The Portland daily press., 1884-11-25
G.. A. H.
The Reception of Gen. Kountx--The
Camp Fl ire at M echanics Ball.

PRESS, on Sunday night, was taken about the
city yesterday by committee from Bosworth
and Thatcher Posts of the Grand Army, and
was delighted with the city chosen for the Ma
tional Encampment of 1885. The Commander
Is OF medium height, dark complexion, black
halr and moustache, and possesses a most
agreeable presence. He enlisted in the 37th
Ohio volunteers at the beginning OF the war
as drummer boy. He was only 10 years Of
age He went safely through all the battles in
which that regiment was engaged until the
terrible charge of Mission Ridge, when the
drummer boy, under the inspiration of that
memorable assault on one of the strong fort
resses of the Confederacy, threw aside his
drum, snatched musket from the hands of
dying comrade, joined the assaulting column
and pressed up with his fellows to the front.
Near the crest of the ridge he fell, terribly
wosoded, and the boy-sodier left on the field
his right leg. In April. 1864, young Kountz
returned to bis home in Toledo, manned for
life. His brave deed gave him the name Of
the Drummer Boy of Mission Ridge"
Seven years later, having ittsd himself for
the active business affairs of life he was elect
ed treasurer Of Lucas county, and afterwards
county recorder. Comrade Kountz has been
member OF the great comradeship of the Grand
Army from the beginning, and b as always sig
nalled his devotion by active work in the
ranks. Three times Post Commander, thrice
appointed Adiptant, once Assistant and Quar-
termaster General, in 1881 he was unanimous
ly chosen Commander of the Buckeye Depart
ment. Then SO posts, with a mbership of
800, was the measure of the interest In OHIO
Twelve months later he surrendered his trust.
with 199 posts and S729 members, as the result
OF his labors for the Grand Army.
| Yesterday Afternoon, in Parlor No Q Of the
Falmouth Hotel, Commander Kcun;z receiy-
ed great number of army visitors, comrades
in the great conflict Of 1S61-65. Receiving
with him were Judge Advocate General aus
tin, Toledo, Ohio, of the National Encamp-
ment; Comrades George r. Deming of New
Hampshire, and George G.. French of Lewis
ton, aides-de-camp; and Comrade A. M. Saw
| yer, OF the Council Of Administrator. Among
those received were the officers of the Won
ans Relief Corps of Maine, attended by the
officers of the Portland Posts, to whom the
commander bore message, on the part of the
Woman's National Relief, asking that ar
rangements be made for hall in which to
meet here next summer. He also received
Department Commander Williams of Rock
land, Judge Advocate II. H. Burbank of saco,
and Comrades j. f. Lamb of Livermore Falls.
and Seiders of Portland, of the Council of
Administration of Maine. A deputation from
| Lewiston, consisting of Commodore French
and Horace Holman, were received, who came
| to prepare for the Grand Commanders visit 10
that city today. at noon, accompanied By the
| gentlemen as above named of his staff. Adm
tant General Beal of this State, DIR. Hamlin of
Bangor, and Col. Wildes of Skowhegan. all of
the National Executive Committee, called on
Commander Kountz The Commander will
leave Lewiston on the Pullman tonight for
| Boston.
THE CAMP FIRE.
| The Grand Army boys of Bosworth and
Thatcher Posts did themselves credit last night
at the campfire. An elaborate menu of army
memory was prepared. consisting of baked
beans, pickles, salt fish, hardtack, cheese, ap-
pies, oranges, pipes and tobacco to which full
| Justice was done by the two hundred and fifty
veterans and invited guests.
| Among the distinguished persons present
were John S. Kountz, Commandar-in-C Chief,
G. A. r.; d. r. Austin, of Toledo, Ohio,
Judge Advocate; John G. Lineham, Adjutant
General; George R. Deming of New Hamp-
shire, Department Commander; Gov. Robie
Department Commander Williams; His Honor
Mayor King; Messrs. Kelsey, Gallagher, Will
son. Burleigh, Novel;, Hersey and Small of
the City Government; Gen. Beal, Col. G. B.
Merrill, DIR. S. c. Gordon, ex-Goy. Selden
! Connor, Col. A. w. Bradbury, Judge Enoch
Knight, @. A. Coombs of Bath, Col A. w.
Wildes of Skowhegan, Major Burbank of sa-
CO, DR.. c. A. Hamlin of Bangor, Cant. a
Hight, hop. George d. Bisbee, Commander
Green of BoswoIth Post, senior commander,
and D. r. Dresser OF Thatcher Post
/ After invocation of divine blessing by the
| chaplain of Bosworth Post Commander
| Green, in few pertinent remarks, called nm
on George M Seiders Esq. to preside as toast
master, position he filed to the eminent sat.
| isfaotion of all.
Mr. Seiders, upon assuming the chair, OPEN
| ed the ball with brief but eloquent remarks,
BE first presented
| The Grand Army Of the Repubric-Grand in IT,
inception; gran er in its purposes and aims; com
prslng an army OF patriots, the selfconstituted de
tenders OF our republic.
Commander-in-C Chief John S. Kountz was
called upon to reply, and arose amidst cheers.
He eaid he first desired to thank most heartily
the Posts for this grand reception and cordial
| greeting, and psid an eloquent compliment to
| the soldiers of the Pine Tree State The Grand
Army of the Republic is the grandest associa.
tion on earth. 1t is graced by the three highest
virtues, to cement the ties of friendship. tc
protect the Union andyto sustain and cheer the
| widows and orphans of comrades. Loyalty il
its watchword and fidelity to the grandest
| principles of the war its motive. He gave q
splendid eulogy of the Grand Army OF the
Republic. 1t is reminder of the grandest
army in the world, devoted to liberty, simple
in form, and inexpensive in its machinery. II
Is purely fratcrnal organization, and has nc
partisan prrposes. 1t represents every creed
and shade OF political opinions, aud perpet,
yates the memory of valorous deeds. Loving
work pledges comrades who stood shoulder tc
shoulder in many hard fought battle. We
are growing old under the glorious banner Of
fraternity, charity and loyalty. He referred tc
the pension laws and to the gratitude shown tc
| SnO SoiuASAo' Wo uaVo uOJ HniSn6Q our Work.
The second toast was as follows:
| The Department of Mdine-The right wing of the
| Grand Army of the Republic; drawn up WITH wei
closed ranks and ever ready for action sends greet
| ing to the CENTRE the G. A. R. of Ohio.
This was responded to by Department Com.
nsnder Williams, who began by compliment
ing Bosworth and Thatcher Posts of this CITY
for the tender, hearty greeting accorded him
tonight. He also complinented the West fol
sending such brave patriots into the army
He then called upon Judge Advocate Bur.
bank Of Saco to reply to the toast, who elo.
| queDtly responded. Maine, said he, has more
than once rendered her cordial greeting to
| Ohio, and Ohio has echoed back its response tc
Maine. He referred to VIM. G.. Sherman as 3
noble son of Ohio, who is remembered for his
| great kindness to Maine soldiers in the war
Upon an occasion like this we leave care and
turmoil and meet upon common plane to ex.
change greetings and recall scenes of strife
| and blood. We may also look forward to
scenes of peace and prosperity There is an
army of patriots standing yet By the flag of the
| Republic.
The third toast was:
| TIE State Of Maine-A State that produces and
| exports largely the most valuable and highest
I r.rsVa dnA A4w IT, -.