St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-20

der in-chief; Gen. Joshua T. Owen, of Penn
sylvania, senior vice commander-in-chief;
Gen. Joseyh R. Hawley, of Connecticut,
gunior vice commander-in- chief.
ORGANIZING UNocoUPIED STATES.
The organization turned its attention to
the unoccupied states and territories which
were organized into departments as rapidly
as possible, and those who had been in the
Federal army during the rebellion were en-
couraged to establish posts and bring them
selves within the benefits and influences OF
the order This course resulted in great
good, and at the next annual
encampment which assembled at
Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 18th day of May,
1869, there were thirty-seven departments
reported, representing 1850 posts, and an
increase of sixteen departments during the
year. Gen. Logan was reelected command
el-in-chief at the encampment held in Gin
cinnati, May IL, 1869, and again at Wash
ington May II, 1870.
MEMORIAL DAY
In 1868 Gen. Logan directed the obsery-
ance OF May 30 as a memorial day, and the
national encampment, on his recommends
ton, had Incorporated the same in its organ
ic law, making the observance of that day
general and binding upon the organization.
GROWTH OF THE G. A. r.
AT the close of Gen. Logan's administra-
ton the order numbered about 10000 men.
From 1866 to 1869 the association increased
in all the states in strength and Importance.
Rrrtf o,r- ,,t. Al
it is impossible to give the figures.
Its growth for the next few years was not
so large. In fact, it was at stand still. An
element entirely foreign to the best interests
OF the order had been permitted to creep 1t,
and had materially interferred with its work.
A MEMBERSHIP BADGE.
At special meeting held in New York
city, in October, 1868, On motion of Mr.. F.
A. Starring, of Illinois, committee was APP
pointed to consider the subject of a badge
for the members. The badge is of bronze,
made from cannon captured during the late
rebellion. 1t is in the form of five pointed
star, similar in design to the 200 medals al-
thorized by act of congress to be given to
soldiers and sailors most distinguished for
menitorious and gallant conduct. The re-
verse side represents a branch of laurel
the crown and reward of the
brave-in each point of the
star. The national shield IN the center is
surrounded by the twentyfour recognized
corps badges, numerically arranged, each on
keystone, showing they are united, and
will guard and protect the shield of the ma
ton. Around the center is circle of stars,
representing the states of the Union, and
the departments composing the Grand Army
of the Republic 1t was designed by Mr.. F.
A. Starring, at that time inspector general.
THE BOSTON ENcAMPMENT.
The next annual encampment was held
in Boston, May 10, 1871, at which time Gen.
Ambrose E. Burnside, of Rhode Island, was
elected commander-in-chief, holding the
Office for two years. In the administration
Of Gen. Burnside the order made but slow
progress. The inspector generals depart
ment, upon which, if properly arranged,
great results depend, was put under the con-
troll of Col Robert B. Beath, and al
once order seemed to come out d chaos.
Under General Burnside's second ta&p, and
and under Attorney General Devn's, the Ad-
jutant Generals office was removed from
Washington for the first time since General
Logan's first term as commander. Many oil
the members who had the welfare of the Or
ganization at heart gave this their approval,
and the work of recruiting began anew.
CHANGING THE RITUAL AND BYLAWS.
The ritual had now been altered and am
mended, and the bylaws changed again.
The ritual was made to conform more to the
civil mode of life than the military, and an
amendment to the bylaws gave to the mil
itiaman who held discharge from a regular
United States officer the right to make an
application and become a new member.
While this latter clause was strongly resented
by many of the posts, Its good effect was ap-
parent.
NEW HAVEN ENCAMPMENT.
at the meeting which took place at New
Haven, Conn, May II, 1878, Gen. Burn
sides having positively declined third
term, Gen. Charles A. Deyins, Jr., of Massa-
chussetts, afterwards attorney general of the
United States, was chosen his successor. He
was reelected at the session in Harrisburg,
Pa, May 12 1874. During his administra-
ton the headquarters were In Boston, Mass
Gov. John F. Hartranft, of Pennsylvania,
was elected commander-in-ehief at Chicago
May H. 1875, and he established headquar-
tiers at Philadelphia, with Col. Robert B.
Beath as adjutant general. Gov. Hartranft
was reelected at Philadelphia, June 80
1876.
PROVIDENCE ENCAMPMEMT.
The next encampment was held at Provi
dence, R. l., in June, 1877, and Gen. John
c. Robinson, of New York, was elected com
mandcr-in-chief. He appointed Col. james
L. Farley adjutant general. Gen. Robinson
was re. elected at the encampment at Spring
field, Mass, In June, 1878.
ALBANY ENCAMPMENT.
The twelfth annual session was held in
Albany in June, 1879. William Earnshaw
chaplain of the National home, Ohio, wa:
elected COMMUNICATIVE hief. Headquarters
during his term were at Dayton, where tn,
thirteenth session was held in June, 1880
At Albany the rule Of re-electiDg the senior
and Junior vice commander-in- chief was
broken in order that the honors of the high
est positions might be passed around to {
greater number, and this rule was afterward,
applied to the position of eommander-in-
chief.
DAYTON ENCAMPMENT.
At the Dayton, Ohio session Gen. Loui,
Wagner, of Pennsylvania, was elected com
mander-in-chief and he appointed Col Rob
ert B. Beath adiutant general with head
quarters at Philadelphia. A large gair
in membership was reported this year
and the commander-in-chief, at his own ex
pense, visited large number Of department.
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