The National tribune., 1886-09-23
GRAND ARMY OF CHARITY.
An Appeal to tn. Union Veteran. OF the Civil War.

lCharleston NetDs and Courierl
Two gray-haired, unpretentious- looking
gentlemen arrived in Charleston yesterday.
One of them carried an empty sleeve, q record
of his sacrifices on the field of battle. Both
were fine specimens Of the gentlemen Of the
great Northwest. They were ex-Gov. Lucius
Fairchild and Col. E. b. Gray, both Of Madison,
Wis, and their mission was one of love and
mercy. Gov. Fairchild is the COmmander-in-
Chief and COL Gray the Adjutant- General Of
the Grand Army of the Republic. an Associ-
alton composed Of the veterans who followed
the fortunes of the Stars and Stripes from 1861
10 1865, and who have since 1865 laid down
their arms and devoted their lives to relieving
the distress of their fellowmen.
The mission Of these gentlemen was to in
yestigate the situation in Charleston and to
report 10 their comrades if there existed ne
cessity for additional aid TO this stricken city.
Yesterday morning both gentlemen drove
through the city in company with a reporter
aud visited the various portions of the city.
In the course of conversation Gov. Fairchild
said that the Grand Army was an association
formed for benevolent purposes, Of veterans
who had served in the Union army during the
late war Its purpose was purely benevolent,
and il had from 100000 TO 100000 members in
its ranks. The object of his mission and that
of Col. Gray was TO look into the condition of
things in Charleston and TO report 10 their
]
Ii was this spirit, he said, which had prompted
the Brooklyn Posts TO offer the services of 100
veterans TO aid in preserving order, or for any
other purposes that might be required of them.
The Posts of the organization are scattered
throughout the States in almost every village,
city, town and hamlet, and these old veterans
are anXiOns 10 know il the necessities of the
occasion are such as TO require additional aid.
If ii is they will willingly come to the aid of
Charleston. The organization can act promptly
aud efficiently.
Alp. M. Gov Fairchild and Col. Gray met
| the Committee on Relief, which was in session
at the City Hall. After a conversation with
the committee and a full investigation of the
situation, Gov. Farchild issued the following
the Associated Press and which will be sent in
circular form TO every Department Commander
in the United States:
CHARLEsroN. Sept IA. 1856.
COMRADES or THE GRAND ARMY or THE REPUB-
Lie: With YOU have been profoundly touched 10y
the great calamity Charleston and vicinity caused
! 10y the recent earthquake. / came here your
representative 10 learn the exact facts as 10 the ne
oessties Of the people and to take such action as
\ the occasion might require
The situation is briefly this: The immediate de-
mand for food is promptly answered 10y funds
already contributed; but there Il class OF citizens
whose houses are more or less shattered, who have
no means with which 10 repair them: this class,
and those who, being houseless. have suffered loss
OF personal property require aid from abroad. Ii
viii bc To them "A continued calamity unless help
! l. rendered. The community here have done and
are doing everything In their power. A large sum
Of money Is required To do all that ought 10 he
done. This condition of affairs warrants imme-
date aud extraordinary effort. L feel confident
every comride is anxious 10 do what lac can TO
bring comfort and happiness TO this stricken Peo-
! pie. j therefore request Department Commanders
\ 10 call upon each Post in their Departments ut
/ once TO appoint committee which shall collect
such sums comrades and their fellow-ctizens, in
cities, villages and on the farms may desire TO con-
/ tribute.
The money should be transmitted TO Department
headquarters, whence il will be sent 10 w A. Cour-
| tenay, Mayor OF Charleston. committee consist
ing of some OF the best citizens of Charleston will
see 10 II that the money is properly applied 10 the
relief only Of the worthy and necessitous.
| LUCIUs FAIRCHUD,
| Commander in-Ch ief GAR.
Gov. Fairchild said last night that he could
say nothing more than is said in the appeal.
He and Col. Gray were both appalled, at the
situation here and recognized the need for lib
eral and immediate aid He was convinced
that a large sum Of money was needed for this,
and he was confident that his comrades in the
! North and West would make an immediate
and liberal response to the call for help.
Gov. Fairchid was General in the Union
army during the war and lost an arm in bat
tie. He commanded the First Corps of the
Army Of the Potomac. Col. Gray commanded
the 2sth Wis, and like Gen. Fairehild served
with distinction through that long aud fearful
i Ell lsruln