The National tribune., 1885-10-01
VERMONT.
SONS OF VETERANS.
TIE National Eneampment at Grand Rapids.

GRAND RAPIDS MICH, Sept Ia
Many accounts will be written, and read through
out the country, of the grand Reunion of the Army
of the Cumberland and the National Encampment
of the Sons of Veterans occurring here during the
week closing with to-day. But ,nly those who have
been present and witnessed tor themselves will
have any real conception of It's grandeur, or bc in
spred with the vivid enthusiasm that stirred the
hearts of those partici pating.
No words can adequately describe this Reunion of
the old war veterans of the Army of the Cumber-
land. The eye must have seen. the ear heard and
the heart experienced and been III sympathy with
the event in order TO properly appreciate the occur
renee.
The magnificent display Of drapery bunting and
flags which profuseiy covered and adorned the
fronts of the lofty business buildings and elegant
residences of Grand Rapids can, and no doubt will,
be fittingly described The trunlpiai arches which
spaHned the principal streets of this beautiful
Michigan city with their brilliantly illuminated
words of welcome to the Army OF the Cumberland
and to the Sons of Veterans; the unvailing of tho
beautiful white bronze fountain monument dedi-
Gated TO the dead and living soldiers of the Union
the grand procession, made up of b GAR. Posts
IN full aud over l,6OD comrades from other Posts,
and about 800 Sons Of Veterans in the uniform Of
their Order and carrying rifles 300 veterans of the
Sd Mich. Cav. (mouRicd) about 80 carriages CON
tanning the distinguished members Of the Army of
the Cumberland aad other distinguished soldiers
All under the control of Marshal Hastings and his
3Z mounted Aids wearing white plug hats, and
corted by five companies of the State militia; the
grand march and the review by Gen. Sheridan;
the magnificent banquet of the veterans at Lucas
Hall, where $50 Grand Army boys seated them
selves To a sUmptuous feast with Gen Sheridan sd
the center OF the principal table the preferred
guest of the occsioni the appropriate toasts and
respOnSeS-ail these can and undoubtedly viii tie
appropriately set forth by the reporters; but the
occasion i;self-the reunion of comrades and the
revival OF memories born Of the battlefield, the
prson-peu and the marciI-who Is sufficient unto
these things? Certainly not the writer, is it
any part of his undertaking TO attempt them.
To give some account Of the proceedings of the
fourth annual Encampment Of the CommanClery-
in-Chicf of the Sons of Veterans of the United
States is the cndeavor of this communication.
1t was happy thought that suggested the hold
ing of the National Encampment Of the Sons at
Grand Rapids at the time when the Army of the
Cumberland should be having It's Reunion here.
To witness this Reunion Of their soldier sires has
given inspiration 10 the Sons that will be as 4
new lease Of life to their Order-a spark kindling
anew the fires of patriotism ia the hearts of the
sons that Will burn aircsh to emulate the deeds of
their siTcs and 10 peTpctustc the memory of their
Valor.
Early on Wednesday morning the trains ap-
preaching Grand Rapids brought from the various
States of the Union delegates representing the
Grand and State Divisions of the Order throughout
the country.
During the first two days OF the Encampment
but very little was done except in the way of
niiitee work. And il is not 10 be wondered at.
The Reunion oi the old war-worn veterans of the
Army of the Cumberland WAS in full proceeding
and TO the Sons this living presence of the sres-
10 honor whom the Order of the Sons of Veterans
was organized seemed as something hallowed,
commanding them 10 be quiet.
On Friday morning. however, the Commandery
settled down To actual work, and the rCll call
showed the following officers and members pres
ent: Commander-in-CliefH II. W. Arnold Johns
town, Pa; Lieut. COMMANDMENTS Chief. III. Il.
Perkins Manchester, n. IL; Vice Leut.-Com-
mander-in- Chief ]. h. MacCabe, Boston, Mass;
Adj't-Gen. J. r. NJ Linton, Johnstown Pa; q. NJ.
Gen, w. H. Stater, Johnstown, Pa; Chief of staff
4. T. Case, Chicago, H.; Chief Mastering Officer
Geo w. Penninian, Minneapolis, Mimi; Inspector
General q. Day Rudy, Altoona, Pa; Judge Advo-
cate +. w. RowlsoH, Grand Rapids, Mich; Chap.
o. i. Haylord, Lcwigtou, Me. Life Members. r. NJ.
Reed, Philadelphia. Pa 4. i. Davis. Pittsburg
Pa Counci-in- Chief, John G. Blake, Maine; II.
i. Guerin. Ohio; q. w. Penniman. Minnesota; X.
The States were represented as follows: Cunnecti-
cut, l.. II. Burpee, Waterbury; Illinois, Chas. l..
Mooney. l.. Il. Roe, Springfield Indiana, Ed. NJ
Wilkinson, Wabash; Iowa, e. q. Worden. J. $.
Rollins, Grinnell Mime ii. L. Wright Auburn;
Massachusetts III. w. Batcheder, ii. i. Kent,
Salem; Michigan. L. A. Baker. w. A. Moore,
Grand Rapids; Minnesota E. III. AIilham. ST. Paul
E. NJ. Van Cieve, Minneapolis; Missouri, j. j.
Speaker, B. Il. Speaker, independence; New York,
i. w. Rohier, III. III. Wincheli, Utica; Ohio Wal
ter 5. Payne, Fostoria Edgar *. Vincent, Column
bus; Pennsy sylvauia-Eastern Division, III. III.
Hammer, Reading, g. NJ. Paul, Northumberland,
j.. V. Ranch, Mahonoy City, Il. J. Smith. Harris
burg; Western Division, w. ID. Thomas, Pittsburg.
After transacting some business of IL nature not
public, the annual reports of officers were called
for and given 10 the Encampment in proper order.
THE REPORT OF CoMMANDER-IN- CHIEF ARNOLD
was a most interesting feature of the Encalnpment
and gave evidence of the ability and self-sacricing
devotion he has brought TO the service of the Order
during the past year He congratulated the Com
mandery on the prosperous condition and brighten
ing prospects of the Order. and said lie believed
we have shown The people that we have come 10
stay. He congratulated the Order that criticism is
being rapidly discarded, and said we should
congratulate ourselves upon the fact that
now recognized by all as an organization which is
the most unselfish and patriotic that our country