The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1884-08-01
THE GRAND ARmT.
annual Meeting OF the Grand Army OF the
Republic at Minneapolis IAN Immense
Gathering 'os Veterans ana Citizens.

The Annual Meeting of the Grand Army Of
the Republic at Minneapolis was a grand az
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 prs,-
visions for sheltering and otherwise entertain
ing the army. The old fair ground in the
soutnern 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. TIE great mass of veterans
were here accommodated while thousands
round sneiter and food in various parts
q the city. Viewed from the
Amphitheatre or grand stand on the far
grounds, presented a picture to be always re-
membered. Six hundred and fifty tents almost
completely filled up the space incIosed by the
track, racewhile their snow white walls and wav-
ing banners make a pleasant picture upon the
background ofthe plain. Here a dthers s silken
banner Of elegant design fioatsd from the tents.
and marked the headquarters of a state dele
cation. In the town headquarters wore estab-
hshed 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
- ANSAC NNIC plhylub III 6NeTY QlfGCTlOn. and
veterans marching to their respective quarters,
while distinguished officers were taken In
charge by citizens who were proud to enter
tain them. AT noon on Tuesday those who had
come In, assembled at the grand amphitheatre
70 witness the welcoming ceremonies. The
stand was filled with the officers of the National
Encampmeut, 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.
NJ. 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.
Cen Chas. Grosyenor, of Ohio, Gen. John I'll.
Gibson, Of Ohio, and others. Governor Lucius
II. Hubbard, made q welcoming address on be-
half Of Minnesota, and commander-in-chief
Gen. Beath responded. Mayor PiIsbury Of
Minneapolis gave the city,s welcome, and q
response was made by Senior smnlAnder
Warner, Of Missouri. Other speeches and res
ponses were also made, squads ana battaiions
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
the streets of the ( y the scenes of the pre-
ceding day were re-eAacted, save that the thor
oughfares were more crowded and the number
Of Grand Army boys had been increased from
probably 10000 to *, 300 Wisconsin came up
with Gov. Rusk and ex-Gov. Lncius Faircbild,
Ger. Tom Allen, Gen. Ross of Washington (ac-
companied by six veterans without arms and
six with one leg gomez. Gen. VIM. Tecumsch
Sherman eluded the tsboys" who were in wait
for him and found his way to the
head quarters of the State OF Missouri, where
hundreds called to see him Their badges re-
called the remotest of states, from the Atlantic
~ tho DooiHo and from tha ipfaf7o fiopo 4 hasY,I
airy to the Gulf-the far away frontiers being
conspicuously well represented. At a late hour
Gen. Logan, Grand Commander. Gen. Negleys
and other noted officers arrived. Al large num-
Der of citizens surrounded Gen. Logan's car
riage and filed the air with cheers, which
were taken up and repeated by the veterans ut
the West hotel and in the vicinity. Som Of
The latter, amid cries Of There is Black Jack,
and natural as lifeli' added the suggestion,
oLet's carry him into the house!n and a move
ment was made with that objectin view, but
the carriage started of toward the residence Of
Gen. Washburn, Generals Logan and Negley
being his guests. In the evening of Tuesday
there was q "camp fire" on the Fair grounds,
attended by a vast crowd. The speakers were
9 little belated, but in due time Gen Logan was
introduced and made q patriotic speech. he
was followed by ex-Goy. Lucius Eairchild of
Wisconsin, Gen Warne, and others. After the
speeches many retired to their cots, but others
did not, and there was Emusic IA the air. 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 1900 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
ly about one-haf 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, not inclnding the drum
corps, seemed 10, enter into the zest OF the
thing. The blare of their trumpets was not
confined to the marching. Screnades and par
AIDES upon their individual account were fire.
guent Crowds gathered long before even
the advance guard Of the procession had
begun to form. Many q house top. was
crowded with people anxious TO witness
the grand spectacle, and the brllilancy
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 tho city BY the thnnders and
shouting that followed iteverywhere. The old
Minnesota battle flags were another feature
tina set the crowd roaring. kewis the REM
nant OF the First minnesota volunteers. hSny
Of those that walked have wooden legs, many
Of them IRE walking lead mines, and not . few
Of them were shot full Of holes Such con-
ditions are not salubrious, and, 10 Difference 70
the decrepituds OF q large number OF the vet
Grams. the line of march was confined to three
miles, this even being too much for some OF
item On the sidewalks, then, OF this con-
tracted line We're compressed the hordes al
ready spoken Of. the result being a squeeze, .
Jam, and a pressure, which only a steam guage
6f the highest test could measure. Al . SUIT
able point, Gen. Logan, Gen. sherman, and
other notables took position and reviewed the
column ss it marched The procession was
one hour and twenty minutes passing IA re-
view Some az the citizens along the lin OF
march, with rare thoughtfulness, provided
large pals and tubs Of Ice water, with cups
and glasses, for the veterans TO Stake their
thirst Is they passed BY. One q tne
most interesting and amusing features
Of the procession was . cavalcade Of .ssher-