Morning journal and courier., 1885-05-07
THE BOYS IN BLUE.
scenes at the Reunion of the Army
OF the Potomac-GeneraIG Grant Again
Accepts the Presidency.

THE BOYS I'm BLUE.
Scenes at the Reunion of the ARMY
ofthe Potomac-GeneraI Grant A gain
Accepts the Presidency.
BALTIMORE, May 6.-This city wore holt
day appearance to-day and Oh all sides were
indications of the warm welcome extended to
the visiting boys in blue who came to attend
the annual reunion of the Army of the Poto-
mac The eleven corps associations taking
part in the reunion passed the morning in
organizing and electing officers Each corps
selected vice president Of the Society of the
Army OF the Potomac and many resolutions
were passed to be presented to the general
meeting this afternoon for adoption. One
asked Congress to take speedy action in car
rying out the recommendation of the Militia
~ committee leading to the complete vindi-
cation of General Fitz John Porter, and an
other asked that the portion of the civil SER
vice law relating to the preference to be
given honorably discharged Union soldiers
In the distribution of federal patronage be
strictly enforced. Several of the corps di-
rected that their vote be cast for the re-elec-
ton of General U. S. Grant as commander.
The mention of General Grants name was
everywhere received with enthusiasm A
number of letters were received from distin-
guished soldiers regretting their inability to
be present and expressing the warmest senti-
ments Of good fellowship.
The business meeting Of the society was
opened by General Fl. G. King, of New
York, at Ford's Opera House at $50 D. M
General King stated that on Saturday last he
had an interview with General Grant. s'The
old commander and our president" said
General King, "said he would use every
deavor to be present at this meeting, but his
L H..
eral Grant babe me to say to you" contin-
ued General King, THAT if he should not be
able to be present in person he would be
here in spirit, and his sympathy
was with u.s." General King also
said he thought General Grant would be
with us at the next reunion. Every refer
ence to the name of General Grant was loud
ly applauded. Major General Fl. j. Hunt,
of Washington, was then called forward to
preside over the meeting He made a few
remarks in which he referred to the visiting
Confederate soldiers. concluding: eve have
good reason to respect them" This was
loudly cheered. The secretary's report
to be s4,91s, disbursements se,67o
balance on hand So, 24S After this
General John @. Robinson, of New York
was introduced. He thanked his friends for
their good intentions to put him forward for
the presidency of the society, but said there
Grant. 'tNever while that illustrious soldier
breathes the breath of Efe," said General
Robinson, twill I accept the presidency Of
this organization. 1 now move that the sec
rotary be instructed to present one
ballot to the members upon which the
members are to vote and let the name in
scribed thereon be that of the greatest and
most illust1ious soldier of the age-General
Grant, Great cheering and waving of
hags.) General Grant was then unanimously
re elected president by rising vote. The
greatest excitement prevailed and the cheer
ing did not cease until after five minutes had
elapsed.
A telegram was then sent to General Grant
informing him of his e-election, which clio
tied the following reply.
NEW YORK, May 6.
To General n. c. King, Baltimore:
Please thank the members of the Society Of the
Army of Potomac for their Partially in eecting
me second time as their president. l wish my
ne meetng Would regard it as provdenta
should be able to attend but accept the honor,
duties of the Office. wishing ali members many
happy reunions remain, U S. GRANT.
A letter of regret was sent by General
Hancock at not being able to attend. The
following officers were elected: President, U.
S. Grant; treasurer, Major General M. T.
Mcmahon of New York; recording secretary,
Colonel II. G. King, New York; correspond
ing secretary, Major General George H.
Sharpe, New York; and the following vice
presidents. Generals Edward B. Fowler, Ma
thaniel P. Lane, James w. Latta, Orlando
B. Wilcox, James S. Robinson, William
Wells, Colonies Banks, 2. Morgan, N; B.
Switzer, P. B. Buckingham, John G. Healey,
]. H. Mcdonald, John H. Hopkins. San
Francisco was chosen as the place for hold
ing the next reunion.
This afternoon from to 5 and this even
ing from to open air concerts were given
III
lem Park and Broadway Square by the fol-
lowing bands respectively: United States
Marine band of Washington, First Regiment
band, National Guards Philadelphia, Wilson
Post band, Baltimore, and the Fifth Regi-
ment band, Baltimore. One of the most in
teresting features of the day was the arrival
this afternoon of the R. E. Lee camp, Con-
federate veterans of Richmond, Va,
116 strong. They were met at the
Union station by large committee
of citizens and portion of
Wilson post G. A. R. As the line of grays
passed the Wilson post the latter saluted
them in military style and shortly afterward
the Confederates returned the compliment TO
the boys in blue. All along the line of
march from the depot to their rendezvous
the gallant ex Confederates were cheered at
every step. The arrival of the handful of
Duryea Zouaves of New York, familiar fig
ures in this city from the fact of their hav-
during the war, was also made the occasion
of quite an animated scene at Union depot
The wearers of the oriental costume
were met at Havre de Grace
by committee of citizens who escorted
them to the city. They were met at the
depot by Company of the Fifth Maryland
regiment 1Confederate) and escorted to the
Howard House where they will make their
headquarters.
The society was formally welcomed to the
city tonight at Ford's Opera House. Long
before 8 o'clock, the hour appointed at which
to open the meeting, the hall was packed to
its utmost capacity. The music was fur
nished by the Wilson Post band. When
Marching Through Georgia" was rendered
and joined in the. chorus, flags
were waved, hats were thrown in
the air and the audience went fairly wild.
When quiet was restored Mayor Latrobe, in
behalf of the city, welcomed the members of
the society to Baltimore and said he regretted
the absence of their old commander, General
Grant, whose presence would have added so
much to the interest of the occasion. Major
General Fl. j. Hunt responded briefly in be-
half of the Army of the Potomac. The
he composed for the occa-
sion in which he refers to Warren Sheri-
dan, unconditional surrender" Grant
and Mcclellan. The orator of the evening
was Major General Calvin E. Pratt of Brook
lyn, N. Y. His Grafton a mastery
handling of the achievements of the Army of
the Potomac and was in the main a defense
of that body of warriors and of its general,
Mcclellan. He Claimed that McClellan's re-
moval from the army in November, 1862,
was due to political intrigues and that Presi-
dent Lincoln's purer intentions yielded to a
clear, powerful, aggressive and persistent in
huence that at various times had sought to
interfere with the organizing, discipline and
movements of the army. Speeches were also
made by Governor Lloyd and others.