The National tribune., 1884-09-18
GIVE THEM THE CREDIT.
Some Remarks Concerning the Recent Grand
Reunion as Fort MaYne.

The Headquarters Notes which appeared in
the issue OF your valuable paper OF the 4th
inst, giving an account of Commander-in-
Chief konntzs visit to Fort Wayne is calcu-
lated to mislead your readers and direct credit
from where it is due.
Commander in Chief Kountz and star to
gether with the hoa0red members of the Iudi-
ana Eneampment staff visited Fort Wavna
upon the invitation OF the Veteran Associafion
OF Northern Indiana. who inaugurated. con-
dueted, and carried out TO a complete success
one of the grlndest Reunions of old soldiers
ever held in any Of the Middle or Western
Ststes, as may be seen from your own columns,
OF issue referred TO, where in your own figures
places the number In attendance at 5000 vet
Grams, or 2, 600 more than you report at Chicago
while the excess of those who witnessed the
sham battle you place at tens Of thousands,
which IS correct. Fair estimates place the
number in Camp Allen to witness the sham
battle on Monday at 10000, while some say
$4,000. and others $1,000. Anyhow this large
assemblage came together to do honor 10 the
old veterans, upon the invitation, and as the
guests OF the before named association despite
the earnest and persistent opposition of the
two and only Fort Wayne ex-soldiers named
in your article. and TO whose efforts YOU en-
deavor to attribute the success Of the under
taking.
These same parties however, are deserving
OF all praise IN having succeeded in capturing
the Commander-in-Chief0 Of the GAR, together
with the officers Of the State Eneampmept
present, and in keeping them out Of the camp
of the old veterans at Camp Allen where you
say representatives from 63 Posts OF the G. Ar
where assembled, and where these veterans
expected that the Commander-in-C Chief would
reply ON the part Of the GAR. to the beautiful
and touching address of welcome given us by
our old war Mayor, Hon. f. P. Randall
Having once captured away from the old
veterans their most distinguished visitors, and
taken them to hall where not more than 300
could be admitted to witness the muster ger
formed by themselves, it was with some
difficulty that the 1890 veterans then in camp
could be persuaded to receive cur distinguished
guests other than as private citizens. Having
been snubbed by them at our opening Camp
fire, by exercising to large extent the second
tenet OF our beloved Order, those in camp were
prevailed on TO overlook it, and Saturdays
parade went on in accordance with the pro-
gram, and they submitted themselves to be
reviewed by, and paid suitable respect TO, our
distinguished guests.
The parade was simply immense, and was
divided into five Grand Divisions under ap-
! propriate commanders
First. Uniformed and armed troops includ-
ing four Parrott guns, one Rodman, one Ma
poieon and beautiful Gatling gun, which was
much admired.
Second. Posts Of the GAR, which was very
/ imposing.
| Third. Remnants of old regimental and bat
terry organizations, carrying their old tatrered
/ battie-hags. This division was shown great
respect, even TO reverence, along the entire line
OF march. One feature Of the march of this
/ division was the presentation by ex-Mayor
Randall to the boys Of the 30th Indiana of the
/ identical old battle flag which was presented to
the regiment % years before by the ladies Of
Fort Wayne, and which he had in his custody
/ ever since the close OF the war.
/ Fourth Came the civic societies in which
/ division was the excellent and efficient FIRE
/ department of the city.
| Fifth. The industrial parade Of about 200
/ wagons.
| beautiful silk FLAG was offered to the G. A..
| K Posts having the greatest number Of men in
ranks, Fort Wayne Posts barred. Kosciusk0
\ Post. of Warsaw, Ind. carried off the flag, while
/ Crosswaite Post, Of Angola, closely contested
/ their right TO il. On Sunday afternoon one OF
/ the finest dress parades ever witnessed around
/ here was conducted by Mai DeyIin, OF Jackson,
/ Mich, before IS, ,0O0 people. Some ight COM
panies of militia, uniformed and equipped,
participated. At the close the entire troops
! passed in review under the Sergeants before
I the general, regimental and company officers.
/ OF the sham battle on Monday, where You state
it was witnessed by 80, 900, you might safely say
/ $1,000 were present.
/ All this was conceived, projected and success
/ fully carried out under the leadership Of Capt.
/ Scott Swami. Chairman of the Executive Com
mlttee, IN the face Of the opposition of the
parties yOu name, and to whom your article
gives all credit. And becaEse Commander-in-
Chief kountz and the other distinguished Ofi-
GERS of the GAR, although in the city pur-
porting TO be the guests sf the Reunion Com
mittee, were not TO exceed one hour IN camp. is
| the reason I have been asked to send you this
| article in the interest Of JUSTICE"