Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-11
THE G. A. K. ENCAMPMENT.
A Gala Day at olumbus-Thousand Of
Visitors Arriving.

COLUMBUS, O., Sept 10.-The week of the
twenty-third annual encampment of the
Grand Army of the Republic has arrived
and Columbus is ready for it. For many
weeks preparations have been actively
under way and the immense crowds that
are hurrying into the city on every train
and from every part of the country find
flags, streamers, arches, Grand Army and
other veteran organization emblems on
every hand. The union depot is gay with
streamers, High street alive with patriot
ism, and every store and factory gay with
bunting. A dozen handsomes arches span
the street and under the sea dur
ing the whole day have been march
ing newly arriving posts of the
long there has been the sound of fife and
drum and the solid tramp of feet as the
veterans in heavy columns marched from
their trains to the quarters assigned to
them. Quarters have been provided for
something like 10000 more than have yet
announced their purpose of attending, and
there is no danger of overcrowding. The
veterans are in four camps. The main
one is known as Camp Neil and is located
east of the union depot. Commander Neil
and staff are in command and have head
quarters in South Camp Neil. Camp
Dennison is in charge of Commander
Jeffreys and is located in northwest
Columbus. Camp Hayden: where
quarters are also provided for ladies,
is on East Broad street and the big
tent camp, where the army of West Vir-
ginia holds forth, is also on East Broad
street. In all of these camps ample sleep
ing and dining arrangements have been
made and the veterans announce them
selves well pleased with the outlook for
81, T., b,, 1,,- Sc So.
moderately warm and the rain of the last
few days has laid the dust and made
travelling and camping enjoyable. The
posts are arriving at all hours in great
numbers, many of them being present
almost IN a body. Davenport, Ia. post
has arrived and were followed by
the post from Newport, Ky.
This morning early departments
from Colorado, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas,
Minnesota and MARYLAND arrived, many of
the trains being gaily decorated and bear
ing inscriptions in praise OF home towns
or concerning old army matters. AT 10
o'clock delegations from New Hampshire.
Massachusetts, and Rhode Island arrived
in eleven sleepers and two passenger
coaches. At the camps there are lively
scenes as the newly arriving delegations
seek their quarters. and those who have
been already treated make themselves at
home in the same way that they did dur
ing the war. Practical jokes viii be in
order tonight. and at all times the meet
ing of old comrades is the signal for long
talks in review of the times so hard to en-
dure but so pleasant to recall with the
friendships then formed.
A great many delegates 10 the Woman's
National Relief corps are arriving and be
ing cared for at the headquarters of that
organization. New York sent the largest
delegation. and representatives are also
present from Missouri, Kansas and Penn
sylvania Three delegates are present
from Texarkapa- The ladies viii
hold their convention Wednesday
in the Second Presbyterian church, which
is being appropriately decorated for the
occasion Aside from the reception of in
coming delegates there IS nothing going on
during the day. but tonight the Sons OF
Veterans Will have a reception and grand
camn fire in the big tent on Broad street