The National tribune., 1884-11-06
The GRAND ARMY.
The Commander in Chief Home Again.
The Departments.
HEADQUARTERS NOTES.
Growth OF the Grand Army 10 the South-The
Protector Eastern Tour of Commander kountz.

TOLEDO O., Nov. I.
Commander-in- Chief Kountz has returned
from his Southern visit TO comrades in Tennes-
see and Georgia, and speaks in the most enthu-
sisstc terms of his visit and the fratcrnal
courtesies showercd upon him. While in Nash
vile he was the guest OF George ii. Thomas
Post and the Department officers, and OF that
genial gentleman and earnest organizer De-
partment Commander Z. S. Jones, who &C.
companied him on his entire trip, and was an
RENTING in his efforts TO make 1t both
interesting and agreeable. Many friendly at
teptioas were extended to him by resident ex-
CoBfede:ates wherever he went, which were
received in the cordial spirit in which they
were rendered. Among those 10 give him well
come 10 the glowing campfire, where they
were present as guests, was Gen. Frank Cheat
ham, who is now as
EARNEST FOR PEACE
and Union as he was for war. Comradc
Jones is the authority for the statement that in
Tennessee and Georgia alone there are resid-
ing between 10000 and $4,000 ex-UniOn soldiers,
pErsuing their vocations peacefully among
those they once met with arms in their hands
Commander Kountz believes the growth and
rerpetuation of the Grand Army in the South
will be pronotive OF sill greater harmony, and
of loyalty and peace. The ex-Confederate
soldier appreciates the OBJ ect of the association
his share towards bringing about an era OF re-
Cancellation and goodwill. Comrade Kountz
is the first Commander-in-Chicft TO visit the
Grand Army in the territory named, and can
well understand why the comrades are SO de-
sirous Of having
THE GRAND ENCAMPMENT SOUTH,
since they will have the aid and cooperation
of the entire city should Nashville be dis
tinguishcd with the honor.
AGj't-Gen. Thurman, of Tennessee, of Gov
Bates's Staff who was Confederate Captain,
the same gentleman who accompanied the G.
Ar delegation to Minneapolis, says if the
Grand Army will go to Nashville they will
have the most royal reception ever accorded
them, and to that end mint of money can be
raised on call. The railroads are pledged TO
carry all going at the rate of one cent mile.
KNOXVILLE AND FORT SANDERS.
At Knoxville the Commander-in-C Chief was
accorded the same royal welcome rendered him
elsewhere of which mention has already been
made in THE TRIBUNE. During the day of
his arrival with Comrade Jones, he was eS-
corted over the city by Comrades VIM. Ram
age and Maj. Poser Post Commander, and
visited old Fort Sanders and many other points
of interest memorable in the war. In the
evening he was rendered a reception by the
Post, and congratulated the comrades upon the
evidences he saw everywhere around him,
and prosperity which have arisen with the
New South and are making lasting and benef-
cent impress. Abiding TO the visit at Knox
vile of the Communicating Chief, the Knox
vile ChroaicJe which published his admirable
address to the comrades of the Post in full, in
response 10 a resolution, says:
We think EountZ is the right IN the right
place. He is young vigorous. and full of honest,
unpretentious enthusiasm for the great organiza-
ton of which he is chief. lie appreciates the nigh
t.s
not seliisly. but for the good which lie hopes to
be able 10 accomplish by means OF 1t.
VISIT TO MISSION EDGE.
Of the manifold interesting experiences at
tending the visit of the COmmander-in-C Chief.
none was more full of interes: or Of kindling
memories than the visit to the battlefield of
Mission Ridge. A representative of the Chat
tanooga Daily Commercial was of the party, and
gives graphic account of the visit TO the spot
where 81 years ago Comrade Kountz threw
down his drum and Joined in the charge of the
31th Ohio. losing his left leg under the enemy's
guns 1.-The old line of rife-pits was found"
says the Commercial, land standing up in the
carriage the Commander-in-Chi pointed out
the direction the line of battle had followed in
those long-ago days, and the spot where they
had lain on their arms through the chill Nov
ember night for the grateful morn" The re-
manning portion of the account is given entire,
Is recording
A REMARKABLE COINCIDENCE:
He was escorted by number of ex-soldiers, who
were glad of the privilege. The party made
up Is follows: Department Commander T. s. JONES'
3D. Pa. Cav; Comrades II I. Temple, 2lst Ky; G.
W. Norwood, 2lst KY; J. b; wooIson, 18th Ohio;
w. A. Wooison, I45h Ohio; II. 4. Woodburn, 9th
Pa; c. w. Baker, 1ith q. S. C. l.; 3. NJ. Menden-
hall, 25ih Ind; A. NJ. Snyder 23d KY; John J.
Hamilton 3Sd n J.; Luther Hayes eth Ohio; w.
T. Rowden 9TH Tenn; John McNcily, 4th U. s.
Cav.
The squad rode TO poin. on the tunnel. climbed
oraAd hal opff
old rife-pts and breastworks, and at last brought
MP at the house OF w. p. Ford. When Gen. Kountz
it he said: That is the house, lay its
porch after was carried to by Serg't Smith.
1t looks just as remember it." Mrs. Ford at that
time young girl, had been in the house during
the battle. and refreshed the memory of the man
who eagerly seeking information.
The General succeeded in establishing to his sat
xefaction the spot where his regiment charged and
where he received the wound which crippled him
for life. During the search he met and chatted
with an ex-Johnny. J. +. Young, 9th Ala. The
oldtine foes pleasantly compared notes of the field
Oh which they had faced each other.
On their return trip the party visited the Ma
nonai cemetery ana rode slowly through that ST.
the blue. silence fell upon the lively chat,
each member involuntArily paying tribute 10 the
memory OF the boys" and specializing as to what
time may elapse before his is dropped from
the roll and he mustered with the army of the
dead.
FORSYTH POST CAMPFIRE.
Forsyth Post is arranging for grand Camp
utS hOlHcsuay evening, NOV. LIZ upon Tic
occasion of the visit TO Toledo of the National
Council of Administration, called together by
Commander-iD-C Chief kountz 1t is expected
also that Past Commander Chief r. B. Beath
and Quarternaster-General John Taylor, of
Philadelphia; Department Commander j. III.
Lloyd, of Cincinnati, and Senior Vice Conn
n1ander z. b. Brown, of GAINESVILLE, will be
present.
PROGRAM FOR THE EAST.
Commander-in-Chief Kountz will visit the
New England States about the middle Of No
vember. BE viii be in Boston Nov. II and IS,
and viii probably visit, consecu:ivcly, the
comrades of Providence, r. l.; Hartford, Conn;
Rutland. VT; Concord. n. H., and Portland,
Ne. Judge Advocate General Austin viii &C
company him, and it is not improbable that
Gen. c. II. Grosvenor, of the GAR. Pension
Committee will be of the party.
HEADQUARTERS DoINGs.
AdJt-Gen. Alcorn has received through Past
Eenior Vice Commander-in-ChiefI /. S. Bangs,
of Waterville, Ne, an application for charter,
forwarded by tie cOlored soldiers of his old
command IN New Orleans which has in turn
been sent to Commander Roy, Department of
the Gulf
The Committee Of the 18th annual Encamp-
nent at Minneapolis (Col. Z. C. Babb, Depart
ment Commander, Chairman announce pro
rata return of 20 per cent, amounting III all TO
$4,000 TO the subscribers TO the entertainment
fand. This is creditable showing for the fair
city Of the Northwest.
THE VETERAN