Morning journal and courier., 1886-05-10
Monday, May 10, 1886.
GRAND ARMY MATTERS.

A Valuable Relic Presented to Ad-
 miraI FOote POst-The Bunnell's
 Museum Beneft-PrOGramme For
 the National Encampment at San
 Francisco.
 At the meeting of Admiral Foote post on Saturday evening two recruits were mustered in and six were proposed for membership. It was announced that the proceeds from the benefit given at Bunnell's Museum in aid of the Memorial day fund would amount to about $165. Last year the amount received was $1O1. The post gave Manager Bunnell a unanimous vote of thanks for generous aid to the fund.
 During the evening Comrade A. F. Painter of Arthur H. Dutton post of Wallingford presented the post with a gavel, the head of which was taken in 1873 from the hull of the famous United States war steamer Kearsage that sank the Confederate pirate Alabama off the coast of France during the war. The handle to the gavel was made of mahogany taken from one of the English gun carriages captured at'Fort Fisher at the time of the gallant General Terry's assault and capture of that stronghold of rebellion. Commander Fox very gracefully returned thanks to Com rade Turner for this valuable relic of the war, assuring him that when the post ceased to exist on account of the death of all of it's members it would, as requested by Comrade Turner, be handed down to the Sons of Vet erans for it's continued safe keeping.
 It having been ascertalned that three old soldiers have at one time and another been buried in paupers' graves in the town lot at Westville cemetery their remains were order ed removed to the soldiers lot in Evergreen cemetery before Memorial day, at the expense of the post.
 It was announced that an order had been given for one hundred metallic standards to mark the graves of the veterans and that they would probably be ready before Me morial day Others will be purchased from time to time until every soldiers grave IS thus marked, which will do away with the trouble experienced every year of searching the cemetery records to find out the location of the graves The markers will be orna- mented with the Grand Army star and being of white bronze metal will be as enduring as granite.
 Commander Morley of Robert o. Tyler post. No. 50, ot Hartford, was at the meet ing of Admiral Foote post on Saturday evening and at the request of, Commander Fox assisted at the muster-in of recruits. Commander Morley briefly addressed the post after the initiatory service was performed and express ed his pleasure at being present. He also complimented the officers on their efficient work.
 Major William J. Skinner has been ap- pointed drum major of Admiral Foote post drum corps and will at once proceed to re- organize it. Major Skinner's well known experience abundantly qualities him for the position he has assumed, and it is expected that he will bring the corps up to high standard of excellence in very short time.
 The meeting of the national encampment Grand Army of the Republic in San Francis co in August next is prominent topic among the veterans at this time, many of whom will go from this city and vicinity, some of them taking their wives with them. In view of the increasing interest in the trip we publish the programme decided upon by the Grand Army veterans of California.