The National tribune., 1885-07-02
ENCAMPMENT NOTES.
PAST CoMMLNDER-IN-CHIEF KoUNTZ on TIL
ENCAMPMENT.

PAST CoMMlNDER-IN-CHIEF KoUNTZ on THE
ENCANPMENT.
No one who attended the Encampment at
Portland seemed to more thoroughly enjoy
himself than the now Past Commander, John
S. Kountz To q representative of THE Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE he praised in the warmest
terms the hospitality of the citizens and COM
rades of Portland and of the State, and theex-
celent arrangements for the entertainment of
the multitude of guests. He said that he had
attended many Encampments of the Grand
Army of the Republic, but never one that was
in all its features, so satisfactory this The
number of old soldiers was the largest he had
seen gathered together anywhere since the war,
and the grand parade he thought had never
been equaled since the review at Washington
in 1865.
Myself and family" said he, "and Adj't-
Gen. Alcorn and family were the guests Of Col
Ed. Moore. / want to say to you that the hos
pitality of the citizens of Portland was of the
most generous and magnificent order. The ar
rangementS for our entertainment by the COM
rades of the Posts here and citizens generally
were more than complete, in fact perfection
itself. The accommodation for visitors in the
way of hotels and otherwise could not have
been improved, and, indeed, / haven't command
of adjcctivcs enough to express myself as L
would like in commendation. / did not hear
4 word of complaint from any quarter, and
/ am sure there was no cause for it. This was
the largest Eucampment We have ever had, and
don't see how the people of Portland managed
it as we'll as they did. The citizens We'd with
each other, as they did during the war, in do
ing all they could for the soldiers. 1t was
done, too, in such way as to leave no sense Of
obligation on our part; just as d matter OF
course, without any fuss or ostentation."
Ex-Gov. Fairchild, of Wisconsin, happened
to approach, when Commander KOuntz asked
him: "What do you think of our entertain
ment, General, By the comrades and citizens of
Portland? Have you heard a single complaint
from any source?"
"Most enthusiastic satisfaction everywhere;
it is the universal expression on everybody's
part"
Commander KOuntz terminated the inter
view by saying that he should entertain the
warmest feeling for Portland, and should al
ways consider the 18th Encampment of the
Grand Army of the Republic as one of the
pleasantest events in his life's experience.
THE OLDEST GRAND ARMY MAN.
Massachusetts reports the oldest member of
the GAR. in the United States, and one whose
career has been of phenomenal interest. This
is Mr.. VIM. Field, of Franklin, who was born
In the first year Of the century, and is, there
fore. almost S5 years old. His military service
began in 1880, when he was commissioned as
Ensign in a company of the I'd regiment of
Massachusetts militia. He received an honor
able discharge from this position, but was after
wards commissioned as Captain in the 1st regi-
ment of infantry of Massachusetts,. Later on
he occupied for several years the position of
Justice of the Peace by appointment from the
Governor of the State. Mr.. Field enlisted as
volunteer in 1862 in Co. A. 39th Mass and was
hOnorably discharged in 1865. He appears now
hearty, well-preserved old gentleman, who
bids fair to become centenarian.
PLEASANT MEMORY.
The loveliest spot on the lovely Little Che
beague Island, where the veterans had their
grand clam bake, is occupied by the cottage
of Mr.. Hamlin-reative of ex-Vice- President.
1t stands on bold promontory that commands
a superb view of the island-dotted bay and
the coast from Portland to the ocean. The
proprietor and his wife kept open house during
the stay of the comrades on the island and
assisted by Gen. Hamlin, son of the ex-Vice-
President and formerly A. A. G. of the Second
Division, Third Corps and several young gen.
tlemen and ladies dispersed generous hospi-
tality to all who came in the neighborhood.
The lunch there is one of the most charming of
the Encampment's "reminiscences.
Comrade C. II. Barker, gallant soldier, and
now the efficient Postmaster at Portland, was
untiring in promoting the pleasure of those in
attendance.
The comrades who stopped in Boston, and
visited Bunker Hill Monuments they nearly
all did-were fortunate in finding stationed
there as guide JAS w. Noble, formerly of the
18th Mass, now of the Boston police. He is
bright, intelligent man, thoroughly posted in
all that related to the battle and the monu-
ment, and able to tell pleasantly what he
knows.
THE COMMANDERS EAGLE.
In the procession Tuesday afternoon was car
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