The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-01-03
The eaalnct OF so!dIers, ReanIons.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

10 the i1UitOT NATIONAL 1RlBUALi
Allow me through the columns of your valu-
able paper to express a few of my opinions in
regard to our State tAiichfgan} soldiers Re-
unions. It was my privilege TO attend the
soldiers Reunion he'd atSt. Joseph last Au-
gust, lasting three days. Every comrade that
was there Will agree with me that there was
big turnout, not only of comrades, but other
citizens, 50 that st. Joseph was full and over
flowing and could not accommodate her guests
as it should, especially in the commissary
department as hundreds who had 10 wait ia
the streets will certify 10. Now, l wish it un-
derstood that / am timing no fault with st.
Joseph nor her liberal, patriotic citizens. nor
did have an unpleasant word with one while
there. The crowd was greater tian expected
therefore, St. Joseph was oveqtazed beyond her
capacity. She did ali sac could, ssa. everybody
Interested used every exgrti0n to suppI vs4-a-ee
mands. My object is 70 aggest some means Of
obyiating such occurrences in the fubnre, hop
Ing that others viii do tl same, SO as to be pre-
scented before the State Encanpnlent to be held
in Detroit next January. la the first place,
the Grand Army of the HepnbIic IS rapidly on
the increase, and doubtless viii continue to grow
for the next five years; consequently. a larger
number viii be in attendance at each Reunion,
and the tax on the citizens of any one town OF
city corporation in this State will be more than
they can possibly bear ard meet the demand
satisfactorily.
Now, in the FIRST place, let the State furnish
the requisite number Of tents to each Post,
then let each Pest furnish itself with camp
chest, oil stove, coffee, teapot tin plates, tin
cups, and knives and forks and such provisions
as they can convey with thein-not perishahie.
1t would devolye upon the citizens of the
town or city where the Reunion is TO be held
10 furnish suitable grounds, lumber for tables
and seats, plenty Of clean straw for bedding
and water for cooking purposes as well as ice
water for drinking; aisoa supply Of good, fresh
bakers bread delivered each morning. Iwouid
advocate less parade and marching through the
streets. We are not as young as we were
twenty years ago. Have a review in some
suitable place. After 10 o'clock p. M. stop this
din and noise, rap tap tap, and let the old
veteran rest and sleep. Ii any of the comrades
want to take in the lager beer saloons, that is
their privilege; but don't abuse those who
don't think as you do. Be temperate In your
habits; it viii insure healthier and happier
life. If any comrade wishes to take his wife.
that is his privilege; bat | would advise him
to seek sleeping quarters away from the tents.
It IS not just the place for refined women. Old
soldiers must and will relate the many incl
dents of war times they meet to have good
sociable time, knowing that We viii not always
last. So, comrades, let us hear from you on
this subject Yours, in E., G. and t..
BATTLE CREEK, MIcn. r. w, SURBY.
We coincide with Go.urade surfy in all of
his recommendations except that which re-
lates to the presence Of women in the camp.
The most successful Reunions held are in Ne
braska, and there the veteran soldiers.and their
families camp in tents fora week and there is
10 trouble or annoyance and the practice has
been Of the greatest possible benefit to the
Grand Army. The old soldiers can have just
rs good time if they tell the stories eff the
march, camp, prison, and do away with the
stories which We're made in the days of war,
when no women were around. The presence.
of women viii add to the enjoyment; and who
has a better right to be there than our wives,
daughters and sisters? And what would do the
old mothers, who waited and watched and
prayed when we were gone. more good than to
camp with the returned son? ghe more women
present the better for the Order The more
we invoke their aid the more we viii grow,
and deserve to. They viii submit more cheer
fully to Inconvenience than the comrades.
Ed