The Mineral argus., 1884-08-07

Gathering OF veterans SAo SAsA1ens
mha Animal Meeting of the Grand Army Of
A. p.nrblio at Minneapolis was a grand af-
80. "a ra0ards attendance of Veterans from
naa1l~ ali fhe Northern States, the ceremonies
Extending the meeting, the associations con-
@aotad With the occasion, and the ample pro
neSo ons For sheltering and otherwise entertain
HnH ~ army. The old fair ground in the
n5 part of the city was converted into q
oonn fine various buildings converted into
SS"da5no houses, and the grounds dotted with
ttIo1sands Of tents, while adjoining were neat
astino houses. The great mass OF veterans
ere here accommodated while thousands
sound shelter and food In various parts
of the city. Viewed from the
xmphitheatre or grand stand on the far
Grounds, presented a picture to be always re-
membered. Six hundred andfifty tents lmost
completely filed up the space lnclosed by the
track racewhile their snow white walls and wav-
ing banners make a pleasant picture upon the
bactground OF the plain. Herd and there a silken
banner Of elegant design foated from the tents,
and marked the headquarters Of a state dele
CATION. In the town headquarters were estab-
fshed in hotels for the various states, which
we're continually thronged by citizens and soldi-
ers in search of fields and former comrades.
Az the streets and buildings were decorated in
the most elaborate and tasteful manner.
There we're many arrivals on Sunday, and on
Sunday night and Monday, trains were CON
stantly coming in from all quarters. Bands of
music we're playing in every direction, and
veterans marching TO their respective quarters,
while distinguished officers were taken III
charge by citizens who were proud to enter
tain them. At noon on Tuesday those who had
come in, assembled at the grand amphitheatre
10 witness the welcoming ceremonies. The
stand was filled with the officers of the National
Encampment, Minnesota Department, local
posts. and with the speakers. The latter were
Commander-in-chief Beath, Department Com
mander Babb, Gov. Hubbard and Mayor Pills
bury. There was also upon the stand, Gov. J.
N. Rusk, of Wisconsin, and body guard con-
sisting of six one-armed and six one-legged
veterans, ex-Gov. Lucius Fairchild, of Wiscon-
sin, Gen. Paul Vandevoort, post commander,
Senior Vice Commander Warner, of Missouri,
Gen. Chas. Grosvenor, of Ohio, Gen. John H.
Gibson, of Ohio, and others. Governor Lucius
F. Hubbard, made a welcoming address on be-
half of Minnesota, and commander-ln-chief
Gen. Beath responded. Mayor Pilsbury of
minneapolis gave the city,s welcome, and a
response was made by Senior Commander
Warner, of Missouri. Other speeches and res
ponses were also made, squads and battalions
Of blue-coated men were landed in the city at
almost every hour during Monday night. Tit
Tuesday morning trains came similarly loaded,
the noon trains resembled 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 { Y the scenes of the pre-
ceding day were re-eAacted, save that the thor
oughfares were more crowdeda and the number
of Grand Army boys had been increased from
DIODAOiY lN.OOO W lisOONh UA1JOnoAn NuAnC up
with Gov. Rusk and ex-Gov. Lucius Fairchild,
Gen. Tom Allen, Gen. Ross of Washington lac
companied by six veterans without arms and
six with one leg gomez. Gen. VIM. Tecumsch
Sherman eluded the ''boys" who were in wait
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
airy to the Gulf-the far away frontiers being
nOnSnicuoualv well raDrpsenfed. AT a late hour
Gen Logan, Grand Commander. Gen. Negley
and other noted officers arrived A large num-
Der of citizens surrounded Gen. Logan's car
rage and filled the air with cheers, which
were taken up and repeated by the veterans ut
the West hotel and in the vicinity. Some of
the latter, amid cries of ''There is Black Jack,
and natural as lifel" added the suggestion,
"Let'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. W~ashburn, Generals Logan and Negley
being his guests. In the evening of Tuesday
there was a scamp fire" on the Fair grounds,
attended by a vast crowd. The speakers were
a little belated, but in due time Gen. Logan was
introduced and made q patriotic speech. He
was followed by ex-Gov. Lucius Fairchlld OF
Wisconsin, Gen Warne, and others. After the
speeches many retired to their cots, but others
did not, and there was emusic in the all" 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
its Z. 500 in line gave the first index to the num-
Der of old soldiers in the city. The roster of
many of the departments demonstrate that on
Iy about one-half of the entire number In at
tendance upon the reunion participated III the
parade, many being physically unable to stand
the heat and the long march. The bands more
than twenty in number, not including the drum
corps, seemed to enter into the zest OF the
thing. The blare of their trumpets was not
confined to the marching. Serenades and par
40 $50 4Iafr Individual aRnOunt VVarn fire.
quent. Crowds gathered long before even
The advance guard of the procession had
begun to form. Many a house top was
crowded with people anxious to witness
of the decorations of the buildings was
enhanced by their windows which were
crowded with visions of beautiful faces, IN
settings of nebulous 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 ana
shouting that followed it everywhere. The old
Minnesota battle flags were another feature
that set the crowd roaring, likewise the rem
nant of the First Minnesota volunteers. Many
of those that walked have wooden legs, many
of them are walking lead mines, and not a few
of them were shot full of holes. Such con-
ditions are not salubrious, and, in Difference &c
the decrepitude of a large number OF the vet
Grams, the line of march was confined to three
miles. this even being too much for some OF
them. On the sidewalks, then, of this con
tracted line were compressed the hordes al
ready spoken of, the result being a squeeze, 9
Jam. and a pressure, which only a steam guagt
Of the highest test could measure. At a suit
able point, Gen. Logan, Gen. Sherman, anc
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 slake then
thirst as they passed by. One of tn
- A-oAE-~ oDI oOarain0 fpatufpa