Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-04-17
G. A. R..
Assembling OF the Veterans Of the
War In Sioux City.
A Reunion That Will Long Be
Cherished In Their
Memories.

Memories.
Pursuant 70 previous action the Grand Army
encampment was held In Sioux City, begin.
ming on Wednesday, April z, and concluding
on the night Of the Sth. The day previous
trains on the several roads leading to the city
brought hundreds OF veterans. The hotels
were crowded and every available spsc, was
crowded with cots. The most ample provision
was made for the accommodation Of the visit
Ors.
The hotels and business houses were deco
rated handsomely, and On svery hand bunting
could ce seen floating In the lmild spring
breeze. The Academy Of Music, where the
meetings were held for the transaction of bust
ness, was gaily decorated and the Grand Army
motto was tastefully displayed above the
stage.
The morning OF the 7th every preparation
had been completed. Six thousand Grand
Army men, visitors and others thronged the
city. In the morning Q business meeting was
held, to which. however, nc reporter was
admitted. At 4:3o, with bands, the veterans
with the Sioux City posts began the parade.
1t made a grand appearance, as the gray
haired boys, with the old-time martial tread,
filed through the streets.
In the evening camp fires were held at the
Academy Of Music and at the Goldie rink. At
each place every spot OF standing room was
taken. Gen. j. L. Geddes presided at the rink
meeting. After singing "R.lly Round the
Flag" Chaplain Hoyt offered prayer. Chap
lain Lozisr sang several songs and recited an
original poem entitled "The Tenderfoot and
Hard Times"
The address OF welcome was delivered by
Capt. j. 8. Lathrop. The address was a well
come which came from the speakers heart
and reached the hearts OF the visitors. 1t was
a touching and beautiful Grafton and received
with merlted plaudits.
Judge Advocate Josiah Given, OF Des
Moines, responded. He was received with
rounds OF applause which was frequently re-
peated during The progress OF his address.
Paul Vandervoort, of Omaha, past national
commander, delivered an address, ia which he
urged the speedy establishment OF a state SOL
diers' home and said the legislature should be-
ehA cnS W. AotobCd hOuC uuutE
penalty OF death. He INDUCED ia enough pol.
tiles to ~criticise the present administration for
refusing to increase certain pensions.
The ladies Of the relief corps through Secre-
tary Miss Maggie Monroe, presented a hand.
some gold headed cane to Col. Z. NJ. B. Scott,
OF Ottumwa, as q token of appreciation OF his
services In behalf Of the corps, the colonel
having lost his cane ON tina ocean last sum
mer.
8. P. Jones, Of Nebraska, and E. e. Lewis,
OF Sioux City, made = few remarks. Comrades
Lot Abraham, of Mt. Pleasant, Capt. w. v.
Lucas, OF Chamberlain, were among those who
sang old army songs, and the X. p. band add
ed much to the interest OF the occasion. The
names of q committee appointed by Command.
er Manning, Of one from each district to meet
after the camp fire and take action ON the
Geddes.
At the Academy Col. Woods drum corps
rendered some fine martial airs. Department
Commander Lucas, Of Dakota, presided
and introduced the speaker Of the evening,
Capt. f. j. Cressey, who sa,d In substance
that she had not made any preparation for
addressing the camp fires but 1t afforded him
much pleasure to do 80 as the spirit Of
the day led him TO talk Of the love OF country.
These flags tell the story OF the recollections
OF twenty.6v years ago. Hearts we're tried as
never before tried In any country, and as q re-
suit OF the grand outpourirg OF the people at
that time from their love OF country we are
permitted to be here tonight and we'll might
We be proud OF our country for It is q great
nation, knowing no superior, though in its
standing army smaller than any country. The
exercises had here are not meaning
less but impress upon all the senti-
ment which should find Judgement in
every heart. the love OF country. Al old SOL
diers we lay no claims to your sympathy for
there were many ways to show loyalty outside
OF the army. Capt. Cressey here paid a glow.
ing tribute to the women of America. He
then said: Daring the past six months l
have Travelled extensively through the south
and have not foundm more true expressions Of
loyalty than In the city of New Orleans. When
l started south l thought It might be neces-
sary to conceal the fact Of my being a soldier,
Ses NAACiOnt AOuhu Y. DuTInR iii my
stay in Nsw Orleans and my travels over the
south, l heard expressions Of loyalty from all
sides, and Of all the persons l ever met /
never heard or saw, either by word or look,
any displeasure exhibited at meeting
me, a northern soldier, but, to the
contrary, l was warmly welcomed.
visited, by Invitation, the Washington Light
Artillery, an association that sent three bat
teries into the southern army, and they greeted
me as q brother and q comrade. lrecogn.z,
that they had opinions that had been born and
bred into them-it was their education, and
they believed, as you snd l did. that they were
fighting for the right. But when the conflict
was over they gave II up and accepted the re-
suit. offer no apology for tho southern SOL
der, but do raise my voice for the mar who
will fight for what he believes to be right.
Capt. Greasy then spoke OF his trip through
the south. recalling memories OF various bat
ties and places OF interest and stopped at Gen.
Grants tomb, rendering q glowing tribute to
that grand old soldier.
There was then rendered a magnificent solo
entitled II Am Dreaming and in the chorus