The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1884-07-31
THE GRAND Army.

Annual Meeting OF the Grand Army Of tn,
Republic at 11inneapolis-An Immeus.
Gathering Of Veterans and citixsns.
The Annual Meeting of the Grand Army q
the Republic at Minneapolis was grand af-
fair, as regards attendance Of Veterans from
nearly all the Northern States, the ceremonies
attending the meeting, the associations con-
nected with the occasion, and the ample pro-
visions for sheltering and otherwise entertain
ing the army. The old fair ground in the
southern part of the city was converted into a
camp, the various buildings converted into
lodging houses, and the grounds dotted with
thousands of tents while adjoining were feat
eating houses The great mass of veterans
were here accommodated while thousands
found shelter and food in various parts
of the city. Viewed from the
Amphitheatre or grand stand on the fair
grounds, presenteda picture to be always re-
membered. Six hundred and fifty tents almost
completely filled up the space inciosed by the
track, racewhile their snow white walls and wav-
ing banners make pleasant picture upon the
background of the plain. Here and there silken
banner of elegant design fioated from the tents,
and marked the headquarters of state dele
cation. In the town headquarters were estab-
hshed in hotels for the various states, which
were continually thronged by citizens and soldi-
ers In search of fields and former comrades
As the streets and buildings were decorated in
the most elaborate and tasteful manner.
There were many arrivals on Sunday, and on
Sunday night and Monday, trains were con-
stantly coming in from all quarters. Bands of
music were playing in every direction, and
veterans marching to their respective quarters,
while distinguished officers were taken in
charge by citizens who were proud to enter
tain them At noon on Tuesday those who had
come in, assembled at the grand amphitheatre
to witness the welcoming ceremonies The
stand was filled with the officers of the National
Encampment, Minnesota Department, local
posts, and with the speakers. The latter were
Commander chief Beath, Department Com
mander Babb, Gov Hubbard and Mayor Pills
bury. There was also upon the stand Gov. J,
M. Rusk, of Wisconsin, and body guard con-
sisting of six one-armed and six one-legged
veterans, Gov. Lucius Fairchild, of Wiscon-
SIN, Gen. Paul Nandeyoort, post commander,
Senior Vice Commander Warner, of Missouri,
Gen. Chas. Grosvenor of Ohio, Gen. John H.
Gibson, of Ohio, and others. Governor Lucius
+. Hubbard, made a welcoming address ON be-
half OF Minnesota, and commander in-chief
Gen Beath responded Mayor Pilsbury of
Minneapolis gave the city,s welcome, and q
response was made by Senior Commander
Warner, of Missouri. Other speeches and res
ponses were also made, squads and battalions
of blue coated men were landed in the city at
almost every hour during Monday night The
Tuesday morning trains came similarly loaded
the noon trains resembled the others that had
preceded them, and troop after troop arrived
by the trains that came as the day waned. In
the streets of the city the scenes of the pre-
cedlng day were re-enacted, save that the thor
oughfares were more crowded and the number
of Grand Army boys had been increased from
probably 10000 to 10000. Wisconsin came up
with Gov. Rusk and ex-Gov Lucius Fairchild,
Gen. Tom Allen Gen. Ross of Washington lac
companied by six veterans without arms and
SIX with one leg gone) Gen. VIM. Teeumsch
Sherman eluded the boys" who were in wait
for him and found his way to the
head quarters of the State of Miss ouri. where
hundreds called to see him Their badges re-
called the remotest of states, from the Atlantic
to the Pacific, and from the international bound
airy to the Gulf-the far away frontiers being
consplcuously well represented. At late hour
Gen. Logan, Grand Commander. Gen. Negley
and other noted officers arrived A large num-
Der of citizens surrounded Gen. Logans car
rage and filled the air with cheers, which
were taken up and repeated by tho veterans ut
the West hotel and in the vicinity Some of
the latter, amid cries of There is Black Jack,
and na*ural as Gfei' added the suggestion,
Lets carry him into the housed" and a move
ment was made with that object in view, but
the carriage started of toward the residence of
Gen. Washburn, Generals Logan and Negley
being his guests. In the evening of Tuesday
there was camp fire. on the Fair grounds,
attended by a vast crowd. The speakers were
little belated, but in due time Gen. Logan was
introduced and made a patriotic speech. He
was followed by ex-Gov Lucius Fairchild of
Wisconsin, Gen. Warne. and others. After the
speeches many retired to their COTS but others
did not, and there was Emusic in the air. until
nearly morning
On Wednesday, the day of the grand process
sion, 1t Is estimated there were &c., 900 strang-
ers in Minneapolis. The parade itself with
its 800 in line gave the first index to the num-
Der of old soldiers in the city. The roster Of
many of the departments demonstrate that on
ly about one-half of the entire number in at
tendance upon the reunion participated in the
parade, many being physically unable to stand
the heat and the long march. The bands more
than twenty IN number, not including the drum
corps, seemed to enter into the zest of the
thing. The blare of their trumpets was not
confined to the marching Serenades and par
AIDES upon their individual account were fire.
quent Crowds gathered long before eve1
the advance guard of the procession had
begun to form Many house top was
crowded with people anxious to witness
the grand spectacle, and the brilliancy
of the decorations of the buildings was
enhanced by their windows which were
crowded with visions of beautiful faces, in
settings of nebulous lace and creamy muslin.
The enthusiasm rose and fell as the waters of
the sea- The section that Logan was in could
be followed about the city by the thunders and
shouting that followed it everywhere The old
Minnesota battle flags were another feature
that set the crowd roaring, likewise the rem
nant of the First Minnesota volunteers. Many
Of those that walked have wooden legs many
of them are walking lead mines and not few
of them were shot full of holes. Such con-
dlhops are not salubrious, and, in Difference to
the decrepitude of a large number of the vet
Grams, the line of march was confined to three
miles, this even being too much for some of
them On the sidewalks, then, of this con-
tracted line were compressed the hordes al
ready spoken of, the result being squeeze, q
Jam, and pressure, which only steam guage
Of the highest test could measure At suit
able point, Gen. Logan, Gen. Sherman, and
other notables took a position and reviewed the
column as 1t marched The procession was
one hour and twenty minutes passing in re-
view. Some of the citizens along the line of
march, with rare thoughtfulness, provided
large pals and tubs of ice water, with cups
and glasses, for the veterans to slake their
thirst as they passed by. One of the
most interesting and amusing features
of the procession was a cavalcade of 'sSher-
mans bummers," marching through Georgia
and ''living on the country" Horses, equip
ments, brides saddles and riders, composed
perfect fac slmlle of class as are known to
those who are familiar with war history
Hanging to saddles and the backs of the horses
and about the riders, were strings of chick
ems, turkeys, hams, cabbages, pigs, and every
thing conceivable for camp fare, and one had,
perched on the pommel of his saddle bright
bareheaded little negro boy, from three to four
years old, who was delighted with his distin-
guished position and the cheers that greeted his
appearance. The 200 children sitting on the pyr-
amid on bridge square sung and waved flags to
the old veterans. 1t was beautiful sight to be-
bold, and it was appreciated by the old war
r1ors.
The first division of the procession was COM
posed of military, headed by large body of
police Next TO the three squads Of police
were the Twenty fifth regiment o. s. A. (col-
ored band, followed by Company b, G, and I,
of that regiment, which is stationed at Fort
Smelling, comprising $50 men commanded by
Col. Andrews, but in immediate command Of
Col. Lawson; battery +, Fourth artillery, sixty
men, eighty pices undera command of Major
Smith; Mankato band, Second regiment band,
followed by Second regiment, five companies,
Col. Bobleter commanding First regiment
band, ten companies of state guards, IFS in
line, under Col Bend; Vol Toce rifles, twenty
four in line, accompanied by fife and drum
corps under Capt McArdle; Gen. Terry and
staff, Governor Hubbard and staff, Gen. Lo-
gan, Grand Commander Beath and other vet
eran generals mounted and in carriages.
The second division was composed of the
Veterans of the first Minnesota, 16O men, car
rying old tattered battle flags. Following
came the members Of nearly 100 Posts of the
n