The National tribune., 1885-09-03
THE GRAND ARMY.
News From the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Posts, etc.
HEADQUARTERS BULLETIN.
The Reunion at Fort Wayne.
HEADQUARTERS
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC,

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC,
WASHINGTON, ID. c. J
The rooms occupied by Headquarters have
now very inviting appearance The pant and
paper is fresh, carpets new, and the ornamen-
tatiou tasteful. The front windows look out
upon street, which is one of the livcliest in
the city. Assistant Adjt-Gen. Bracket occu-
pies delightful nook in one of these rooms
aud welcomes all corners with eordiality. The
walls are ornamented by a very interesting
collection of arms, most of which have been
gathered by dJt-Gen. Cameron, who Is MID
enthusiast on this subject. There are savage
looking artillery hangers, swords of scores oil
different patterns, Anticipated horse-plstois,
queer models of revolyers. and carbnes in in
finite variety. with flags aud pictures and vari-
Gus other souvenirs of war and bloodshed. All
these are tastefully arranged about the walls OF
the ROOM and enable the visitor TO spend much
time there with interest and pleasure, even
when not engaged in the business OF the Office.
The National Headquarters are destined to be-
come very popular resort Tor the soldiers WIS.,
listing the city.
The Commauder-in- Chief who returned from
the Fort Wayne Ind.l Reunion the beginning
OF last week, WAS much pleased with his trip,
although he returned somewhat fatIgued from
his long, hurried journey. He left Washington
on the Goth. reaching Fort Wayne on the fol-
lowing evening which was the third day OF
the meeting He WAS met at the depot by De
partment Commander Foster aud Staff and by
the officer of the State militia who was In
command of the camp. The party went from
the depot direct TO the camp, where the news
that the Commanders in Chief was on the ground
spread like widfire. There was an immediate
gathering of Grand Army men, and IN very
short space of time the comrades together with
the State militia and cadets, formed in line
and marched past the stand upon which Gen.
Burdett stood The reception accorded the
Commander-in-C Chief was most cordial, and the
cheers with which the passing military greeted
him were hearty and continuous.
On the next morning the Commander-in-
Chief again visited the camp, where his wei
come was as hearty as on the previous evening.
An immense tnrOng of soldiers and citizens
surrounded the stand, and repeated calls were
made for speech from Gen. Burdett, who re-
sponGed in manner which drew forth repeated
applause from the audience. Addresses were
also made by Gems. Gibson, of Ohio, and Man
son, of Indiana, and Department Commander
Foster. During the day there was procession
of the militia, cadets, Grand Army, and the
citizens of TT. Wayne also, organized into an
industrial procession. very interesting
feature of this parade was company of old
style huntsmen with their dogs and guns.
They were dressed i'll the traditional buckskln
suits, coon skin hats. and fringed leggings. The
of Indiana, and his staff, Gen. Burdett, and
other prominent Grand Army men, was really
q splendid affair." the industrial part of it being
particularly interesting. In the evening a
Campfire on an enormous scale was held on the
grounds, at which the Commandment in Chief of
the Grand Army, Gen. Gibson, of Ohio; Gen.
Manson, of Indiana; Department Commander
Foster, and others made addresses The attend
ance was immense, not only of old soldiers,
hut b .l,oir oh Il ran
there in large numbers.
On the following day Sunday the exercises
continued at the camp. In the morning there
was an address by the Rev. Mr. Wilson, OF
South Bend, Ind, who was prisoner of war at
Andersonville, and his "reminiscences of his ex-
perience there were very interesting. Later IN
the day a serenade by Koskiusko Post was ten
dered the COmmander-in-Chief at Department
Headquarters. The Post with its band pre-
scented 4 very fine appearance. Other Posts
soon Joined in the sereuade until vast crowd
of comrades had assembled. Gen. Burdett was
again called upon for speech, to which he re-
sponded in his happiest vein.
On Sunday night the Commander-in Chief
left for home, which he reached Oh Monday.
He was thoroughly delighted with the trip, and
says fully 1900 Grand Army men were present
aud that during the whole time the utmost in
terest was manifested in the work of the Order.
This Encampment was particularly notable not
only for the great interest taken by the soldiers
and citizens, but for the exceptionally good
order which was maintained in the camp and
city. There was not single case of drunken
ness or other misbehayior during the Encamp-
mcnt, which lasted from the 18th to the oath,
and it was matter of general comment by the
citizens and others that the old soldiers clearly
demonstrated that they were thorough gentle
men.
Under Commander Foster the Department OF
Indiana is in splendid condition, great deal
of the g dead timber" having been Topped off
thus leaving the Order in that Department in
far more Furnishing condition than it was
before. Although great number of Posts
have been dropped for non-payment Of dues
and also for not sending in their reports, still
the general interest in the work has been sc
great that there has been a very small shrink
age in the membership.
When the Commander in Chief reached
Headquarters he found vast pile of accumu
lated letters, which he and his interchangeable
Adjutant-General have been answering evel
since.