The Press., 1888-10-04
(Correspondcnce.) THE ANNUAL c. 4. K. ENCAMPMENT.

Columbus, Ohio, Sept. goth, 1888.
 To the Editor of The Press As the twenty y-second annual encampment of tho Grand Army of the Republic brought hero the largest crowd ever congregated Tn any American city, I have thought it might be of interest to readers of The Press to see a few figures which would show the magni- tude of the affair, and the amount of work required to provide for and amuse this vast army of visitors.
 The power to make the necessary local Arrangements was vested in general council" which, acting through sixteen subcommittee, raised a guarantee fund of one hundred thousand dollars, ard after year of arduous labor and at the sacrifice of many personal business interests, sue ceeded in receiving, escorting to their quarters, and amply providing for during their stay, all who came within our gates. The encampment opened on Monday, Sep tember 10th, and closed on Saturday, Sep tember 10th. Columbus has population of one hundred thousand, and during that week had, at a low estimate, two hundred thousand visitors. Of these, seventy-h thousand were G. A. R. men, the remain
  to take advantage of the low railroad rates. The depot yards were cleared of freight cars to make room for the thousands of passenger coaches which must be tempora- rily stored. Wholesale business was prac. tically at a stand-still, and all energy was bent toward entertaining the people. The city was profusely decorated, over 300, ,000 yards of bunting, and flags innumerable being used on HiRh.st alone. Eleven illu. minated arches, bearing 5000 colored globes spanned the same street at regular inter vals. To lodge these hordes, 100 acres of conveniently located ground was arranged in camps properly severed, lighted by electricity and plentifully supplied with running waters. In these camps 5,4O0 tents were pitched, provided with 300 tons of straw for bedding, and 200 cords of wood for fires, if necessary. These camps would accommodate 10000, and actually did accommodate 55, ,o00 of the veterans. In addition, the hotels made great prepa- rations, and almost every private house and all the public institutions took all they could lodge and feed. About 50,000 cots were provided at a uniformity low price. So vast were the preparations that 5000 cots were not used at all, and no one need cd to remain up all night for want of n place to sleep.
 To feed these people, in addition to tho regular eating places and many private and church restaurants, local firm made provision at the various camps for furnish ) ing with meals 50,000 people. To do this ], 800 cooks and walters were engaged, and the amount of supplies and dishes which they were compelled to buy md borrow was almost beyond comprehension.
 : For common protection, the police force was strengthened, and the l4th regiment, O. N. G., was on patrol duty, in reliefs, } day and nights, for the entire week. Tho physicians of the city organized themselves ' into a medical corps, and, cooperating , with the druggists furnished free profes- sional services and medicines to the niiinR veterans. Fortunately, not single case of serious illness or fatal injury occurred during the time.
 3 The amusement for this mass of people r was furnished by the Ohio centennial B which is in progress here, the spectacular outdoor play, "The Last Days of Pom peii," the "Cyclorama of the Battle o : Gettysburg" and two military dramas ni the theaters. Perhaps the most interest = ing feature, because unique, was the chil ' dren's chorus of 1,500 voices, augmented
 by male chorus of 300 voices and a ful band of forty pieces, the little ones of tho
 chorus being properly attired and arranged 2 on the state house steps to represent tn, !. national banner.
 Of the distinguished people present - and there were many-I will only mention q the grand old hero, General Sherman, wh, i. received a wonderful ovation. To tn ' credit of the old soldiers, must mentio 4 that of the 300 arrests made but twent, : were of their number, all just little to
 much under the influence of the "oh, D