The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1884-01-04
Old Soldiers Camp Fire.

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cinity gathered around camp fire OF
the evening of December 2Sth at Arm
DRY Hall, to enjoy the social cheer which
such musterings always bring. The
several com mittees had made the need.
ed preparations and At 8 O'Clock abou,
125 of THE Old Boys" were in the hall.
Among the number were most Of these
whom Manksto has known ss "her sol.
diers " with others from surrounding
towns. Shortly after assembling Com
mander Cannon called Fall in" com.
mand "the boys" responded to with
alacrity, when they marched to the
Omaha depot, keeping time with the
martial music Of the G. A. X. drum
corps, where they met Department
Commander Rea, whom they escorted to
the hall. After music by the band OF
Co. F.. NJ. N. G., Commander Cannon in
few we'll chosen remarks Welcomed
all to our Camp fire" and expressed the
wish that the occasion would he enjoy.
ed by all. Rev. j. N. Liscomb, Depart
ment Chaplain in G. A. r., responded
in happy little speech, expressing his
pleasure in being present at this re-
union. Music by the band followed.
aud then the G. A. X. vocalists sang
"Tenting on the old Camp Ground"
the "boys" joining in the chorus.
Hon. NJ. J. Severance then talked to
''thc boys OF the past, recalling the
days when amidst the doubt and gloom
Of war they gathered around the scamp
fires" of the past with heavy hearts and
little to cheer. He painted in glowing
words the course Of old England and
France when they saw our young Re-
public threatened with disintegration
by civil war. How the opportunity
was seized by the latter to plant
monarchy in Mexico under Maximillisn
who was afterward 50 bssely deserted
and left to his tate, and how England
while protesting neutrality by covert
means aided the rebellion. He recalled
the Trent affair and explained how, that
acting, within the spirit and lstter Of
the proclamation of England's Queen,
Commander Wilks would have been
fully justified in seizing the Trent a.
contrabaud Of war and that our govern.
ment might have condemned both ses-
sci and cargo. The old fire kindled in
tine eyes of those who listened to the
speech, showing that the spirit OF the
past is not forgotten. Then came mu-
sic by the band, and then all Joined 10
that grand old war song,
John Browns body lies Wondering In the
grave"
Commander Rea followed in aspeech
in which he told of the work the Grand
Army of the Republic Is dong all over
the country. He illustrated this with
the work Of the association in Msssachu.
sets; that all cases of need there among
soldiers of the war or their families are
relieved by the relief committees OF tho
G. A. r., and that there is not In that
State single case where a soldier OF
those depe ndent upon him, is supported
by public charity. The order 10 DIS
tinctiyely a soldiers organization for
the mutual benefit and relief of soldiers
and the "widows and orphans Of those
who died that the Nation might live"
whose motto is Fraternity, Charity and
loyalty" He spoke OF the strength
of the G. A. X, which within . year
has grown from less than 100000 10
over 100000 and at the present ratio Of
increase will rumber 800, 900 in another
year. and that in Minnesota the num.
Der OF G. A. r. Posts has increased from
Is to 81 within the pas. year. Many
glowing passages Of the speaker were
applauded as only old soldiers can up.
plaud.
More music followed by the band and
then music Of another kind which the
boys we'll remembered came from tie
rear Of tie hall. Ii was the familisr
rattle of the camp kettles, mess pans,
tin plates, cups and spoons. -
Our old comrade, Major Rose, char.
man of the committe on Camp Fire, an.
uounced that the next thing op the pro
grsmme would be "army grub" the bill
OF fare, consisting Of pork and beans
la He,nze, Hard Tack q Ia Keuig and
cnfyno m In Rltna Tho l,o~n. Ill -.