The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-02-07
NEW YORK.
Ira II. Hedges, of Haserstraw, Elected Department
Commander.


Commander.
The annual Encampment of the Department
of New York convened at Rochester ON the
Both ult., preceded by parade of veterans in
which nearly 5000 men participated.
At o'clock the State Arsenal was reached,
and Mayor Parsons, of this city, welcomed the
guests. In responding II. Clay Hail. senior
vice commander, thanked the mayor for the
Inequalities of the city as offered by him. and
referring to the growth of the Encampment
stated that within five years the membership
had increased from less than 5000 to more than
10000 members After recess for dinner
Department Commander Reynolds delivered
his annual address. During the afternoon a
secret meeting was held, but only routine and
nnimportant business was transacted. At night
Camp-fres and receptions were held
On Thursday the report of Inspector General
Graham was presented. showing that 225 Posts
were in excellent condition and the balance
fairly prosperous, and Geographic greetings
were read from the New Jersey Connecticut
and Nebraska Encampments
At this point in the proceedings Comrade
William Rapson, of A. H. Day Post, Kent,
Ohio through George III Thomas Post, of Ro-
chester, presented the Department headauar-
tiers gavel and pedestal which is to be used
at all future Encampments. The material
composing this elegant piece of workmanship
are in themselves historical. The base in form
of a keystone, is of ash, oak, and black walnut.
The ash is from General Garfield's house at
Mentor and was sent by Mrs Garfield at the
request Of Comrade Rapson. The oak and wal
nut are from the house erected by John Brown,
of Harpers Ferry memory, at Franklin NOW
Kent, Ohio, in 1887. The gavel and center
piece in the top Of the pedestal are made of
American lockwood, cut from Little Round
Top, at Gettysburg. Conrade Rapson, the de-
signer and maker, formerly resided in Roches-
ter, and was a member of the 50th New York
Engineers.
At 12 O'Clock balloting for officers was begun.
1t resulted in the election of the following
Department Commander, Ira NJ Hedges, of
Edward Pye Port. Haverstraw, Richland
county; Senior Vice Commander l.. p Thomp-
son, of Phelps; Junior Vice Commander j. c.
Carlyle, of New York; Chaplain, Rev. Mr.
Ballou.
Council of Administration - Theodore L.
Poole, Herman Thum, w. II. Bright, /. Sam
johnson, and John Beattie.
Delegates to National Encampment--Joseph
B. Carr TAT large), A. p Ketchum, L. r. Steg-
man, Joseph FORREST, Il. L. Walrath, Frank NJ
Wilder, G. G. Parker John M. Farquhar, Henry
c. Perley G. A. Taylor, c. J. Johnson, John r.
Nugent, Thomas ]. Bell, w. J. Sherman, Theo-
dore Felsten George Donnelly. N. Cheney. ].
S. Roster, Robert G. Burnett, r. III. Sehoolay,
A. c. Brundage, NJ. A. Reed, William @. Hug
gins, George w. Robertson, r. r. Seeley, Lee
Nutting.
The new commander is one Of Rockland
connty's most highly respected citizens. He
was, when the rebellion broke out one of the
first to enroll his name as member of COM
pany +, 95th regiment, New York State volun-
teers, under the command of Captain fafterward
Colonel) Edward Pye, who was killed in the
war Mr.. Hedges served a long time in the
Union army, participating in much of the most
severe work there and finally returned home
with a small number of men who remained at
the front to the last After the close of the
war he entered into successful mercantile
business in Haverstraw, aud afterward was in
strumental in establishing the Haverstraw