The Portland daily press., 1884-10-23

The Coming National Eneampment.

Department Commander Benjamin Williams
of the Grand Army has issued the following
circular:
Next June the National Encampmeut of the
Grand Army of the Republic will meet in
Portland and it will probably attract the larg-
est gathering of people ever assembled in this
State. 1t is estimated that more than 10000
of the veterans of the late war, will meet on
this occasion. All the loyal States will be
largely represented and even far off California
promises to send large delegation. To pro-
vide happily and properly for this immense
gathering, will ba serious task, and already
at this early day, the Leading soldiers OF the
State are looking over its resources and prepar-
ing programme that will honor the State and
her guests While the greater part of the laoor
must necessarily fall to tae city of Portland,
and especially to BosTorth and Thatcher
Posts from other Posts and cities come worGs
OF encouragement and protfers of aid.
Through the adjutans general of our Stat-,
whose .ong service has pat him familiar
terms with officers at the national capital, We
shall be enabled TO obtain from the war de.
partment of the UHited States, many iaVoEs,
and TO borrow much material required by tae
encamDment.
But be ides these loans the expenses of the
entertainment will be very large aud far be-
yond the meaus of the Grand Army of this
State. And as this will undoubtedly be the
only time the Grand Army will ever hold its
national eucampment in this State, the Legis'
lalure will be called upon to granG subsidy TO
assist our citizens in giving grateful and
hearty welcome to the veterans who fought
the battles of the rebellion.
Twenty five years hence the Grand Army
will cease 60 exist, or consist of a handful of
invalids and iu the mean time it will not
probably again visit Maine, as the great cen
tral cities of the country offer greater attrac-
tons and facilities TO the soldiers now fast be-
coming infirm from age. By the advice of
prominent comrades from different sections of
the State, meeting was held at Department
headquarters, to which were invited every past
department commander and one comrade from
each post. This meeting, composed of our
very best men, advised the appointment of an
executive committee of nine, 10 which were
added Comrade G. A. Coombs of Bath, and
five from Portland to be selected from Bos-
worth and Thatcher posts, and the first three
department officers.
The following appointments are therefore
announced Comrades Frederick Robie, Geo.
L. Beal, 1. s. Bangs, A. @. Hamlin, Selden
Connor, A. w. Wilde, G. B. Merrill, @. W.
Merrill, @. W. Roberts, Whitman Sawyer, A.
M. SAWYER, S. w. Lane, j. S. Anderson, B. b.
Murray, Jr., G. A. Coombs, Geo. FL. Blake.
This committee which has power to add to
its number and appoint subcommittee, will
report progress to the council of administra-
| ton as called upon. Its first meeting will be
held in the CITY of Portland on Monday eve
| ming, October 9th inst, at 7 o'clock, at the
| Falmouth Hotel.
Comrades, every post in the department is
interested in the success of our efforts to make
| the 18th National Encampment the grandest
| reunion in the history of our order.
| BENZ. WILLIAMS,
Department Commander.
| A. j. CROCKETT,
| Assistant Adjutant General.