Morning journal and courier., 1885-05-09
THE OLD CAMP GROUND.
Some of the Spirited Scenes at Halt
 mOre-NeW Haven Men-Memoria

Some of the Spirited Scenes at Balti-
 mOre-NeW Haven Men-Memories
 of the Past-Union Commanders.
 Hon. Joseph D. Plunkett, Dr. Bissen and Colonel John, G. Healey have been attending the annual reunion of the Army of the Poto- mac in Baltimore, Md. They returned to this city yesterday morning. MT. Plunkett and Dr. Bissen left New Haven together last Saturday; the former spent Monday and Tuesday in Washington. In regard to the petition which it was reported MT. Plunkett intended to present to President Cleveland, he says that he had nothing of the kind to present, but simply visited Washington on business as attorney.
 On Tuesday they arrived in Baltimore, I which was profusely decorated in honor of the occasion. The business meetings were held in Ford's Opera House. When General Grant was elected president the air was filled with shouts and strains of music. rousing of Confederate veterans when they entered the opera house. In the evening De Witt c. Sprague, formerly of New Haven, read g poem. He was Twenty O. V. man and well known here.
 Ex-Senator Plunkett's party left Baltimore Thursday night, as they did not have time to stay to the grand banquet. Dr. Bissell at meeting of the Twelfth Army corps was unanimously elected to rep resent the corps as one of tine ce-presidents of the Army of the Potomac. He declined in favor of Colonel Philo Buckingham, of the Twentieth c. ", an old veteran of this city. Mir. Buckingham was elected. Los ~ of fho casion, was for years resident of this city, and hss been employed in one of the govern mental departments for 8 number of years past. His poem takes up the story of the war, starting with reference to the bloody battles of the Wilderness fought 21 years ago this month, the bravery and patriotism of the Potomac army and the dark scene of des- olation and sorrow, and proceeds to eulogize on the Union commanders who were proml nent i'll the bloody fray, capping this canto with reference to Unconditional Surrender Grant" The second and third cantos pay tribute to General Grant as follows: o, laureled Grant, The nations chosen
 To lead to victory her loyal hoit!
 In all her proud array she cannot boast protIder name than thine thou favorite son! An, how the nation stood with bated breath
 When but few brief weeks agone the vail
 Was through it borne as on an icy gale: Grants dying! nearing fast the realm of death! All eyes were turned toward his suffering bed
 All hearts beat wildly between hope and fears,
 And many cheek accustomed not to tears Was wet and pale. and strong naen bowed the head And many anxious days and nights then sped
 Fraught with a sad impenetrabie gloom,
 Till the dread Angel with the sable plume, Spread his black wing and, for the present, fled. That he return not soon, o let us pray!
 And hope that our beloved and honored chief
 May soon from all afihct1on find relief,
 And long in health among his people stay. But we remember now that gloomy past,
 That era pregnant with the nations fate,
 When the distracted and impered State On him her trembling hope co1fiding cast
 How.nobly he the mighty burden bore,
 UnmoYed by wrong or clamorous discontent,
 Inf1eXibe in his great purpose on he went, To win matchless fame for evermore.
 Even his patience-how sublime!-revealed
 His greatness Silent and sure, on ana on
 He went, from the stormed walls of Donai iason, Till Appomattox all his glory sealed.
 The plaudits Sf ius Nation. saved and free -CTa25 bears the hope of all humanity,
 For this he fought, twas freedoms sacred cause.
 His sword was drawn by duty's stern command.
 Not for unholy conquest, self-renown,
 Not for conqueror'S stained ingloriouS crown, Albeit his praise by all the world is sung Thy course was glorious, and thy honorsd name
 Will live in all the world throughout all time,
 Preserved among the great and good and deeds
 sublime,
 In Freedoms storied temple there by Fame
 The concluding verses pay tribute to Nc Clellan and add words of injunction appro- priate to Decoration day, and in conclusion ''the gallant men who wore the gray" are honored and peace, liberty, progress and justice are invoked to stand by this land of the free and home of the brave.