The National tribune., 1886-07-22
Department GleanInss.
DEPARTMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS,.


DEAR TRIBUNE: The past few weeks have been
busy ones for the executive officers of tie Depart
ment Grand Army and Woman's Relief Corps.
owing to arrangements for the National gathering
at San Francisco. The California excursion is the
absorbing topic and the plans of the railroad oi-
Gals have been so thoroughly perfected that the
journey expected to be one ofeontinuous pleasure
The comrades and their friends in New England
feel greatly indebted TO Past Commander in Chief
Van DervOort who has devoted time and energy
the past year in his determination to help make the
National Encampment Of 1856 a memorable one in
the annals of the GAR. Comrade Van Dervoort
has visited large gatherings of the Grand Army
and Relief Corps, and aroused an interest in the
excursion that no other comrade had the eloquence
ability to secure. By invitation Of Post and
Corps officers throughout New England, he has
travelled many miles, written hundreds of letters,
attended committee meetings, and responded
cheerfully to the numerous inquiries regarding the
railroad routes, expenses and minor details.
Through his influence the Departments of Maine
Massachusetts,, Rhode Island, Connecticut and
Vermont and a portion of the New Hampshire
delegation have chosen the UniOn and Central Pa
cihc Railroad lines from Council Bluffs to San
Francisco over which magnificent route thousands
will travel in accordance with his advice.
A special train will leave the Fitchburg Railroad
station Boston, at 430 o'clock D. July ~ passing
through the famous Hoosic tunnel and arriving at
Niagara Falls ut g. a. M. Friday, where epecia
range nents have been made for n days pleasure
resuming the journey late in the afternoon via
West Shore & Grand Trunk Railway. The train
will reach Chicago Saturday morning, where the
day will be passed in sightseeing The q. NJ. & ST.
Paul Railroad will then take the exeursionists to
Council Bluffs, where they will arrive Sunday,
july 90, and proceed westward over the Union
Pacific road, stopping two days at Denver and a
day two at salt Lake City. The Central Pacific
line will convey the party from Ogden, Utah, to
Oakland. Cal, which they expect to reach Sunday
evening, Aug. consuming 10 days for the outward
bound journey. large number Of the party in
tend returning home via Southern Pacific Railroad,
passing through Los Angeles, III Paso san Antonio
and New Orleans.-E.
DEPARTMENT OF OHIO. +.
DEAR TRIBUNE Among the pleasant things /
have had to record none Is more full OF pure en-
| joyment than a recent visit that I have made to
| the ladies for Grand Army night, was present Mt
the Bugle Call, an immense combination of attrac-
tons held in the beautiful Memorial Hail. erected
| as a monument To the memory of the soldiers who
/ saved their country in the of the rebellion.
Words fail to do justice to the building which stands
as a great lesson to coming generations, il bears
! on It's walls The names of all famous battles and
| Generals and noted comrades who shared those
| dark days together. For entertainment there were
| given concerts and fancy drills by the famous
| Toledo Cadets who won golden opinions from all
! who saw them, while the Mikados, fan drill
1 given by the young ladies, was one of the most
| novel features of Grand Army night, following
| Campfire addresses by most able speakers, belong
ing both to Grand Army and civil life Almost
| every afternoon matinees were given. After the
evenings entertainment pleasant hours were spent
| In dancing.
| In the Hall of Merchandise could be found all
sorts of articles both Of use and ornament which
were presided over by ladies Of Forsyth Corps
who winning in their ways. courteous and
very patient in the hard work, which is a part o
such immense affair being carried on two wee ks
In the Memorial Hall were TO be found all kind.
OF implements Of war; shot and shell, old flags
and innumerable things. gathered from the battle
fields OF the South and from the collections of sol
diers, memorials of the days of peril; all these
telling the dreadful story Of what the war cost tbs
| country
In the Cormissary Annex, busy hands Of thu
ladies were serving refreshments. Upon every
hand was to be seen the busy energetic ladies o
Corps !, aided and assisted by the comrades o