The National tribune., 1885-10-08
HEADQUARTERS
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC,
WASHINGTON, ID. &.
THE REUNION AT TOPEKA.


THE REUNION AT TOPEKA.
Tho Co,omander-i Chief returned from To-
peka on Monday night last where lie had been
attending the great soldiers Reunion Gen.
Burdett who went alone had a most delight
full Journey. On his arrival at Topeka he made
his way TO the residence OF his sister, VINO mas
for many years been a resident OF that city.
Long before he reached Kansas City the cars
began to fill up with Missouri veterans. There
was one Post from Warrensburg and another
from Butler On reaching Kansas City the
trains leaving for Topeka on both railroads
were crowded with old soldiers. On the first
day of the Reunion Gen. Burdctt was aston
ished TO find so many veterans already gathered
Oh the ground. The magnificent fair GROUNDS,
which had been laid OF as camp ground, even
as carly as noon on Tuesday, were literally
crowded with veterans and their friends. IN
the afternoon there WAS meeting III ASricui-
tural Hall, an immense building, which was
crowded 10 its utmost capacity. Here The
Commander-in in Chief made an address and was
followed by Gov. Martin, Department Com
mander Stewart, and number OF others.
On Wednesday morning there was a meeting
Of the soldiers by States, and lii the afternoon oil
that day the Comnlandcr-in-Ch Chief addressed the
soldiers of Iowa, and at a later hour he spoke
to the Woman's Relief Corps. On Thursday
there was a grand parade OF the veterans, to-
gether with the militia OF the State, under
the command of Gen. Carroll.
GEN Burdett says this was probably the
largest gathering of old soldiers ever got to-
gcther, with the exception, of course, oil the
National Encampment Of the Grand Army.
The utmost good feeling prevailed and there
was not single occurrence 10 mar the harmony
of the occasion.
What did you hear in regard TO the order
from National Headquarters about the Grant
Monument" queIied The NATIONAL IRTB-
UNE.
To this Gen. Burdett replied that there had
not yet been time TO make any positive state
mcnt in regard to the manner IN which re-
spouse would be made from the Posts, although
the indications were that it would be quite
liberal. As the orders from National Head
curriers' go TO Department Headquarters, and
then have to be distributed TO the Posts, il takes
quite a while to get them around.
What is the condition Of the Grand Army
in Kansas, GeEGral?"
splendid; the feeling there is to gather in
every reputable soldier who is not already
member The suggestion made in my speech
in regard to the subscriptions TO the Grant
Monument was received most enthusiastically.
There is no doubt OF tie success OF that project
in Kansas"
Did you fud any manifestations of in
creased interest in Grand Army affairs in
Kansas?"
Yes. The general rumor was that there
was about TO be second boom in Kansas in
Grand Army matters. | met a good many
men Oh the grounds, who came TO ne in the
course of my visit there and said that they
intended to join at once, and to induce their
soldier friends TO join. The Woman's Relief
Corps in Kansas is also in very fine condition,
and it is highly appreciated there by all the
comrades of the Grand Army. 1t seems TO be
in excellent hands at the present time. /
was received with the greatest kindness by
Department Commander Stewart. He was over
burdened with the responsibility of the great
encampment, but he found time to extend TO
me every possible courtesy and kindness, as did
also the other members of his staff.
:" / had also the pleasure of meeting for the
first time Mother Bickerdyke,' and was
rejoiced TO find that she was in most excellent
health and spirits Indeed, she seemed, in her
earnest efforts to find the old soldier boys
whom she remembered, the youngest woman
on the ground"
FRAUD ON HIS ROUNDS.
Comrades of the Grand Army, as well as
Others are cautioned against one Charles S.
Kinsley, late OF Co. ID, Sth n. Y. Ii. A.. who is
going about the country making false represen-
tatlons and imposing upon the charitably in
clincd. He is fraud.
THE ARMS AT HEADQUARTERS.
The collection of arms Of every age, nation
atty, and description, which has been made by
Adj't-Gen. Cameron, and which are tastefully
displayed at headquarters, make an exhibition
OF Understanding appliances which every COM
rade visiting the city should not fail 10 exam
inc. The following list, which is only partial,
will give an idea of the great variety and
value of the collection:
Pike, or lance. with curved blade, captured at
Fort Wagner, :. C., SEPT. G. 1853.
4. . naval cutiasses from u. S. sioop- of-war
Cyane, Mexican war 1876 'io; from Perrys Japan
expedition from siege OF Port Hudson La May u
toJuly9 1903 from Fort Fisher, n. G.. Dec. 25 1854
taft-FK al taszf al
u. 3 riilemans katie, taken from rebel prisoner
(La Tiger III Williamsburg, May :, 1862
Russian Dragon pistol from Senastopol (Crimean
war.
e lie Mats (Frencll) revolver, nine chambers,
and extra barrel for shot or slugs.
French Iouave sword bayonet, worn at siege of
Paris (i51ll.
German marine sword bayonets Basket hilt),
uscd 1893, ami earlier dates.
Z. = artillery sword from Gettysburg, Pa, July,
1868.
English sword from Waterloo QsI5).
FIini-lock pistol Qsl0 Virginia MANUFACTURED
from itarper's Ferry, Va. John Browns raidy
brazilian pepper-box pistol, twist barrels, from
Chickamauga, Ga, sept 49, 1868.
German dragoon sword from Lafayette Ga
June p 1864.
English light cavalry sword from Antietam,
U: 5. dragOon sword from Montgomery, Ala,
April ID, 1865.
Dagger Originally sword) from Canton, Miss,
July 10, 1863
Swiss short sword, captured from rebel blockade
runner, Tampa bay, Miss, Oct. IL, 1868.
nus idii lui4llLS SWORD, captured at Nllla
burg Va
French revolver
L. ;. dragon pistol QS55) from Charles CITY
CROSSROADS, Va, June 80. 1862
English Blnt-lock musBct I179l captured at bat
Tie OF New Orleans, La, Jan. g. ISIS.
l.. ). 1iInt-iock musket (Harper's Ferry Va 1922
used al New Orleans, La, Jan. s. 1915.
l.. y pistol carbine used border of Missouri
forepart Of 1861.
French fiiHt-lock brass barrel (cannon mouth
pistol, engraved embleus. Revolutionary war;
Hall brecch and muZzle loading rife 1int-Io
with bayonet lIo34).
Rebel bowie knive, made in the South used dur
ing the war.
Italian rapier. Once the property of Edwin For
yest.
Spanish cross-lt sword.
Boarding pixies (Farragut expedition
Japanese wo-handed cxecutioner's sword
Sharp's carbne, originally od-pated QS6I-65).
jerks Used by Union troops.
English cross bow, 18th century.
indian arrows from Custer massacre, Little Big
Horn River, NJ T., June D. 1876
Sc1Ilplng knives and cases (Sioux)
ScIping lComanche) tonlaliawk pipe, with eagle
feathers.
Scalping (SiOux) tomahawl pipe, with beaded
ornaments.
john Browns pike, from Harper's Ferry, Va
Indian moccaslns, various tribes.
Holsters and spurs. from Eelly's Ford Rapna-
hammock River, cavalry fight etc.
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
GEORGIA.
Al q largely attended Campfire of o. NJ. Mitchell