The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-07-12
VERMONT.

Comrade n NJ Puffer, Bennington, VT.
writes us Through the kindness Of Depart
ment Commander Valentine, / send you an ex-
tract from letter forwarded TO National Head
quarters. showing the progress Of the Order ia
this State for the past year, which speaks for
itself:
Wishing TO have the administration of General
Van Dervo0rt credited with all the gain to which
Il is entitled I viii add: That in this Department
since the Encampment at Baltimore, the gain in
Posts has been from thirty TO fifty-six with five in
process of organization. In membership the in
crease has been from less than S00to 800 The in
crease la Posts and membership has by no means
reached ITS limits Vermont was late in feeling the
influence OF the Grand Army boom, but The irisu-
ence 10 bound TO stay and place this Department in
position second TO in its per centace of YET
Grams belonging 10 the Grand Army ofthe Republic
The Commander has recently returned from
an extended trip through the northern part of
the State, and reports enthusiasm all along the
line There viii be large delegation IN at
tendance st the National Enccampment at
Denver. 1t is expected that our Post Roberts.
OF Rutland) viii attend In body. A number
of citizens will avail themselves of the cheap
rates and visit the great West as guests of this
Department. The writer had the pleasure. In
company with Department Commander yalen-
tine, Of visiting Dudley Post, No 2S, at Airing
ton, on the 9TH inst, receiving true soldierlv
greeting. In brief address the Commander
related the incident of having Second diyis-
1on, Sixth Army Corps, badge made from
dollar purchased Of the soldier who unearthed
silver coin TO the amount of $500, while look
1ns Tor nails, In an old chimney place near
Cedar Creek, it being inscribed and kept as a
souvenir of the valley campaign. Comrade
Dwlnnel, drummer Of company c. Fourth
Vermont now a member Of this Post is the
veritable man who captured the lucre.
ID. M. Blackmer, has been elected Com
mander OF Custer Post, No, ~, to ill vacancy
caused by resignation of ]. A. N Williams.
Commander Blackmer has been Adiutant of
this Post for several years and is an efficient
officer.
At some future tire had made ND nv mind
70 put in a claim for being the youngest sol
dier,-l3 years at time of enlistment-but
find younger claimant, and surrender. / do
brag, however, ON the oldest member of the G.
a ks who is q member of our Post, the Hon
a. X. Morgan, eiglty-four years of age.
Commander Valentine has Just issued a cir
cniar announcing that the fare TO Denver and
return from this Department VIII be So.
Department Commander A. B. Valentine
Y. y. kinsman, A. A. G.-has issued General
Dsfers, No. z, in regard TO r. II. rates to the
Dxver Encampment. With close connections
comrades leaving the State Thursday morning.
July l9, would reach Denver Monday morning
July 70. The low-rate tickets viii be good from
July 10 TO August 5. There is no reason TO expect
UhAtihlHS lnstIl taS 1nDlnabed In the circular of
june Isl that the X. r. fare will be about fifty
dollars TO and from Denver. Meals in dining
room cars viii be fifty cents each, aid berths ia
sleeping cars extra. Comrades who intend
making the trip are requested TO notify Depart-
fnent headquarters at their earliest convent
ence. Probably the members Of one Post OF
the Department viii so as Post, aud the Com
mander would be pleased 10 receive notice that
more Posts have like intentions.
The programme for the Fourth, at Water
bury, was partially frustrated by rain. Water
bury, being central point, six or seven G. r.
Posts were 10 unite IN a basket picnic TO cele-
brate the Fourth. Owing to tie rain. only
Brooks Post, Of Montpelier, commanded by
Gonrade HcerE, several members Of Stowe
Post and q few from Waitslield Post, reportea
Tho Center co.nct band, Pest Brooks drum
corHs, and Post Dillingham; drum corps. dis
coursed music for the day. II tie afternoon a
Camp fire was held in Hotel Hall, baseball
playing ia The park, and in~the evening the
best display Of fireworks ever witnessed In
Waterbury.
Cornrade John d. Atwood, Chelsea. VI. writes
Us that the officers Of the Orange County Vet
eran Association viii meet at Chelsea on the
I4th Just, to make arran gements for the Vet
eran Reunion this coming fall Reunions have
been held FOR the last five years.