The National tribune., 1886-10-21

d. c.. THURSDAY, G
thanks were then rendered to the Grand Army of
Portsmouth for their kind and courteous invitation,
with regrets that we could not aceept ii. But re-
ceived numerous letters from different parts Of the
Stale and especially from the southern part asking
us To hold meeting, or to be at least present If not
TO hold an official meeting.
At Ia late date I decided TO go 20 Portsmouth.
Mrs. Mary f. Thurstcn, Department Inspector,
Washington G.. H., with me. We called
meeting of visiting members on the morning OF
sept. in Grand Army Hall IN o'clock, and held
pleasant Reunion for an hour and half. The talk
with regard TO the work done in Convention
and work To be done IN the state. We were then
invited TO participate in the exercises of the day.
IL would take columns To give you an idea of the
immense gathering OF soldiers; there were thou
sands upon the grounds. Bailey Post ana corps
covered themselves with glory, and won the APP
probation of their guests by their unvarying kind
ness and hospitality. / think it never my
pleasure TO meet "A more wide-awake and enthusi-
stic Post than Bailey Post and the Corps is equally
alive To their interests. as well as my Inspector,
was received with courtesy. As were the guests
of the Grand Army of Portsmouth, and that Grand
Army being composed of gentlemen, we received
such treatment as ladies always receive from true
soldiers, and all was done that could make our stay
pleasant. Mrs. Thurston and myself were the
guests. Mrs. Kendall. who made welcome in
her pleasant home, celebrated her 79th birthday
few weeks before the meeting by Joining Bailey
Corps. think she is the oldest lady in the Corps
and one who j. beloved by all.
On the afternoon of the sth was invited to speak
the W ift.. ONO, ana was INTRO
duced 10y the chairman, Gen. T. T. Ewing. 1t gave
me pleasure To say word for the Woman's Relief
Corps and a kind and thankful one to the Grand
Army. In the evening "A reception given Gems.
Sheridan, RosecTans and Crook, TO which we
ceived a special invitation TO be present. Ii was
held in the lovely home of Robert PEBBLES where
we received "A cordial welcome and spent an hour
pleasantly, grounded by the heroes of the war.
As my time was limited, / left early next morning
and brought away with me pleasant remembrances
of hours spent "A guest of the Grand Army and
Womans Relief Corps of Portsmouth Commander
Duke, of Bailey Post; Mrs. Duke, President Of
Bailey Corps; DIR. and Mrs. Kline and Gen. and
Mrs Ewing with others Of that city, will long he
remembered with grateful hearts for their kind
ness, and may prosperity, harmony aud success
belong is the earnest wish of their guests-Sarah
NJ. T.. BattelS Department President, W.R.C, Ak
ron, o.
ALL ALONG THE LINE.
Mrs. Weldon President of Zion $ Bass Corps
Fort Wayne, Ind. accompanied by Mrs. Lincoln,
active Corps worker, recently visited the officers
of Forsyth Corps at Toledo to fimiliarize them
selves with their plans Of conducting n series of
entertainments for the benefit of the relief fund.
Zion :. Bass Post will unite with them, and il is
expected that magnificent success will crown
their efforts Comrade NOolsOn, of the Spice Co,
donate the ladies "a case of Lion coffee for their
commissary. Mrs. Gen. Young. Department Coun-
selor and Past Corps President, escorted the ladies
To various points of interest.
Forsyth Relief Corps, No. Toledo, at their last
meeting voted $40 from their general fund to the
Charleston sufferers in response To the call Of Mrs
Sarah NJ. T. Battes. Department President. The
relief fund they hold exclusively for home work
among soldiers families and the calls this season
are many. Forsyth Corps Is arranging for hand
some reception at Memorial Hall for Mrs. Mary f.
Bancroft, Department Senior Vice President. who
comes TO inspect the Corps at its last meeting in
October Col Bancroft has been invited To- be pres
en, and Forsyth Post will be there as guests of the
Corps.
at Bushnell ILL.,. Sept. IS, % 30. There
large crowd rs ever was known to- be in Bushnell.
Our Corps marched from the depot to the Fair
Grounds with the Post of Roseyille. President
Mrs. w. T. Gossett at the head. How sad we felt
TO see the boys of the Andersonvie Prison, and
remembered how they suffered. Among them was
my husband, who served nine months aud n half
q, ladies Of the W.RC let Us fight bravely for the
flag of the Red, White and blue. Long may il
wave.-MTs. a.. g. Murphy.
Mrs. Clara T.. Nichols Department President of
Iowa, recently visited the Corps at Mt Vernon
Cedar Rapids and Marshaltown. and WAS greatly
pleased with the evidences everywhere presented
of pleasant and efficient work auXiliaries of the
GAR Mrs. Sarah Iozier, President of Corps No
%. entertained Mrs Nichols very Hospitality, aud
the Corps members left their work of "A Saturday
morning for social meeting. At Cedar Rapids
Mrs. McConhay, President of Corps III, was the
hostess, to whose genial influence the good feeling
IN the Corps largely attributable. At Marshatown
Mrs. Nichols was received 10y Mrs Harriet Sutton.
and met the Corps ia their tasteful furnished and
decorated hall. Then the Corps accepted an invi-
tation 10 visit the Post ia their elegant quarters
and were warmly welcomed. The Bible on the altar
was present from the Corps To replace one that
had been stolen from the Post One Of the young
swung tue ihilHi clutf-.
treated the visitors 10 fine display of war pictures
shown by magic lantern.
The Army Nurses are still ut work. Miss Maggie
Monroe. Department Secretary of Iowa, in the
Grand Army Gazette, says editOrially: Aunt
Becky's genial countsnance beamed in upon De-
pariment Headquarters lately; usual. she Is all
enthusiasm. Joe Hooker Corps Is doing some ex-
cellent charity work.
Mrs. LizIbeth 4. Turner, National Treasurer,
writing from Boston Of novel experiences in the
Yellow Stone ark, says that they were overtaken
10y snow storm early in September. and that it
was the prettiest sight ia the world TO the blue
gcntians peeping above their snowy covering.
The Akron. o., Beacon pays deserved tribute to
the Department President of Ohio. W.RC., in the
following. in connection with the Reunion of the
9th Ohio Cav: Mrs. Sarah NJ. T.. Battels, Depart
ment President, W.R.C was next introduced and
made the finest speech she has ever yet delivered
Her remarks overlooked with love and devotion to
the men who sacrificed so much that the Nation
might live. She spoke of the going away OF the
gallant 9th and of many who never returned. Her
remarks were touching that many of the old
vets were seen TO draw their sleeves across their
faces TO wipe away the falling tears Mrs. Batels,
although just recovered from severe Illness made
beautiful speech and won the hearts of all pres
emit"
This is Ohio day In the w n. C., and we hope the
Presidents Of all the Departments will emulate the
The NATIONAL TRIBUNE account of how the
Fall campaign opens up with them. Mrs. Battels,
while serving as Department Secretary and now as
Department President. has always been quick TO
respond To our calls for Department news THE
TRIBUNE renews the request, so often made, that
Department Presidents will make use of our COLI
umns.