The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-07-31
THE 0RA1D ARMY.

-s<es xss%s THE o1AxD A1kx.. ss~z rs e
Annual Meeting Of tho Grand Army Of the
|a,*Depublao at slGinnsepolis--An Immense
Gathering Of Veterans and citixeus.
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 sheltering and otherwise entertain
ing the army The old fair ground in tho
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 far
fnembered Six hundred and fifty tents almost
completely filled up the space inciosed by the
track. racewhile their snow white walls and way
ing banners make pleasant picture upon the
background OF the plain Here and there silken
banner of elegant design foated from the tents,
duu LldTkcU Guo VCIo u d 6UdO0 Uel0-
cation. In the town headquarters wore 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.
Sunday night and Monday, trains we're 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 were proud to enter
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
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.
M Rusk, of Wisconsin, and body guard con-
sisting of six one-armed and six one legged
veterans, Gov. Lucius Fairchild, of Wiscon-
sin, Gen Paul Vandevoort, post commander,
Senior Vice Commander Warner, Of Missouri,
Gen. Chas. Grosvenor, of Ohio, Gen. John H.
Gibson, of Ohio, and others: ~6bvernor Lucius
F. Hubbard, made welcoming address on be-
half of Minnesota, and commander in-chief
Gen. Beath responded. Mayor Pilsbury of
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
the streets of the city the scenes of the pre-
ceding day were e-enacted, save that the thor
oughfares were more crowded and the number
of Grand Army boys had been increased from
ohn1, To
with Gov. Rusk and ex-Gov. Lucius Fairchild,
Gen. 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 "boys' who were in wait
for him and found his way to the
hundreds called TO see him. Their badges re-
called the remotest of states, from the Atlantic
to the Pacific, and from the international bound
airy to the Gulf-the far away frontiers being
conspicuous1y well represented. At late hour
Gen. Logan Grand Commander Gen Negley
and other noted officers arrived A 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 1T
the West hotel and in the vicinity. Some of
and natural as life!'' added the suggestion,
':Let's carry him into the house!' and move
ment was made with that object in view, but
the carriage started off toward the residence Of
Gen. Washburn, Generals Logan and Negley
being his guests In I'll, the evening t Of Tuesday
attended by vast crowd. The speakers were
q little belated, but in due time Gen. Logan was
introduced aud made patriotic speech. He
was followed by ex-Gov. Lucius Fairchild of
Wisconsin, Gen. Warne, and others. After the
speeches many retired to their cots, but others
nearly morning.
On Wednesday, the day of the grand process
sion, it is estimated there were 100, 600 strang
ers in Minneapolis The parade itself with
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 tie
parade, many being physically unable to stand
the heat and the long march: The bands more
corps, seemed to enter into the zest of the
thing. The blare of their trumpets was not
confined to the marching. Serenades and par
AIDES upon their individual account were fire.
quent Crowds gathered long before even
tes ad 70 or Many the Rose op Ra
crowded with people anxious to witness
the grand spectacle, and the brilliancy
of the decorations of the buildings was
enhanced by their windows which were
crowded with visions of beautiful faces, i'll
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 a few
Of them were shot full of holes. Such con-
ditions are not salubrious and, in difference to
the decrepitude of large number Of the vet
miles, this even being too much for some of
them. On the sidewalks, then, of this con-
tracted line were compressed tho hordes al
ready spoken of, the result being a squeeze, a
jam, and pressure, which only steam guage
of the highest test could measure. At suit
other notables took a position and reviewed the
column as it marched. The procession was
one hour and twenty minutes passing in re-
view. Some of the citizens along the line of
march, with rare thoughtfulness, provided
large pals and tubs Of ice water, with cups
thirst as they passed by. One of the
most interesting and amusing features
of the procession was a cavalcade of ''Sher
mans bummers,'" marching through Georgia
and Giving on the country" Horses, equip
perfect fac simile 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, were 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, a 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
riors. .,
The first division of the procession was COM
posed of military, headed by large body of
police. Next to the three squads Of police
were the Twenty fifth regiment U s. A. (col-
ered band, followed by Company B, c, and ],
Smelling, comprising $50 men commanded by
Col Andrews, but in immediate command Of
Col Lawson; battery F, Fourth artillery, sixty
men, eighty pices, under command of Major
Smith; Mankato band, Second regiment band,
followed by Second regiment, five companies,
Col Bobleter commanding. First; regiment
line, under Col. Bend; Vol Toce rifles, twenty
four in line, accompanied by fife and drum
corps under Capt McArdle; Gen. Terry and
staff. Governor Hubbard and staff, Gen. To-
gan, Grand Commander Beath and 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 fiftyslx men, I'M
der command of Gen. H. P. Stage. of Cincin-
matt, 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 1000
men, representing thirty posts, all under the
command of the gallant Phil Cheek, Jr
Naxt came tho Indian dalepatea 90 in line nm