendrix,
Chaplain Eberhardt and delegation Of comrades
from Post $40, Of Shrewsbury, York county.
Commander Clarke acted as :. Y. c., Com
xnander Hendrix as J. Y. c., Chaplain Eber-
hardt as Chaplain, and the other positions were
filed by comrades Of Post 81. The officers
installed are: Commander, Jno. K. Green; s.
v. C., Cbas. n. Emich; j. Y. C., j. III. Ander-
son; Adj't. T. A. Hersey; @. N, Nathan Car
man; Chaplain, Jeremiah Walkinger: Surg
Arthur $. Edie; 0. D., Isaac C. Reed o. G.,
EdE. w Walters; s. NJ. Vim. n. Seitz; O. NJ
s.. Jno ". Grove. The Post VIII meet on the
first and third Saturdays. The Mastering
OficeF reports: :" Post 3s7 starts under very
favorable auspices, and viii soon double its
numbers"
In lieu Of the usual muster on Thursday
might last, Post No. threw open its doors for
the entertainment OF the families and friends
OF its comrades and having taken the precau-
tion 20 issue tickets Of admission, the room was
just comfortably filed. The exercises consisted
of instrumental music by Prof Blehl and pu-
pills. vocal selections by Post No. ou2riette,
Comrade Brown Of Post No. s, Messrs. Gibson,
DifeDbach, Evans, and Aug. Blehl, Mrs. Nor
cross. Ms kemble, and Lizzie and Eva Hack
man. two little toddlers. who were loudly ap-
plauded; reading by Miss Cora CROSBY, reel
tations by Comrades Stewart, a a. g. Walker
and Snow. Of Post No. s; Messrs. Lieth and
Eerger and Master Kemble: dutch conicali-
ties by Messrs. Difenbacb and Banker, and
burEt-cork specisliies BY 8Ir DifeDbach The
programme was long, buf SO fall Of interest and
amusement as not 70 tire the audience. The
most pleasant feature Of the evening, however
was the presentation TO F. p C. Ashton Of an
elegant gold watch and chain. The presenta-
tion speech was made by Comrade r. Ameder
Bregy. assistant district attorney. and was one
81 he lie -.
has been nay pleasure 10 listen TO in a long
while, fall Of witty illusions and appropriate
references 10 the many services Of Comrade
Ashton. The latter, having had no previous
animation OF what was IN store for him. was
completely surprised and could scarcely ex-
press his thanks. The inner case Of the watch
contains the following in5cTs ption: Presented
70 II. 7. Ashton, =. p. C., Post No 6, G. A. r.
in appreciation Of his services as chairman Of
Campfire committee by his friends November
IS. 1883"
The funeral Of Co,nrade George w. Durell
took place al Reading, On Tuesday last, and Was
largely attended by his late comrades Of Pos
No rs, Masonic and Odd Fellows Lodges and
many prominent citizens, also Durells battery
which he commanded and made so famou.
during the war, the RinggOid battery, and en-
ployees Of the Reading Railroad Large crowds
tiled the streets IN front Of the home anxious
70 take ono more last look ~ one who was wei
ana idFCraDiy known 10 ali. At the head @
the colin was design IN wax, representing :
cannon with broken wheel, cannon balls. and
saber, the whole surrounded By wreath O.
laurel leaves. This beautiful tribute was Of
fered BY Mclean Post, No. I8. There were ais,
other tokens from friends and the employees o.
the paintshop Of the Reading Railroad. O
which OOmrade Durell was foreman GOVERN,
the coffin was the old flag carried by Durelll
battery during the war. Services were held II
the First Baptist church and the interment Ii
Charles Evans Cemetery. A. A G. Thomas J
Stewart, Department Chaplain Jno. W. Savers
and L. i. {. John II. Missimer, Of the Council
OF Administration, were present and marched
with Post No. is. AT the church, Chaplain
bayers made an address, in which he referrea
IN eloquent terms 10 the long friendship tina
had existed between himself and Conrad
DUrel and TO the high esteem in which be wa
held ia the community in which he had live
and died.
EoTEx
General WEIGH Post No. IIs, Columbia. Pa
wall dedicate new hall on the 9th inst, and la
tnvitec al the Posts from Lancaster, Mannheim
WrightSville, York, Middletown, and Harri.
burg to attend. Invitations TO be present hay
also been extended 10 Commander-in-Ch Chic
Beath, Adjutant-Gcneral Nanderslice, Depar
ment Commander Osborne and staff, and oths
prominent Grand Army men, all of whom wi
probably De there. 4 grand bean bake, Cant
Ire and general entertainment win be give
The Post does not own the new hall, but Il,
taken five years lease Of it. with the priyilet
Of extending il 70 ten, and has furnished