River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-10-11
From the Dunn County News.
@. A. r.
Reunion of the Boys in Blue at Rock Elm.

The Grand Army reunion held at Rock
Elm, Pierce county, under the auspices
OF A. NJ Howard Post, No. -, q. A. r..
rallied goodly number of old soldiers
who could not resist the temptation of
two or three days of camp-life. Pierce,
Pepin and Dunn counties were largely
represented, and it was estimated that
there were about $50 survivors of the late
war III attendance.
The camp was located in beautiful
grove south least of the village and when
the old BOYS began to arrive on Thurs
day they found the tents pitched, rations
| and forage ready, and the familiar sutler
shop in full blast The commanding Off
Ger, L. j. George, of Menomonie, and his
efficient Adjutant, AIilteus Knight Of Du-
rand, put in an appearance the first day
and took charge of the camp. Soon the
camp-tires were blazing and the drum
corps from Mennonite and Durand, I'M
der the direction of veteran Fife Major
Jones of Mondovi, We're making the camp
rang with inspiring strains of martial music.
There was very little desire manifested
on the part of the boys to do much mill
tary duty except an occasional drill, and
about the hardest work the commanding
officer could get out of them was lOating
around the camp fires and stutiing their
''haversacks" with beans, coffee and hard
tack
Friday morning the teams came in
from all directions and the camp was
soon thronged with old soldiers, and a
| host Of yisltors-men, women and chill
dren. The weather, though pleasant, was
rather too chilly for comfort, but 1t did
not mar the enjoyment of the occasion.
In the forenoon all assembled at the
grand stand 10 witness an entertainment
by Mrs NJ. l.. Churchill and her juvenile
class. 1t was an interesting musical
drama improyised by Mrs G. for the oc-
casion. Promptly at eleven O'Clock the
class marched to camp led by the mar
tial band and assumed their pla, es on the
platform with military precision. The
class was composed of bevy of little
girls dressed in white representing indi-
vidually, each state in the Union at the
opening of the rebellion. The procession
of states were led by Miss Anna Whip,
representing Columbia, and Miss Jennie
Whipp in the character of Secession.
The states We're escorted by 4 troop of
boys prominent among whom was a lad
with drawn sword, and his face blacken-
ed, representing slavery. As the drama
opens Columbia congratulates the states
on the general prosperity of the country,
and their peaceful and happy Union.
Whereupon Secession withdraws, express
ing her discomfort and unfurling the
confederate flag call upon the dissatisfied
states to leave the Union and form con-
federacy Seven states obey the call
leave the ranks of Columbia, accompam-
ed by Sambo, and array themselves on
the side of Secession, emphasizing their
departure by singing the "Bonny Blue
Flag" Sambo then deserts the Confed-
OF Secession, and goes over to the Union
forces. Two little girls III Columbia
ranks, Jennie and Nina Haskell, then
sung Brave Boys are They in a very Of
fectiye manner Sambo again appears
upon the scene and presents to Secession
the emancipation proclamation. Then
courier brings her the result of Gettys-
burg, and another follows with dispatch
announcing the fall at Vicksburg, and
third with the news of Lees surrender at
AppomattoX. Secession then declares
their cause is lost and while bewailing
their fate, Columbia III an appropriate
song invites her erring children to come
home" The invitation Is accepted the
states return to the Union ranks and the
''cruel war is over" This brief review,
imperfect as it is, viii give the reader an
idea of the drama and its representation.
Its rendition was frequently interrupted
by the hearty applause of the spectators,
and at the close Mrs. Churchill and her
school were given three rOuslng cheers as
Il token of their appreciation.
Governor Rusk and Railroad Commits
sioner n. p Haugen arrived III camp
about noon. They were heartily welcom-
ed by everybody and the governor was
especially greeted with cordiailty by his
comrades-in-arms. A salute was fired by
4 l., a
i'll honor of the governors arrival, and
the veterans promptly fell in line to re-
ceive him After Il brief exchange of
greeting with the boys in camp, the Coy
ernor and his party were invited to the
residence of Mr. Fox where an elegant
and substantial dinner awaited them.
The exercises at the grand stand in the
afternoon began at two o'clock and con
tinued in accordance with the following
programme:
Music by Plum City Brass Band
Address by Hon. Ii. b. Warner.
Greetings song 10y comrades Of G. A. r.
Address by GOV. J. NJ. Rusk
Music by Martial Band.
Conrade X. j. Flint presided during the
exercises and introduced the speakers.
Our limited space this week compels us
to tOrego any extended mention of the
excellent addresses made by the distin-
guished speakers. Both gentlemen were
greeted with much enthusiasm by the
large audience and their speeches though
frequently interrupted by applause, were
listened to with marked attention AT
the close of the meeting the governor
held an informal reception on the plat
form and exchanged a kindly greeting
hand to hand, with all who came to him,
both young and Old.
There was no reason for complaint in
-
pie assembled for it was warm, hearty and
sincere. Everybody appeared glad 70
see him. and his frank, unasSuming man.
ner won the respect and good will of all.
1t was plain to see that the governor was
at home among the veterans, and he could
stand on the smoky side of campfire
and eat his beans and hard tack with as
much unconcern as any old soldier in the
camp.
Some whiled away the evening hours
at the camp-fires spinning yarns and sing
ing old army songs, or joined the youth
and beauty of Rock Elm i'll the may
dance at Fox's Hail.
The third and last day of the reunion
was also largely attended and the camp
was thronged with veterans and visitors.
| BY special request Mrs Churchill and
! her band of juveniles repeated in the
| forenoon to a large and appreclatiye au-
| dience the entertainment given by them
| the day before As the dinner hour APP
preached long table was built in camp
which the good people Of Rock Elm gen
erously loaded with profusion of things
for hungry mortals and invited all the
veterans and their families present to
''eat, drink and be merry" Saturday af-
ternoon brought the reunion practically
to a close and those not present, who
have taken the trouble to read what we
have said about it, will not need to be
told that it was a successful affair. The
officers and members of Howard Post
were ably assisted in their work by the
patriotic citizens of Rock Elm, and no
pains were spared to make the reunion
pleasant and enjoyable.