The National tribune., 1885-02-12
THE GRAND ARMY,
Growth of the Order at Head
QuarterS--PoSt Elections.
HEADQUARTERS BULLETIN.
TOLEDO, o., Feb. 6, 1885.

TOLEDO, o., Feb. g. 1885.
The Campfire held by Forsyth Post. We'd
nesday evening. in honor of a visit from Com
rade Frank Browuell, the avenger of Col.
Ellsworth. and now of the United States Pen
sion Service, was the event of the week m
Grand Army circles. 1t Was regular soldier
gathering with songs and speeches over the
baked beans and coffee.
The evening opened auspiciousy by the pre-
sentatiOn TO Commander Coriett, of Forsyth
Post, by the Commander-in-Chief, of gavel,
brought by him from Richmond and made from
a beam of Libby Prison, in which young For
syth was shot by a guard while looking out of
the window. 1t was rendered in eloquent and
touching words in behalf of Comrade i. c.
Cook of Richmond, donor of the gift. Com
mandcr CorIett expressed the thanks of the
Post in fitting manner.
Following this Commander kountZ was most
agreeably surprised by the presentation, by
Adj't-Gen. Acorn, of a beautifully engrossed
commission, fine specimen of ornamental
penmanship, handsomely framed. which he
will highly value testimonial of regard.
Comrade Brownell favored the Post with sew
eral spirited recitatiOns and a speech full of
"reminiscences of the tragic event which, in
Col. Ellsworth's death, opened the war for the
Union.
quartet. composed of Messrs. Palmer,
Dane Babrock aud Arnold, rendered the famil-
lar army choruses with something of the old
dash and spirit.
Postmaster Bowling delegated to report the
Akron Convention, rose TO true eloquence in
his remarks, which are worthy of reproduction.
He said that he had been glad to be at Akron
glad 10 meet so many comrades there; glad TO
see so many beautiful ladies there. These
ladies had banded themselves together to aid
the Grand Army in caring for the families of
old soldiers: to look after the education and
instruction of their children. They are doing
q good and noble work. With such women for
mothers, America need never fear for her SOL
diers in the hour of peril. The time has passed
90 rapidly since the close of the war that it
seems but yesterday when Gen. Lee surren-
dered 10 Gen. Grant. Yet that short period
has been crowded full of big events. 1t has
been period of unparalleled national growth.
Coming out of that great conflict with unity
preserved, the Nation is to-day stronger,
grander and nober because of the struggle.
The States that were subdued in their attempt
to break away from the Union are III position
TO pursue prosperity in peace and happiness on
an equal footing with their cOnquerers. The
barriers of sectionalism have been broken down
never TO be rebuilt. Those who were allow
ing their hates and prejudices to keep them in
the rear of the spirit of the age are those who
were too cowardly 10 unite their fortunes with
either army during the conflict The same
courage that makes good soldier will prevent
its possessor from barboring uneharitableness
toward the conquered.
Judge Cochrane, always most felicit0us in
bis remarks; Gen. Lee, Chaplain Hoilington,
k1th Ohio; Acknowledgement Alcorn and
Others occupied the time and added greatly to
the interest of right royal evening.
GROWTH OF THE GAR.
The reports and supplemental reports of the
last administration are now all in, from which
1t appears that the membership of the Grand
Army at the close of Comrade Beath's term as
Commander-in-Cbief was about 256 600 AT the
close of the first quarter of Comrade kountZ's
administration the membership had reached
nearly 10000.
The reports for the LIST of January quarter
are not yet in, hence the actual strength of the
organization is not known.
The loss to the Grand Army by suspension is
70 be deplored-of the 10000 comrades en-
rolled under the administration of Comrades
Van Dervoort and Beath fully Is TO 20 per
cent. have been dropped.
But IN spite of these losses the Grand Army
is steadily increasing in numbers and the
Commander-in Chief is putting forth every
effort in this direction, and confidently hopes
TO show roster of fully 100000 comrades at
Portland. Was there ever such another gori-
Gus association On earch, 300, 600 old veterans
banded together for the purpose of helping
their comrades who need aid and protection in
their declining years, and to care for the wild
ows and orphans of those who fought the bat
ties of the Union. but who have since been
called over the river.
The only surprising thing is that every old
soldier in The land is not in this magnificent
army, which is the very embodiment of patri-
otism.
in letter dated the 18th inst to Commander
in-Chief Kountz, Gen. Sherman says: a. re-
gard the Grand Army as the best agent to keep
alive the memories and lessons of the war"
MICHIGAN JUBILATEs.
The Commander-in- Chief Adi't-Gen. Alcorn
and wife and Mrs. Elizabeth Mansfield Irving
attended, by invitation, the Campfire given by
Dickerson Post at Underwood's Opera House.
Hillsdale, Mich, last night. Delegations were
present from surrounding Posts, and among
the guests present were Departmt Commander
Shank. Asst Adj't-Gen. Stone and Junior Vice
Commander-in-Chief Pond; also, Mrs. Ella W.
Shank, Department President of Michigan,
and staff
The Opera House was crowded to overflow
Ing, and an elaborate program was carried out
following fine supper, served at 3 o'clock.
Music by the Hillsaale cOrnet band. Past Dept
Commander o. 4. James was the presiding officer
OF the evening. The recitations of Mrs Irving
were a stirring feature of the evening, and
splendidly received. Her first recitation was
The Drummer Boy of Mission Ridge" and
she was twice recalled, giving first 1.-The
Grand Army" and again humorous recita-
ton in inimitable style, Brother Watkins"
A GAR. Memorial Record was presented TO
Dickerson Post by Rev. i. b. Gard, from the
citizens of Hillsdale COmrade F. X. Proctor
accepting the same in behalf of the Post. There
were sweet songs by Miss Nellie Weir, tableaux,
patriotic choruses and toasts around the Camp
fire. 1t was the most enthusiastic Grand Army
conclaye ever assembled in Southwestern
Michigan. The Commander-in- Chief was ac-
corded an ovation, and his happy remarks fol-
lowing the Drummer-Boy" recitation were
enthusiastically received.
National Headquarters is now decorated
with a collection of ornamental tiles, presented
90 Adj't-Gen. Alcorn, while in GAINESVILLE re-
Gently, by Supt. Geo. A. Stanberry, of the
American Encaustie Thing Co. The marked
progress Ohio is making in the plastic arts is
well exemplifed in the decorative art shown
In these beautiful specimens.
The COMMANDMENTS Chief will attend the
following EncampmeGts this month: Michigan
at East Saginaw, Feb. IL; Illinois, at Peoria,
Feb. Is; Indiana, at Indianapolis, Feb. %.
FoRsYTH.
DEPARTING NT NEWS.
THE TRIBUNE has recently forwarded, in re-
Spouse to requests blank applications for Post