Connecticut western news., 1885-02-11

AA eAo ~ ROAV VI eAO AhoPVNSVA 6OhSA aI, George W. Keeler of Bridgeport, he says: ''Post No 60 O; Canaan is the ban ner post of the district; citizens regaru it as an organization of real merit" The report of the department chap lain is as follows:-
 HEADQUARTERS l |
 DEPARTMENT OF CONN. G. A. R.,
 CHAPLAIN's OFFICE, |
 CANAAN, CONN.,, January 15, 1885. | H. E. TAINToR,-
 AssishRt Aojutant GeneraL-
 CoMRADE:-I have the honor of sub mitting to you the following report of the department chaplain:-
 According to the rules of our order ] and the law of the land, the 30th of May last was observed as memorial day.
 The excellent system of districting the state, as established by Past Chap lain Davis, was followed this year. Ii is known that every town in the state was under the direction of some com rade; and from very full reports receiv- ed at this office it is believed that every town honored its heroic dead. The town of North Haven dld not per form the work until June IA In some instances the school children aud a few ladies performed the beautiful but sol emn duty. The ''Sons of the Veterans" were true to their name. Where they are not strong enough to organize camp 1t is recommended that all the boys of living or dead comrades be fur nished with large blue ribbon with the name ''Sons of Veterans" in gilt letters printed thereon. Twenty such were used at New Milford.
 On this day the women's auxiliary corps renders efficient service.
 The importance of rural parts of the department cannot be overestimated, as several extracts will show.
 The "Marvin Wait post" at Dayville, led 10000 people to the grave of Gen Nathaniel Lyon, at Eastford, on Memo rial day.
 At New Milford the day was celebrat- ed for the second time in the history of the town, and 4,O0O people were led by the Upton post.
 The John NJ. Gregory post of Corn wall Bridge, decorated the graves in the towns of Cornwall and Sharon, riding over the most mountainous roads in the state, distance of forty miles, to ac- complish the duty. In one of these rural cemeteries was the grave of Gen Ssdgwick at Cornwall Hollow.
 One chaplain failed to make report because he accidentally broke his shoulder where rebel bullet had en- tered it twenty years before.
 One fact which should not pass this encampment unnoticed is brought out in the reports. More than 400 graves of Union soldirs are unmarked by headstones in our state; S1 in Hartford under the very eyes of our Legislators assembled
 Another fact was strongly impressed upon me, that these occasions bring out the facts of local history, which should be gathered from year to year and plac- ed in the archives of the grand army, for the use of future historians. The Palmer post of Winsted has carefully prepared a roster of all who died from the town of Winchester. Thus those who lie in unknown graves have their  names enrolled where future genera tions may behold them.
 Of other events connected with this off, flee we can onlymention few. The camp fire with Merriam post, with thousand veterans in line, was only prelude to the presentation If valuable souvenir to Past Department Commander Hyatt
 The dedication of the soldiers monu- msnt at Waterbury was perhaps the event of the year. The monument Is States. Its design is original, its exc cution faultless.
 At Canaan the presentation of beau tiful silk flag, with pair of post guld- ons, to David s. Cowles post, by the sister of Colonel Cowles, was a pleasant gathering participated in by the depart ment officers. Miss Cowles lived but a few weeks after this event, she being the only survivor of tie family.
 The chaplain, owing to continued ill health throughout the year, and the press of other duties, has been obliged to decline several invitations from posts. Other campfres, lectures and addresses would be of interest to put upon record, but he will not take the time of the en- campment to read them.
 In conclusion, words fail to expres the profound thankfulness which feel, not only for the unanimous vote by which was placed in this high office, but also for the hearty cooperation of the commander and adjutant and all comrades of the grand army, in my ef- forts to promote fraternity, charity and loyalty. I bespeak for my successor the same hearty good will, the same soldlerly greeting, and for this depart meRt the same rapid growth which has characterized our department for the past year,
 God bless you and keep you true to our great principles, until the reassem- bling of the grand army above. Respectfully submitted in F, O. A L.,
 E. F. Atwood,
 Departlnent Chaplain.