River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-07-31
THE GRAND ARMY.
Annual Meeting of the Grand Army OF the
Republic at Minneapolis An Immense
Gathering of Veterans and Citizens.

The Annual Meeting of the Grand Army OF
| the Republic at Minneapolis was grand af-
fair, as regards attendance Of Veterans from
nearly all the Northern States, the ceremonies
attending the meeting, the associations con
nected with the occasion, and the ample pro
visions for shelterin9 aud otherwise entertain
ing the army The old fair ground in the
southern part of the city was converted into a
camp, the various buildings converted into
lodging houses, and the grounds dotted with
thousands of tents, while adjoining were neat
eating houses The great mass of veterans
were here accommodated while thousands
found shelter and food IN various parts
of the city Viewed from the
Amphitheatre or grand stand on the fan
grounds, presenteda picture to be always re-
membered. Six hundred and fifty tents almost
completely filed up the space iDclosed by the
| track racewhile their snow white walls and wav-
ing banners make pleasant picture upon the
background of the plain. Here and there silkeT
banner of elegant design floated from the tents
CATION. In the town headquarters We're estab-
| lished in hotels for the various states, which
were continually thronged by citizens and soldi-
ers in search of fields and former comrades,
AS the streets and buildings were decorated in
the most elaborate and tasteful manner.
There were many arrivals on Sunday and on
Sunday night and Monday, trains were con
stantly coming in from all quarters. Bands of
music were playing in every direction, and
veterans marching to their respective quarters,
while distinguished officers were taken in
charge by citizens who Wee proud to enter
tain them At noon on Tuesday those who had
come in, assembled at the grand amphitheatre
to witness the welcoming ceremonies The
stand was filled with the officers of the National
Encampment Minnesota Department, local
nd vii a latter
Commanders -chef Beath, Department Com
mander Babb, Gov Hubbard and Mayor Pills
bury. There was also upon the stand, Gov. j,
NJ Rusk of Wisconsin, and body guard con
sisting of six one armed AMI six one-legged
veterans, ex-Goy. Lucius Falrchlld, of Wiscon-
sin, Gen. Paul Vandevoort post commander,
Senior Vice Commander Warner, OF Missouri,
Gen. Chas. Grosyenor, of Ohio, Gen John III.
Gibson, of Ohio and others. Governor Bucius
T. Hubbard, made a welcoming address on be-
half of Minnesota and commander in 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 The
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
ceding day were re-enacted, save that the thor
oughfares were more crowded and the number
of Grand Army boys had been increased from
probably 1900 to 10000 Wisconsin came up
with Gov. Rusk and ex-Gov. Luclus Falrehild
Gen. Tom Allen Gen. Ross of Washington lac
companied by six veterans without arms and
six with one leg gone) 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 luri, where
10 lo14 10. had
called the remotest of states, from the Atlantic
TO the Pacific, and from the international bound
ary to the Gulf--the far away frontiers being
conspicuously we'll represented At late hour
Gen Logan, Grand Commander Gen. Negiey
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 life!n added the suggestion,
LETS carry him into the housom and move
ment was made with that objectin view, but
the carriage started off toward the residence of
Gen. Washburn, Generals Logan and Negey
being his guests. In the evening of Tuesday
there was a scamp fire" on the Fair grounds,
attended by vast crowd. Thespeakers were
little belated, but in due time zen. Logan was
introduced and made patriotic speech he
was followed by ex-Gov. Lucius Fairchild of
Wisconsin, Gen Warne, and others. After the
did not, and there was emusic N the air" until
nearly morning.
On Wednesday, the day of the grand process
sion, it is estimated there were 100000 strsng
ers in Minneapolis The parade itself with
its T. 500 in line gave the first index to the mum
Der of old soldiers in the city The roster of
many of the departments demonstrate that on
ly about one-half of the entire number In at
tendance upon the reunion participated IN the
parade, many being physically unable to stand
the heat and the long march. The bands more
than twenty in number, notincuding the drum
corps, seemed to enter into the zest of the
thing The blare of their trInpets was not
confined to the marching Seienades and par
AIDES upon their individual account were fro
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
the grand spectacle, and the bflllancy
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 and
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 few
of them were shot fuu OF DOles. 6uc0 con-
ditions are not salubrious and, in Difference to
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 We're compressed tho hOrdes al
ready spoken Of the result being squeeze, a
jam, and PRESSURE which only steam guage
of the highest test could measure At suit
able point, Gen Logan, Gen. sherman, and
other notables took position and reviewed the
one hour and twenty minutes passing in re-
view Some of the citizens along the line of
march, with rare thoughtfulhess, provided
large pals and tubs of ice wafer, with cups
and glasses, for the veterans to Stake their
thirst as they passed by. One OF the
most interesting and amusing features
of the procession was cavalcade of 'Sher-
mans bummers," marching through Georgia
and Giving on the country Horses, equip
ments, brides saddles and riders composed a
perfect fac smile OF a class as are known TO
those who are familiar with war history.
Hanging to saddles and the backs Of the horses
and about the riders we're strings of chick
ems, turkeys hams, cabbages, pigs, and every
thing conceivable for camp fare, and one had,
perched on the pommel of his saddle, bright,
bareheaded little negro boy from three to four
years old, who was delighted with his distin-
guished position and the cheers that greeted his
appearance. The 200 children sitting on the pyr-
amid on bridge square sung and waved flags to
the old veterans 1t was beautiful sight to be-
hold, and it was appreciated by the old war
rlors.
The first division of the procession was com
posed of military, headed by large body of
police Next 10 the three squads Of police
were the Twenty fifth regiment U. 5. A. tcol-
ored band, followed by Company b, G, i and /,
of that regiment, which is stationed at Fort
Smelling comprising $50 men commanded by
Col Andrews but in immediate command of
Col Lawson; battery I, Fourth artillery, sixty
mon, eighty pieces under command of Major
Smith; Mankato band Second regiment band,
followed by Second regiment, five companies,
Col Bobleter commanding First regiment
band. ten companies of state guards lbs in
line, under Col. Bend; Vol Ioce rifles, twenty
four in line, accompanied by fife and drum
corps under Capt McArdle; Gen Terry and
staff Governor Hubbard and staff, Gen. Lo-
gan, Grand Commander Beath aud other vet
eran generals mounted and in carriages.
The second division was composed of the
Veterans of the first Minnesota 100 men, car
rying old tattered battle flags. Following
came the members of nearly 100 Posts of the
Grand Army in Minnesota Then Dakota
strongly represented Following Dakota came
the Ohio representation of fifty-six men, I'M
der command of Gen. II. p Stage. of Cincin-
natl Colorado, twenty men under Gen. s. b
Carr.
The Third division was headed by the old vets,
who were in line to the number of 900
men, representing thirty posts all under the
command of the gallant Phil Cheek, Jr.
Next came the Indian delegates, 2l9 in line I'M
der command of Edwin Nicar The Green
Mountain state with only thirty men followed,
G. c. Lineman commanding and Kentucky
brought up the rear with delegation of four.
The fifth division one of the strongest in the
line. With band at the head, Kansas took
the lead with 200 men from all parts of the
state The Flambeau club. one of the most