The Dickinson press., 1884-08-02

Annual Meeting Of the Grand Army Of the
Republic ut Minneapolis-An Immense
Gathering Of Veterans and Citixsns.

the Republic at Minneapolis was q 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 fol sheltering and otherwise entertain
ing the army. The old fair ground in the
southern part of the city was converted into o
camp, the various buildings converted into
thousands of tents, while adjoining were neat
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
grounds, presenteda picture to be always re-
membered. Six hundred N ifty tents almost
completely filed up the space inclosed by the
track, racewhile their snow white walls and wav-
ing banners make a pleasant picture upon the
background Of the plain. Here and there silken
banner of elegant design foated from the tents,
and marked the headquarters of a state dele
cation. In the town headquarters were estab-
lished in hotels for the various states, which
were continually thronged by citizens and soldi-
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 Wee proud to enter
tain them. At noon on Tuesday those who had
come in, assembled at the grand amphitheatre
stand was filled with the officers of the National
Encampment, Minnesota Department, local
posts, and with the speakers. The latter were
Commander-in-c chief Beath, Department Com
mander Babb, Gov. Hubbard and Mayor Pills
bury. There was also upon the stand, Gov. J.
IN. RI1SE. of WiScOnSin and ho1v p1larl con-
sisting of six one-armed AMI six one-legged
veterans, eX-Gov. Lucius Fairchild, of Wiscon-
sin, Gen. Paul Nandevoort, post commander,
Senior Vice Commander Warner, of Missouri,
Gibson, of Ohio, and others. Governor Lucirs
F. Hubbard, made a welcoming address on be-
half of Minnesota, and commander-in-chief
Gen. Beatl responded. Mayor Pilsbury of
Minneapolis gave the city,s welcome, and q
Warner, of Missouri. Other speeches and res
ponses were also made, squads and battalions
of blue-coated men We're landed in the city at
almost every hour during Monday night. The
Tuesday morning trains came similarly loaded,
the noon trains resemblod 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 tho scenes of the pre-
ceding 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. Lncius Fairchild,
Gen. Tom Allen, Gen. Ross of Washington (ac-
companied by six veterans without arms and
six sha with v one ni, leg g {1a 2:ho Gen; wv VIM no Tef Gu msit
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
ary to the Gulf-the far away frontiers being
conspicuously well represented. AT u late hour
Gen. Logan, Grand Commander. Gen. Negley
and other noted officers arrived. A largenum-
Der of citizens surrounded Gen. Logan's car
riage and filled the air with cheers, which
the West hotel and in the vicinity. Some Of
the latter, amid cries of ssThe-e is Black Jack,
md natural as lifc!" added the suggestion,
sLet's carry him into the house!' and a move
ment was made with that objectin view, but
the carriage started of toward the residence of
Gen. Washburn, Generals Logan and Negley
being his guests. In tho evening of Tuesday
there was a Scamp fire" on the Fair grounds,
attended by q vast crowd. The speakers were
a little belated, but i'll due time Gen. Logan was
introduced and made q patriotic speech. He
was followed by ex-Gov. Lucius Fairchild of
Wisconsin, Gen. Warne, and others. Afterthe
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, it is estimated there were 100000 strang-
ers in Minneapolis. The parade itself with
it's $500 in line gave the first index to the num-
Der Of old soldiers in the city. The rostor of
many of the departments demonstrate that on
tendance upon the reunion participated in the
parade, many being physically unable to stand
the heat and the long march. The bands moro
than twenty in number, notinclnding the drum
corps, seemed to enter into the zest of the
thing. The blare of their trumpets was not
confined tn the marnhjnp SaranalpS and ma r.
AIDES upon their individual account were fire.
quent. Crowds gathered long before even
the advance guard of the procession had
begun to form. Many q house top was
fhe" grand Y''a apeeat ssSa' and sd''i the briii lane
Of the decorations of the buildings was
enhanced by their windows which were
crowded with visions of beautiful faces, i'll
settings of nebplous 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
of those that walked have wooden legs, many
of therl are walking lead mines, and Iot q few
Of them were shot full of holes. Such con-
ditions are not salubrious, and, in Difference to
the decrepitude of a largo number of the vet
Grams, the line of march was confined to three
miles, thise even being too much for some of
them. On the sidewalks, then, of this con-
tracted line We're compressed the hOrdes al
ready spoken of. the result being a squeeze, a
jam, and a pressure, which only q steam guago
able point, Gen. Logan, Gen. Sherman, and
other notables took a position and reviewed the
column as it 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 Stake their
thirst as they passed by. One of the
most interesting and amusing features
of the procession was a cavalcade of fSher-
mans bummers," marching through Georgia
and ''llying on the country" Horses, equip
ments, brides saddles and riders, composed a
perfect fac simiie of q 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, a bright,
bareheaded little negro boy, from threeto four
years old, who was delighted with his distin-
appearance. The 200 children sitting on the pyr-
amid on bridge square sung and waved flags to
the old veterans. 1t was a beautiful sight to be-
hold, and it was appreciated by the old war
riors.
The first division of the procession was COM
posed of military, headed by q large body Of
police. Next 10 the three squads Of police
were the Twenty-ifth regiment U. S. A. (col-
ored band, followed by Company B, G, + and l,
of that regiment, which is stationed Ii at Fort
Smelling, comprising 15o men commanded by
Col Andrews, but in immediate command Of
Col. Lawson; battery F, Fourth artillery, sixty
men, eighty pieces, under 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, 175 in
line, under Col. Bend; Vol Toce rifles, twenty
four in line, accompanied by fife and drum