The National tribune., 1885-04-09
The GRAND ARMY,
The Commander Chiefs Visit TO
Illinois.
HEADQUARTERS BULLETIN.
Adj't.Gen. Alcorn's Trip-Iionoriag Minnesota
General Orders.


General Orders.
TOLEDO. O., April 4, 1855.
When your correspondent closed HeadFuar-
tiers correspondence a week ago the Commander
in-Chief was in Chicago. having taken but two
days rest following his return from New Or
leans before setting ont again. lie reached
Chicago on Friday morning, where he was met
by Commander Freeman Conner, of Geo. III.
Thomas Post; Asst Adj't-Gen. J. l.. Bennett,
of Ill., Comrades J. q. Everest and +. ID. Loud,
OF his staff: Comrade Guy T. Gould. Past De-
partment Commander; and Comrades A. VI.
Church f. S. Capron, Ro5't F. Wilson and w.
H. Rose The Comman6er-in-C Chief was the
guest Of Thomas Post, at the Sherman House.
During the forenoon of Friday he was driven
about the city and shown the many points of
interest: and in the afternoon, i'll company with
Commander Conner, Adj't-Gen. Bennett, and
other comrades, he visited tie grand scenic dis
PLAYS of the Battle of Gettysburg" and the
"Siege Of Paris" In the evening reception
was rendered him by Geo. IL. Thomas Post,
No s. of Chicago, in which large delegations
from the other Posts of the city participated.
Promptly at o'clock the Commander in Chief,
under escort of the committee, consisting of
Past Department Commanders billiard and
Reynolds, Maj. J. G. Everest and Col. f. ID.
Loud, entered the hall of Thomas Post, where
he was warmly greeted.
HONoRING THEIR CHIEF.
Nearly 400 comrades were present including
the representatives of the eight other Chicago
Posts, Austin Post attending in body. The
large hail was crowded, and the regular Post
exercises commenced, showing the working of
the Post. with Past Commander Col. Freeman
Conner in charge. Nine recruits were mus
tered, and the Commander in Chief was greatly
pleased with the faithful eXemplification of the
work and the excellent discipline of the Post
SO apparent After the exercises the doors
were thrown open, and formal presentation
of Commander in-C Chief kountZ took place.
Commander Conner introduced their guest,
Speaking of the loyal men who, when called,
responded readily to save their dear old flag
and country, and when the war was over those
remaining associated themselves in an orgapi
cation based upon the principles of fraternity
and love- and who now number nearly 800, 900
men, all old soldiers. He took great pleasure
in introducing their COMMANDMENT Chief, who,
THOUGH VERY YOUNG
when the war began, had enlisted as drum
mcr-boy in the 37th Ohio and at the battle of
Mission Ridge threw away his drum sticks and
seizing gun fought where the fercest battle
country and valor.
The Commander-in-C Chief, responding said
that lie thanked all present for their gracious
welcome to him. and was grateful for their
kindness. 1t gave great and genuine pleasure
to meet so many comrades and in city which
was as loyal as any and which furnished SO
many brave sons. To-day all lived in a free
country and all in it were for its best interest.
Those who fought against each other, who were
bitterly opposed in the field of battle met in
unity and in friendship, and with one common
country. Many survived those fearful days,
and many chcrishing the remembrance met to
continue the glory of the Nation. The Grand
Army, the grandeSt association on earth sprang
from patriotism, and still continued as the de-
fender of the soldiers rights and interests and
the guardian Of his widow and orphan. Charity
is the great link binding ii together, and the
charity came from the hearts of the men who
formed the grandest army earth ever saw. 1t
does not seek to keep alive or foster the differ
ence of the past, aud all recognizing this are
proud of its badge, be they officer private.
Many old veterans are still out of the organ
ization who should be in it, and they should be
induced to enter the ranks. There all could
feel the friendships that came from the Camp
fire and the battlefield, and could rally around
the flag once more within the embrace of the
Grand Army of the Republic.
A letter of regrets was received from w. w.
Perry, Department Commander of Illinois.
ADJUTANT-GENERAL BENNETT
made few remarks and was followed by Col.
Loud, of the Chief staff, and member of Post
No. i, Philadelphia. He thanked all for their
reception to the youngest Chief of the Order,
only a drummer-boy, soldier, but one Of the
best Grand Army men in the country, who
had worked ever for its interests. He advised
constant charity and the keeping out OF politics
as the surest means of success A few other
remarks were made and the gentlemen ad-
jourDed TO a supper served in the ante-rooms.
Among those present We're James Everest and
: W. H. Loud, of the COMMANDMENT Chiefs
staff; Past Department Commanders Col. III. II.
Hilliard and Guy L. Gould, Gen. II. III. Thomas
A. 4. g. Bennett, Gen. A. l.. Chctlain, Col. III.
=. Thompson, Capt. G. f. Mattison, Capt. w. III.
Rose, Capt. q. G. Pierce, Col. III. d. Field. Maj.
III. c. Cook, Capt. James Donahue, Col. S. NJ
Randolph, Capt s. p. Rumsey, Post Command
ers Cole, Vaughn, Nisch, Brady. Sand, and
others.
DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS.
AdTt-Gen. Alcorn has returned from the
South, having extended his visit to Dallas,
Texas, where he instituted the Department of
Texas upon a call, issued to the Posts by tele-
graph, upon looking over the situation in New
Orleans. The interest prevailing among the
Union veterans of the Lone Star State was ex-
pressed in the very full delegation present from
all the Posts, and the organization completed
by the election Of Comrade W. ID. Wylie as De-
partmcnt Commander, with Headquarters at
Dallas; Senior Vice Department Commander,
+. II. Sturgis, Galveston; Junior Vice Com
mander, +. w. Bradley, Fort Worth; A. A. G.,
George w. Hynson, Dallas.
Texas has been part of the Department of
the Gulf, but the Posts have attained such
numbers as to make special Department most
imperative. 1t is estimated that there are fully
5000 Union veterans and their families now in
Northern Texas. Comrade Alcorn did not fail
TO make strong appeal for the Woman's Relief
Corps, and Texas is pledged to the work. One
application has been filed at National Head
quarters, W.R:C. Comrade Alcorn represents
the interest as developing at every point Wis
tied in Grand Array asa Relief Corps work.
Mower Post, New Orleans viii form a Corps.
GEN. q. B. BEATH.
Past Commander-in- Chief Robert B. Beath
was warmly welcomed by the comrades and
ladies of Toledo on his way to Minneapolis, to
be present ut the presentation Of the memorial
voted by the National Encampment. Wednes-
day evening he visited Forsyth Post in COM
pany with COMMANDMENT Chief Kountz, where,
after spending some time in fraternal comrade-
ship they repaired to the residence of the
National President Mrs. Sherwood, and re.
ceived q cordial greeting. Comrade Beath is
held in warmest esteem as one of the ablest and
trIest of our grand soldier Order, and his visits
are hailed with sincere pleasure. On the morn
ing of his departure for the West, via Detroit
l. l. a