The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-17
THE RECENT CAMP FIRE.
One of the Most Remarkable and Entertaining
Soldiers Gatherings Ever Held.

One of the Most Remarkable and Entertaining
Soldiers Gatherings Ever Held.
Washington Special.
In conversation, to-day, respecting the Grand
Army campfire held on Friday evening last Mr..
Alexander, the department commander, stated
that so far he knew it entirely without
political significance as had been suggested in
two or three newspapers Soon after his election
in January, it had occurred to him, he said, TO
hold department campfire, in which all the
posts in the department could participate. Sew
eral topics were suggested, and the operation
against Vicksburg was finally selected, because
at previous camp fires the Eastern campaigns and
battles had been reviewed, and Western soldiers
had requested that some Western campaign be
discussed. Afterward, when General Grant Wis
tied the city, it was regarded as a particularly
happy subject and of course his presence was
sought.
During his speech General Logan frequently
turned to General Grant for names and dates,
the number of troops engaged on particular days,
and the number killed, wounded and prisoners.
1t was noted that Grant never hesitated for an
instant, but answered as if the whole had oc-
CURED but yesterday. The names of the men
who owned the land occupied by his troops, and
the smallest details of the entire campaign were
upon the end of his tongue. and Logans ques-
lions were answered almost before they could be
asked. General Hawley remarked that he had
never seen Grant laugh so much as he did
during that evening He seemed to enjoy it as
much as the boys, and once or twice volunteered
q suggestion that added to the humor of Logan's
descriptions.
Secretary Lincoln had been thoughtful enough
to take from the files of his Department. the letter
written by General Grant to General Pemberton
declining anything but unconditional surrender.
1t was in the General own handwriting, and the
presence of it added not little to the interest of
the occasion. General Grant looked at it care
fully remarking that he had not seen it for over
twenty years. In reading the letter to the au-
dience General Logan was unable to make out
one word, and General Hawley suggested that it
was probably written stump. Yes" said
Logan and | saw the stump where he was
sitting at the time"
In describing the scene where the rebel fort
was blown up, General Logan was particularly
happy, He told of an old negro that blown
clear over into the federal fortifca-
tons. receiving no injuries except
slight bruise and being temporarily stunned.
The negro said he went up about three hundred
feet, and when he was coming down the others
were going up. The manner in which Logan
told it convulsed the whole house with laughter
in which Grant joined most heartily.
Logan remarked that the negro afterwards
became servant at his headquarters appealing
to Grant, if he did not remember him. Grant
laughed, and said he remembered him we'll In
many respects the meeting was of the most
remarkable and entertaining soldiers gatherings
ever held.
First Comptroller Lawrence said it was an
historic meeting, and that nothing would have
induced him to miss it. Several hundred old
soldiers were turned away for want of room and
it took file of guards to open passage way for