The National tribune., 1885-07-09
THE GRAND ARMY.
News from the Departmental Camp
Fires, Etc.
C0mmander.in.C Chief Burdett's Reception by the
Department Of the Potomac.

C0mmander.in.C Chief Burdett's Reception BY the
Department Of the Potomac.
A royal welcome was accorded the new Com
mander-in-C Chief of the Grand Army, Gen. Bur-
dett, on his return from Portland Tuesday
night of last week. Department Commander
N. NJ. Brooks and a committee consisting of the
Commanders of the Posts of the Department of
the Potomac were waiting at the depot when
the returning comrades arrived. As Gen. Bur-
dett entered carriage in waiting for him the
U. S. Marine Band played "Hail to the Chief"
and the multitude which had gathered around
the depot sent up round after round of lIsty
cheers. The line of march to Masonic Tenn
pie, where the reception was held, was then
taken up under the skillful marshalship of
Comrade T. r. Turnbull. First came the Ma
rine Band and Immediately behind it the gal
liant Veteran Corps, under command of Lieuts.
Edgar and Ramsey. Following these Custer
Camp, Sons of Veterans, made very pretty ap-
pearance, each member bearing an illuminated
Chinese lantern. In the rear of the Sons +"
came the "sires in the persons of the uni
formed members of the District Posts, max
ing in all a line of about 200 men. As the
procession moved along the band played
Marching Through Georgia." and some of the
boys thinking that grand old air ought to be
accompanied by the song, it was not long before
that idea pervaded the whole line, and the
night air fairly resounded with the patriotic
strains. The enthusiasm was catching, and the
crowds, which lined the sidewalks, took up the
refrain until the streets echoed with the thrill
ling notes. With the waving of flags, the dis
play of fireworks, the cheers and singing, the
scene was one which will be long remembered
by all who witnessed it, and it carried many an
old veterans mind back to war times. Gen.
Burdett had pretty busy time bowling to the
crowd which at every yard of the route greeted
him with cheers.
The reception at Masonic Temple was thor
oughly in keeping with the enthusiasm shown
at the parade, and many men of prominence
were there to do honor to the comrade who had
been chosen to command the Grand Army for
the coming year. On the platform beside Com
mander Brooks who presided, were the staff
officers of the Commander, Gen. Green B. Raum,
District Attorney Worthington, Hon. II. G.
Peters, of Kansas, and others. The hall was
crowded. The Marine Band and the Orpheus
Glee Club rendered musical selections at ap-
propriate intervals. Gen. Burdett was escorted
to the platform by Commander Brooks amid
tumultuous cheering. Commander Brooks then
introduced Gen. Green B. Raum. who expressed
to Gen. Burdett the qualification felt by his
comrades at his election as Commander-in Chief,
and complimented him for the invaluable serv-
ices he had already rendered the Grand Army.
Gen. Burdett responded in a most happy vein,
and was cheered to the echo. Hon. II. G. Peters,
of Kansas, and District Attorney Worthington
made the concluding speeches. After singing
Rally Round the Flag" the reception was
brought to a close. Great regret was felt
at the absence of Dushane and Wilson Posts,
of Baltimore, who telegraphed that the short
notice given them did not enable them to make
the necessary arrangements to come on.