The National tribune., 1884-12-18
TIE GRAND ARMY.
Gratifying Growth of the Order
In 1884.
HEADQUARTERS BULLETIN.
IncorpIeteness OF the Returns for this Eear-Con-
neefiOn OF the Excitement OF the Presidential
Election With It-orders and Circulars.

Election With It-0rders and Circulars.
TOLEDO, O., Dec 13, 1884.
Adit-Gen. Acorn was not in a very happy
frame of mind when your correspondent en-
tered Grand Army Headquarters this morning
aud asked for rough estimate of the gains IN
the various Departments for the last quarter
Positively no estimate can be gwen" he
said; 1.-The returns are incomplete. Gains
are claimed in all the Departments, but until
more full reports are given, no safe approxlma-
ton can be made"
There is no doubt but that the excitement
incident upon the Presidential campaign has
had much TO do with the imperfect and de-
layed reports, but one so soldieTly and exact as
Comrade Alcorn has small patience with this
very unsolderiy condition OF affairs.
The reports from the various Departments
are taking Oh better shape and show gratiiy-
ing increase in membership. ONO Is making
rand increase, and Pennsylvania and New
York must look to their laurels il they would
continue to lead the Departments of the Grand
Army in membership. The Buckeye DEPART
ment is after Them and reports to October
membership of D, 900 and 500 Posts. For the
current quarter the increase is largest, and
membership of 10000 assured. From all De-
partments there are reports of renewed activ
ity and the COMMANDMENT Chief is much graft
fed with the gains indicated. Now that the
Winter has set in and the Camp-fres are glow
ing. and comrades verywbere have more
leisure ana the DeneHU OF tite IOHS eNSHlHSS,
the Commander-in Chief confidently expects
that not less than $4,000 will be added to the
grand roll of veterans
CIRCULAR LETTER, NO 2.
The above letter to Department Command
ers is just out, and gives special attention to
the importance of forwarding quarterly re-
ports. 1t enjoins the enforcement of discl-
pline and calls attention To the fact that in
the Departments where the provisions of Rules
49,,
ports are the most prompt and complete, and
the smallest number of suspensions are exhib-
tied.
Circular Letter. No 2, gives the reduced cost
of supplies for the current year, which has
been the result of competition. All transporta-
tion charges 10 Departments will be prepaid
and about 10000 blanks furnished annually
free
1t is recommended that Departments order
supplies from the Observation-Disclosures thus
creating small revenue for National Head
quarters Also, that copy of Rules and Regu-
lations be in the hands of each comrade, that
he may thoroughly understand the laws under
which he is governed. Attention is also called
to the fact that Rules and Regulations are
copyrighted and their publication, except by
National Headquarters prohibited Rank
straps should be purchased through the Quar-
termaster-General,t to secure uniformity Of de-
sign and official character.
CIRCULAR NO. Z.
The Circular, No 2, jast issued, is COM
piled from letters Of request addressed to Ma
tional Headquarters by comrades desiring the
sddress of former comrades. The concluding
paragraphs are:
P. L. Tucker has card from G. c. Washburn
Post, No. IL, Madison, Wis., When last heard of was
imposing upon comrades at Flint, Mich.
Loan no money to p. C. Mills, formerly of Robin
son, III. Last heard of near Cedar Falls Iowa.
By command of JOHN s. koUNTZ,
W. ". ALCoEN, Comniander-in- Chief
Acknowledgement.
HEADQUARTERS NOTES.
Adjt-Gen. Alcorn has received from Comrade
c. T. Harkinson, of Denver. member Of the Ma
tional Council of Administration. collection of
minerals from 80 of the richest mines of the
Centennial State. Among others is a rich speci-
men from the mine Terrible" which pro-
duced the silver from which was made the
badges presented to the National Encalnpment
al Denver.
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 9.
The following General Orders has this day
been issued from National Headquarters and
contains important recommendations, with i'm
portant reference to the Gettysburg Order, is
sued by the Department Commander of Penn
sylYania:
HEADQ'Es GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC,
General Orders No @
Il.
faction to he able TO announce that, notwthstand-
Ing the excitement incident TO a heated political
campaign, The membership of the Grand Army of
the Republic has steadily increased during the
Summer and Autumn months CongraiuIating
the officers and comrades upon this suspicious
suit he urges them TO renewed efforts during the
Winter season 10 bring into association all hon
oraby discharged soldiers and sailors who merit
our confidence and thus extend the goodiy inna-
ences of the Grand Army of the Republic.
IL AT the 18th annual Enoampment the follow
ing resolution passed:
shail ask for designs for small pin button that
may be worn and acknowledged a. a mark of mem
bership, and when design is offered that meets
lie approval the same shall be promulgated IN Or
ders and become recognized badge under such
regulations may be deemed advisable by the
Comln2nder-In-Chlef and Council OF Administra-
ton
In pursuance Of this resolution the Council of
Administration at a meeting held Nov. II 1884
adopted design, in the form of a button, to be
worn the left lapel OF the coat. The wearing of
this decoration is not obligatory. and does not take
the place OF the badge prescribed by Sec. H. Art. TX
Chap. V, X. X.
Iii. Owing to large reduction in the contract
price of supplies, the Quarternaster-General is
enabled TO make corresponding reduction TO De-
partments. To save both expense and labor to
National Headquarters il is suggested that requi-
stions be made by Departments for a three months
". The attention of Department Commanders
ts especially called to the losses the Grand Army
eontiIItiss TO sustain by suspensions which is
doubt largely owing to negligence and indifference
on the part OF Post officers Attention is also called
10 the delay Of Departments in forwarding quar-
terry reports which are frequently incomplete,
owing 10 the fact that Posts have not made their
reports 1t is the duty of Department Command
TO that Post officers discharge their duty in
accordance with the Rules and Regulations and
their oath of Office.
V. Departments Posts comrades having any,
thing to present TO the committee appointed
slider pending amendments 10 Art. ", Chap. l. X.
r., are requested to forward the same to Com
Tsde a. L. Ketchum Chairman, No. 402 Washing
bon Street, New York, prior TO Feb. /, 1885.
VI. The following named comrades are appointed
Committee on Transportation for the Portland
Encampment, 1885:
Comrade Samuel Wells Buchanan. Mich.
Comrade ]. NJ Hall, Toledo, Ohio.
Comrade j. G. Lineban, Penacoos n. II.
Comrade Thos. J. Stewart Philadelphia Pa.
Comrade j. q. Everest, Chicago. Ill.
VII. The Department of Pennsylvania, by
iution passedat its Semi-Annua Encampment held
call attention Of comrades of the Grand Army of the
Republic to the Gettysburg Battlefield Association,
which has been organized for the purpose of pur-
chasing and holding the battle-ground of Gettys-
burg, and Is under the control of comrades Of the
Department of Pennsylvania A large portion of
the battlefield has already been acquired and liz
held In fee-slmple by the association, and il is the
design 10 purchase the remaining portion of this
historic ground that il may he forever preserved,
and suitable tablets be erected To mark the posi-
tons of the various commands engaged. To raise
funds for this purpose the association has issued
stock IN shares OF $40 each, which, together with
fulF information can be had upon application TO
Thos. j. Stewart Assistant Adjutant-G General, De-
partment of Pennsylvania, l202 Chestnut Street,
Philadelphia.
A.,