The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30
THE GRAND ARMY.
The Commander Chief in the South.
The Departments.
GEN. KOUNTZ'S TOUR.
The Commander I'm Chiefs Enthusiastic
Reception at Nashville, Memphis, Chat
tanooga and Atlanta.


Kountz arrived at Nashville Sunday 10TH and
was met at the depot by Department COM
mander Jones, Maj. Mills, Commander Law
renee and delegation OF comrades from Geo. III.
Thomas Post, No /, Nashville, and escorted to
the Maxwell House. where he was the guest OF
Thomas Post. On Monday the COMMANDMENTS
Chief was driven TO all points of interest in the
city, including the many public buildings and
the battlefield, and in the evening Masonic
Theater was packed to oyerfowing with Nash
villc's best citizens, many of whom were eX-
Confederate soldiers, including Gen. Frank
Chcatham, who was among the first to greet
Commander Kountz The Drummer Boy"
was introduced TO the large audience by Maj
A. W. Mills in a most happy manner, and met
with hearty and generous reception. The
Commander-iu-C Chiefs address was devoted to
an explanation of the interest and purpose OF
the Grand Army of the Republic, and was re-
ceived with great applause.
On Monday morning the Commander-in-
Chief accompanied by Department Commander
Jones and Senior Vice Commander Garret,
visited Memphis, arriving there at o'clock p.
m, and were met by Commander Williamson
and com rades of Memphis Post, No. 3, who were
awaiting with carriages to show the party
through the city. After a pleasant drive the
party returned to the Peabody House. The
meeting in the evening was well attended by
comrades and ex-sodiers 10 OF the latter max
ing. Gen. kountz was highly pleased with his
visit here and at ii o'clock number of COM
rades accom- panied him and Department Com
mander Jones to the train for Chattanooga,
where they arrived at o'clock p. In. Wednes-
day, and were welcomed by Lookout Post, No.
9, Commander Wood. There are about 500
ex-Union soldiers in Chattanooga, and this
promises TO become one Of the largest Posts In
the Department.
At CHATTANOOGA
On Thursday morning large delegation of
the Post took carriages and accompanied the
Commander-in- Chief to Mission Ridge, the spot
where lie lost his leg 81 years ago next month,
and which has for him more than ordinary
historic interest The COMMANDMENTS Chief
was provided with horse, and went to that
portion of the field on the extreme left where
he fell, and then to the old house just below
the ridge, where he was afterward carried. On
his return to town, Gen. kountz started for
Atlanta, where he arrived at p. m., and
shortly afterwards paid visit to Mitchell Post,
No 81, where he met with a most cordial
greeting. DR.. Wilson, the Post Commander,
introduced the Grand Commander, who made
an enthusiastic address, which was listened to
with the greatest interest. Gen. Kountz said:
COMRADES: 1t gives me more satisfaction than
have words 10 express 10 meet so many comrades
of the Grand Army of the Republic away down
here in Atlanta and am glad TO hear that the ties
of Union and friendship have been SO firmly ce-
mented that they who, % years ago, opposed each
other upon the battlefield, meet to-day with no
feeling of bitterness, .tTie rivalry that
OF patriotic devotion to our common country, and
knowing limit OF sect or section no bounds save
God and humanity.
Comrades we rejoice that the freest Government
that ever adorned our planet has been saved that
the blessing OF liberty has been extended TO every
member Of the human family iii this great Repub-
lie and we rejoice that although more than 20
years have passed since we enlisted TO battle for
the Union many of us have been spared to meet
N la
march and battle and cherish their recollection of
the heroic deeds of our comrades during those
memorable days from 1861 to Iet5.
As Cummander-in-Chief of the grandest civic
association earth. and standing in the presence
OF comrades who have but recently united with US,
It Ii proper that say word in explanation of the
intent and purpose of this great communicating,
which stands as the guardian of the soldiers rights
and interest the protector OF his widow and orphan
children, which has the respect and confidence of
our best citizens.
Its broad Fraternity is proven by the testimony of
more than a quarter Of million of the survivors
of the army, which under Providence saved the
Nation, its Charity by the noblest works of hands
that cl>ped around the campfire, and its 10y
atty by lives OF devotion TO the great principles
which trium phed in the war IL Is the most glori-
Gus organization in existence, because it Is made
up entirely of those who III the hour of the Nations
peril sacrificed the pleasures of home and the dear
est earthly ties TO battle for the preservation of
common country
Our conradesiiip is the representative of patriot
ism and unfaltering devotion to liberty. and is
ganzcd after the military form with Commander
intricate machinery, no forms beyond those neces-
sary for the protection of its members against inn
position, and l. not properly secret society only
rs the grand army in the field was one in having its
copniersign. We have nothing to conceal The
proceedings of our EBcampments are published to
the world and our OILS ects challenge the admiration
of all who understand them
The Grand Army is purely a fraternal and be-
nevolent organization, and has no partisan pur-
poses is it any design of ours to keep alive
cherish the hatred cngendered during the war;
TO aid Ill promoting the selfish interests of any man.
in ranks nearly all the illustrious soldiers
OF the war, representing every shade of political
opinion and every comrade who loves the Grand
Army Will guard with his every heart pulse against
allowing the use of the organization such, even
in the most remote degree for partisan purposes.
We are united to perpetuate the memory of assidu-
service, cherish the associations formed from
conpanionship in the camp and on the battlefield
give and TO the needy soldier and the bereaved
family of the fallen assist each other and to
memoraie the deeds OF heroism and gallantry of
our comrades.
Such is the mission of our noble association and
the sense of comradeship that thrills hearts is
only known to them who stood shoulder to Shout
der battling TO preserve the integrity of the Nation
Comrades, we have stood together in the glory of
victory and the gloom of defeat, through common
dangers dared and common triumphs Won partic-
fpsting in the scenes the most brilliant that history
has recorded and forming and cementing friend
ships that shall endure while life lasts But row
the snow ia our hair marks advancing age and our
lines arc steadily growing thinner and thinner, and
g. one after another falls away close in toward
tile center and take touch of the elbow as of old
and the tie which binds is stronger and warmer
than any other Tie on earth save that OF the family
relation.
The Grand Army will live on and grow on until
into its fratarna fold will be gathered every wor-
thy survivor OF the war; here TO live and love and
labor in the bonds of patriotism and friendly COM
rsdeship, under the glorious banner of Fraternity
Charity, and Loyalty.
Comrades, as / have said, it give me genuine
pleasure to meet many of you here to- night
and assure you shall bear with to my home
and fondly cherish the peasantest recollection of
this meeting tonight.
After the Grand Commanders address was
concluded, Col. Jones, the Department Com
mander was introduced, and made an interest
ing address After his address the members of
the Post were called on, and several responded
in happy way, among them Gen. Lewis, Mai,
Watson, Maj Barnes, and Others Their re-
marks were especially noteworthy, as they
showed the state of good feeling that existed
between the Union soldiers and the ex-Confed-
crates of the South. The testimony was unani-
nous that the pleasantest possible relations and
feelings exist, and some exceedingly pleasant
things were said about the boys in gray. The
meeting was most pleasant one in every way
The Post is composed of excellent material,
and promises 10 have membership of 100 by
the close of the quarter. Commander KountZ
was delighted with his Atlanta trip which in
eluded visit 10 the battlefelds about the CITY.
and the spot where the gallant Mcpherson fell
AT ATLANTA.
In abiding to Gen. Kountzs visit, the At
lanta CoastitutiOn said:
Gen. Kountz is quite young man to hold so re-
eponsible and exalted position as Commander of
the Grand Army. He liz IS years old and is hand
some, dark featured with black hair and brown
eyes and a black mustache He limps on his left