River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-03-04
The Camn-Eire.

The Campfire held by |. N. Nichols
Post No. 1T, G.. A. r., at Brackett's
Hall in this city last Friday evening
was in every respect a most gratifying
success. Hon. j. ID. Putnam, Post
Commander, gave the occasion his
personal supervision, laboring watch
fully and zealously to promote this
success, in which he was most cor.
daily seconded by a sufficient force of
capable lieutenants and aides, among
whom there was a goodly number of
the fair wives and daughters of veter-
ans. Though urgent invitations were
sent to the G.. A. II. Posts at Hudson,
Ellsworth and Prescott, but few re-
sponded to the call. We noticed from
the Post at Hudson, General Sam Har-
riman and Hon. Merit. Herrick; from
Ellsworth Post, Hon. III. b. Warner,
Hon. Il. l.. Nelson, G.. Manser, VIM.
Teare, Jr.. q. r. ThurstOn and NJ. Il.
Kimball; the Post at Prescott was not
represented, so far as we know, and
we wish to say right here that all of
the "bOys" who received invitations
and did not "repOrt for duty missed
a good thing. Tables had been pre-
pared at which there was seating ca
pacity Of one hundred and forty, upon
which an elaborate banquet was
spread; besides the proverbial "army
bean "a always a reminder of old times
q great abundance of everything in
the line of choice eatables that one
could wish, served in a style and man
ner that reflects great credit upon the
patriotic ladies who contributed so
largely to make this gathering the
enjoyable occasion it proved to be.
To indicate the abundance of sra
tons provided it is stated that after
feeding nearly five hundred persons
there was enough left to feed twice as
many more.
During the evening those who felt
so disposed INDUCED in card-playing, a
favorite pastime in camp-life, while
others were in groups telling and list
ening to "reminiscences of army life;
a practical illustration of putting SOL
diers in the guard house was given;
and the entire evening was character
lied throughout by genial social in
formality which acknowledged no dis
tinctiOn on account of previous rank
or condition that was truly refreshing.
The River Falls Band enlivened the
occasion with choice selections of APP
prOpriate music, generously furnished
without charge, and a number of patri-
otto songs were well rendered by sing
ers who kindly volunteered to aid in
entertaining.
Supper being over, General Harri-
man was called upon for speech. In
responding to the call he blandly stat
ed that he carried in his pocket con-
tract in which Il was stipulated that
should he grace this occasion with his
presence he would be well fed and not
called upon for speech, and after re-
lating "little story illustrating the
situation in which he found himself,
sat down. Senator Warner and As
semblyman Thayer were called out,
but did not come expecting to make
speeches and begged to be excused.
"Dick Bevans told good joke which
he had heard upon some big army Off
Ger, substituting General Hartman s
intended effect to bring the doughty
General to his feet for an explanation
and after telling good story or two
he soberly counseled his comrades to
make these camp-ires and social reun-
ions an especial feature Of the Grand
Army during the few remaining years
of it's existence, suggesting the ex-
clusiveness of the organization and
that even the wealth of a Gould or
Vanderbilt could not purchase a
Grand Army badge with the legiti-
mate right to wear it. Think of this,
old soldiers, and identify yourselves
with the Grand Army, admission TO
which an honorable discharge from
military service under the Govern
ment of the United States entities
you. Hon. Merit. Herrick responded
to repeated calls, briefly abiding
to the fact that Time is gradually dec
imating the ranks of the Grand Army
and that but comparatively few years
will elapse ere it will be but glorious
history of the past, as, unlike other So
cial and fraternal organizations it has
no subjects in reserve from which
new recruits may be drawn.
At about ten O'Clock the floor was
cleared for dancing, which was kept
up till a late hour, the old veterans
and their wives entering upon this
popular pastime with a zest that would
do credit to the ''young folks who
were with them but who little realize
the sad effects of the terrible struggle
which called into existence the Grand
Army of the Republic.
Notice.