The National tribune., 1883-02-08
ILLINOIS,.

The seventeenth annual Encampment of the
Department of Illinois and Arkansas convened
at Danville on the 3lst ult. About 1880
strangers, chiefly comrades of the Grand Army,
were attracted TO the city by the Encampment.
KeneSaw Post, No -, of Danville escorted the
delegates to the court house, where the Mayor
-Comrade l.. T. Dickson, of kenesaw POST
delivered the address of welcome. He said:
In behalf of the people of this city, it is a great
pleasure to TO say that any man who put his
body in the gap between his country and his coun-
tTy's enemies will be forever welcome in Danville.
The people of this city most cordially extend their
hospitality to you. You made Wiling sacrifice OF
your families, your homes, your friends, your
health and your lives IF necessary that might
have q free and united country, and the stars and
stripes do not this day float a community of
men and women who have better appreciation of
your sacrifices than we have.
This city and county gave many brave sons to go
with you to fight for our country. Some came back
in good health some with one arm, some with one
leg. and some with painful wounds from which they
must suffer all the days of their lives.
need not tell you that great many never came
back, but their names are sacredly held in perpet-
ual remembrance.
hold that the Government is fully justified in
providing for its wounded and crippled soldiers
who lost their ability stand equal terms with
citizens who did not engage in the conflict OF battle
and who have the right to expect that grateful
country will not see them or their families suffer
for the want OF bread to eat or raiment to wear.
stlu more careful inquiry would no doubt, reveal
the fact that many worthy soldiers are entitled to
pensions who have not yet received them.
Comrades you are here to-day To rejoice together
that your country was saved from destruction.
You are here TO rejoice that your country was not
broken up in number of small and contentious
States, divided in interest and mixed in nothing
but suspicion and diStruSt of each other. You are
here TO rejoice that our flag, does not float over
human slave. You are here 10 rejoice that in the
arts sciences and inventions free schools, free
ligion and love of freedom, country leads every
nation on tine face of the earth. You here to
rejoice that after nearly twenty years SO many of
you are spared to meet and talk over old battle
scenes | am satisfied that you are not here to
IOlce over PROSTATE enemy.
Comrades will only occupy the time necessary
TO perform the pleasant duty imposed upOn me by
lay fellow citizens rs Mayor OF the city, oil giving
a most hearty and sincere welcome TO these noble
men of the Army of the Republic l trust that dur
ing your stay i'll Danville you will feel that YOU are
welcome guests, and that you may return TO your
homes bearing pleasant memories OF your visit
here.
Department Commander Thomas G. Lawler
made becoming reply in behalf of the Grand
Army. The business of the session was then
begun and the various reports were submitted
and acted upon. The annual report Of Assist
ant Adjutant General j. i. Bennett showed
that the number Of members in good standing
IN the State of Illinois is 6,524; the net gain
during the year is 1904; the total loss being
$50 members. OF the Posts on the roll last
year, AeVlns Post No. l, Rockford, shows the
largest gain, being 102. Lyon Post, No. 9, Of
Chicago, follows closely, with a net gain Of SIS.
OF the Posts organized this year, the largest is
No. 14l, showing a membership of l21 at the
close Of the fourth quarter, lSS2. At the date
of the EncampmenU last year there We're sew
enty Posts in good standing IN the Department.
Since that time siXty-tWO Posts have been Or
ganiZed. One Post has surrendered its charter
lNo. 90, one Post has been dropped No. So,
and two Posts have been suspended (Nos. 13O
and 1872, leaving in good standing at the pres
ent time l2S Posts. Posts organized during the
past year are: Nos 6, ID, 80, and l23 to lol, in
h.,
course in regard to the Fitz-JOhn Porter case
was fully Endorsed. At the second days session
Col :. 4. Harper, of ElmWOOd, Past Commander
Of Dan McCOOk Post No. %, was elected DEPART
ment Commander Colonel Harper was mem
Der Of Gen. Dan McCoUk's regiment the Fifty
second Ohio, which was one Of the most loyal
and gallant that went to the front III the rebel
lion, it participating in many hard-fought bat
ties and enjoying the reputation of being see
ond to none IN the service for bravery and
strict attention 10 discipline. COmrade l. s.
Taylor, OF W. II. q. Wallace Post, No %, Con
tralia, Illinois, was chosen as Senior Vice Com
mander. Col. L. L. Dickson. mayor OF Dan
Vile, was elected Junior Vice Commander.
Col. Dickson was a member of company ID,
Sixty-fourth Ohio, from Marion county, enter
ing as private. Comrade J.. ). Lambert NJ
D., of Galesburg was elected Medical Director.
Samuel Fallows, d. D., Post y, Chicago, was
elected Chaplain.
20, Chicago; u. c. Mills, Post III, Robinson:
lie. Welsh, Post -, Chicago; Emanuel Slower
Post 90, Lanark; i. III. CheuoWeth, Post >, Chi
cago.
Delegates TO the National Encampment-P
W Wilcox, Post 105, Mendoza; II. II. Thomas
Post 5, and ". 5. kaufman, Post q, Chicago;
s. ID. Atkins, Post 9, FrccpOrt; Eli BOWyer
Post %, Olney; 5. ID. Peterbaugh, Post s., Pco-
ria; Frank Cendtnuiu, Post lis, Morrison.
Alternately EenabIe, Post 103 Macomb; c.
r. l.. Koch, Chicago; w. II. Bates, Post III,
Pellin; David 3. Kenyon. Post 20, and D. /.
Carmichal, Post Z, Chicago; T. G. Daggett,
Monmouth; T. A. Boyd, Post 121 Lewiston.
The Encampment then adjourned 10 take
part in the parade, which was one of the most
imposing paradeS ever exhibited III Danville
The procession was in command Of Col. l.. T.
Dickson, assisted by numerous aides. 1t
moved through the principal streets Of the city,
and was the admiration of thousands of sDec-
tatOrS who had gathered from near and far to
witness it. The following was the order Of
procession: PlatOOns Of Police; Major Nevins's
Band; Officers Grand Encampment of the State
of Illinois in carriages; Kenesaw Post, No. =,
q. A. r., all visiting Posts and veteran COM
rddes; Catholic Knights Of America and Drum
Corps Company Ii, Eighth regiment, l. \. Co.
Paris; Company j, Eighth regiment, /. n. G..
Champaign; Company q, Eighth regiment, l.
n. c., Danyille; Battery 4, Eighth regiment
/. y. o., DauyilIe; Fire Department. The
kncampnent closed with reception and ball
at night in Battery A Aunory. The next En-
campment viii be held al Decatur.
Comrade o. S. Pratt, Princevilte, H., writes
us that Captain French Post, No. 49, Of that
place had public installation Of officers on the
18th ult. The following officers were installed
by Comrade Burch, Of Dan NcCo0k Post Elm
wood, H.: Commander, J. q. Cotbett: 81. C., Z.
Coburn J.V C., L. Keller; o. d., :. A. Parker
q. NJ. A. Simmons; Adj't A. G. Motif Chap
lain, J. f. Carman; Surg, John Harrington !;
o. G., VIM. +. Stewart; q. NJ S., O. s. Pratt;
$. M, d. w. Potts. After the installation