The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-04-08
ALL ALONG THE LINE.
Address communications to THE NATION
ENCAMPMENT NOTES.
SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE CAMPFIEE-NEw
SOCIETIES FORMING.
TSdn Francisco Alta

San francisco Alta.
This evening there will be meeting of the
Committee on Campfire at the Chamber of Com
merce. There is every reason why this Com
mittee should become ia important one.
Among the vets there is lingering love for
familiar campfire memories. Usually the boys
have made Campfires since the war partake of a
bean racket character, with the accomplishments
of bareback, belly and coffee, and some
times with beer, although the latter is the SUIT
lers product and no portion of soldiers ration,
and should, therefore, be eliminated from the
Campfire. As part of plan for an enjoyable
Campfire, and one which will awaken happy
recoilections among old soldiers, it is respect
fully suggested that instead of serving the must
cal bean and its natural army accessories, a
fgurative foraging party be organized to gather
in chickens, "shOat," sweet potatoes, green
corn fresh eggs, corn bread, etc, and thus have
typical army feast lit to delight the paates of
the vets and bring back TO their memories
some of the joys which fell to the weary SOL
dier's lot when, after long days march, camp
was reached, and soon, over u blazing fire of
fence rails, the sheet-irOn camp-kettle was
sending forth grateful Odors to tickle the
nostrils of the hungry and half-famished vol
unteer.
1t strikes q veteran who has assisted to rob
MANY a en-roost roast "shOat not obtained
on reuuistiOns, and who has cleaned on the
cornfield, without permission from the owner,
that snch a Campfire would be far more enjoy
able than to sup on the volatile though nutri-
tious bean.
Another good feature would be to have the
plates, knives and forks and spoons used on the
occasion properly inscribed with the Grand
Army badge, which could be taken back by our
Eastern visitors as souvenirs of the occasion.
There is growing disposition manifested by
those members residing in this city who be-
longed to the various army departments during
the war, to organize for the purpose of more
easily renewing acquaintance with old COM
rades who will be here during the Encamp-
ment.
A branch of the Army of the Potomac was
formed some time ago and is having frequent
meetings, at all of which new members come
i'll.
The Andersonville Prisoners Association is
about to be formed of those who compulsOriy
accepted the hospitality of the Georgia prison
pen.
1t is now known that there is large number
of old members of the Army of the Cumber-
land residing in this city who fought under
"Old ROsey" and Pap Thomas" and society
of the kind could not be otherwise than pOpu-
lar In fact the matter has been mentioned so
often that the Alta has been requested to open
up the subject and invite communications and
suggestions from those interested, so as to bring
about an organization.
III Is uHderStoou that 'ne ihipoI tauI question
of how to organize the large number of veterans
who will be here is about to be discussed. When
it is known that possibly $4,000 of the Grand
ARMY will be here In limo of procession at one
time, the Importance of having competent Off
GERS in command is well understood. Fifty
thousand men is a large army, which used to
require men like Sherman and Sheridan to
command If the parade here in August will
be successfully conducted, it should be another
feather to the chapeau of Commander-in-C Chief
Burdett.