The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-05-07
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
Meeting of the Society in Bal
timore, Md.
Lively Discussion Over the Admission
Of ex-COnfederates.

BALTIMORE May 6.-Baltimore today presented
more activity than for some lime past and there
was a great deal more decoration than was expect
ed and the streets were filled with people. Uni
formed men were plenty and everywhere they
were greeted with cordial welcome. Many were
here who bore the scars of the conflicts through
which they passed more than twenty years ago and
none more gIad to meet them than those who
faced them in battle To-Day at Wilson Post Hall
City h all Dushane Post Hall and the Carroton
and Eutaw Houses several corps assembled and
the roll call showed that many had dropped from
the ranks since the last meeting. Eleven corps as
sociatons took part in the reunion.
The morning was spent in organizing and elect
ing officers and each corps selected vice president
of the Army of the Potomac and resolutions were
passed W ich we're presented at the general meet
ing this afternoon for adoption of which asked
Congress take speedy action in carrying out the
recommendation of the military committee looking
to the complete vindcation of Gen. Fitz John
Porter, and another asked that the portion of the
to honorabiy discharged Union soldiers in the dis
tributionl of federal patronage be strictly en-
forced.
Mcclellan and of Gen. Hancock both of whom were
unable to be present Robert f. Lee Camp of Con-
federate Volunteers arrived in the city at 40 p.
NJ and received quite an ovation. Many military
and civic organizations arrived tonight to part ci
pate in tomorrow's parade which promises to be
one of the most imposing ever held in the city,
The business meeting was held at Ford's Opera
House at p. m. The house was elaboratey decor
ated and presented 4 handfome appearance. i he
stage was set as camp with tents and stacks of
arms a portrait of Gen. Grant being in the centre
of the prosceninm arch. Gen. Horatio G. King
corresponding secretary, called the meeting TO
order. Gen. King said he had been commissioned
by Gen, Grant TO say he was greatly disappointed
at not being able to preside the deliberations
OF the society @ 9 put snas DIS Sympathy ana heart
selected the place for the next meeting and Gen.
Vandervoort stated that the national enca mpment
of the Grand Army Of the Republic would probably
be / eld there next year, and that the California
legislature had appropriated S2b 900 for the enter
tainment of visitors, provided both organizations
came at the same time. Cheap railroad rates were
promised and royal welcome guaran eed.
Gen. Grant was unanimously reelected COM
mander of the Army OF the Potomac amidst the
widest enthusiasm and all of the other officers were
also reelected.
After the election of officers Gen. W. H. Brown
of Washington took the floor and suggested that as
R. E. Lee Camp of Richmond, Va. was In the
immediate nei9hborhood il would be both generous
and graceful TO Invite them to occupy seats on the
floor of the house and make their acquaintance
ami motion to that effect was made aud seconded
when two or three men jumped up and violently
opposed such proceedings one saying that rebel,
no matter how repentaut, had no interest in the
business of Union soldiers and that their presence
an insult which he could not endure.
nearly every man in the house instantly on his
feet Wing 10 make himself heard and for awhile
there a scei.e of wild confusion which threat
ened to terminate in personal encounters The
chairman vainly endeavored to secure order and
threatened TO invoke the aid of the police Quiet
was finally restored and a committee was apl oiut-
ed 10 invite Inc e%-c0heuerat6S 10 meet their old
opponents after the business of the meeting was
disp sed of After adopting various resolutions
the meetsng adjourned.
After adjournment the committee appointed to
invite E. Lee camp to seats the floor came in
bringing with them long sLring of men in gray
suits. They were greeted with great applause and
in return filed the house with the genuine rebel
yell that threatened to pull down the ceiling. The
ex-Confedcrates were scattered among the blue
coats and their officers dvited to occupy seats on
the stage. Col. McGinneis Of Montana welcomed
them with graceful speech to which Commander
Gen. Cooke responded.
brilliant reception was held in Ford's Opera
house tonight. The following telegram from Gen.
Grant read:
"Please thank the members OF the Society of the
Army of the Potomac for their partiality in elect
ing me for a second term their vice presi lent.
wish my health promised probability of my being
at the next meeting. L would regard it provi
dental should beiable to attend, but accept the
honor ihough, without the hope of performing the
duties of the office Wishing all the member many
/ happy reunionf l remain,
/ (SigDed) U. S. GRANT.
1 Several brilliant addresses were made by ex
/ union and ex-confederate soldiers. The meeting
i ending with the chorus of marching through
1 GeOrQia,'