Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-01-29

MADISON, WIS, Jan. "a, 1885.

The 18th annual encampment of the
Dept. of Wisconsin G. A. r., was held
in this city, Thursday and Friday of
this week. Fully 500 soldiers were in
attendance and a grand good time was
the result.
The meetings of the encampment
were TO have been held in Turner Hall,
but The hall was insufiiciently heated
and proved too cold for comfort.
Through the kindness of the legislators.
the Assembly Chamber was rendered to
the encampment, and here they held
their business meetings. The election
OF officers for the ensuing year and
much other miscellaneous business &C.
cupied the time of the soldiers on
Thursday and Friday. The Women's
Relief Corps, an organization fast gain
ing support in the country. whose OBJ
ject is the relief of unfortunate aud
suffering soldiers, also had business
meeting, on Friday, and elected officers.
Friday evening a banquet and grand
old reunion was held in Turner Hall.
where the 500 soldiers and their fami-
lies enjoyed sumptous repast with a
rich intellectual feast for dessert. The
large hall was gaily decorated with old
army flags and bunting and presented
fine appearance. Five long tables,
capable of seating about 500, and
grooming under the weight of the SOL
dier's feast of bareback. beans and
coffee, covered the floor of the hail.
while the seats at the tables and in the
galleries and all available Standing
room, was filled with happy and enthusi-
astic soldiers. Lenders full orchestra
occupied rear gallery and stirred the
boys with old army and national tunes.
The enthusiasm of the soldiers was
without bounds and the hall resounded
with the stirring music from the or
chestra, the merry clatter of knives and
forks and above all, with The cheers
and choruses of the boys in blue. All
combined formed grand picture not
soon to be forgotten. The entrance of
Gov Rusk, and his walk through the
hall, called forth rounds of cheers and
applause, that testified to the esteem
and love that the soldiers felt for him.
After fully 700 persons had enjoyed the
feast. the regular programme of the
evening was carried out. Gen. Lucius
Fairchld was master of ceremonies
and announced each toast, and intro
duced the parties responding thereto
with a few eloquent and appropriate
remarks.
The glee club of nine male voices
under the leadership of Prof. Parker,
of the University, furnished the vocal
music and opened the programme, with
an old army song. that kindled fresh
enthusiasm in the soldiers. Mayor
Stevens then addressed the .boys" and
welcomed them to Madison in an elo-
quent way. The first toast, 1.-The state
of Wisconsin and its Soldiers" was res
ponded to by Gov Rusk and called
forth great cheers and applause. Major
e. q. Mayors recited the grand old
poem "Keenan's Ride his cavalry
charge at Charlottesville and the
death of Maj. keenan,. The Grand
Army of the Republic was responded
to in very pleasing manner by Gen.
Geo. G. Ginty. Col. w. F. Villas next
next toasted 1.-The President of the
United States in his usual eloquent
way. and paid a touching tribute to
Gen. Grant. He said the people of this
nation should recognize his inestimable
services to his country, by raising him
above the clouds that seem now to be
casting a gloom on his present and
future happiness. His appeal touched
the hearts of all old warriors present
and was greeted with great applause.
'Mary and her Little Lamb was sung
by the entire audience, taking the place
of a selection that was to have been
rendered by the drum corps. 1.-The
National Guard was responded to by
Gen. c. P. Chapman in happy speech.
Gen. Z. 5. Bragg toasted the frank
and File" in most beautiful and
pathetic manner, that touched the
hearts of all prese Mt. Mrs. A. r. Jones
then recited patriotic poem that was
much applauded The next toast the
loyal Volunteer" was to have been
responded to by Col. John G. Spooner,
but being unable to be present, Michael
Griffin was drafted in to fill the
vacancy, which he did in most ac-
ceptable manner.
After a song by the Glee Club, Gen.
g. f. Bryant read letter from Gen.
w. L. Sherman stating his inability to
be present. This closing the pro-
gramme the reunion broke up with
cheers for Gov. Rusk and for the C. C.
Washburn post of this city. that so
Hospitality entertained the soldiers. 1t
proved a most enjoyable reunion.
BE c.