Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-03-08
Annual Encalnpment,
The following order has been issued
from the headquarters Grand Army of the
Republic, department of Dakota:

from tne headquarters Grand Army of the
Republic, department of Dakota:
Headquarters Grand Army of the Republic.
Department of Dakota, Ashton, Oak, Feb is,
lSS3-Ihe sixth annual cncamplnent will meet
i'll the city of Aberdeen March 2G. 1882 and will
be called to order ut the Grand opera house ct
10 O'Clock a. IN. All delegates are earnestly re-
quested to be present ut thnt time. The de.
partment headquarters will be established at
the Sherman house on Monday, March 25. The
council of administration will meet at the Sher-
man house at o'clock a. M. Monday March 25
The commander requests that every member
be present mt that time MS business of inn
portance will be considered Col. William F.
Dunn is hereby instructed to make all necessary
details to properly guard the approaches to the
encampment and see that no comrade ia ad-
mltted who does not have the national counter
sign. He will report to the department. head
quarters ut 10 O'Clock a. m. Monday March Is
for further orders. Before the meeting of the
seventh annual encampment this territory will
undoubted be divided and two Dallotas es.
tabllshed The question of dividing the en-
campment into departments of North and
south Dakota will come before this encamp-
ment. The commander desires that the ques-
ton OF dividing the department be fully dis
cussed in the several posts, and that delegates
come prepared to answer the question. aShalI
we remain as we for another year, or is it
pest pest for the ne. order that two departments be
master general will fill all acquisitions received
on or before March IL, after which the books
WI WI be closed to enable him properly prepare
ments have been made with all railroads to
carry comrades Mt one and one-tfth fare for the
round trip. When purchasing tickets be sure
anu get receipt from the agent, paving one
full fare going to Aberdeen and upon presenta-
ton OF your receipt to Col F. W. Raymond at
Aberdeen you will be entitled to return fare
tersign has been issued. The national counter
sign will be used at all post and encampment,
meetings. By order of s. f. HAMMOND,
Department Commander
JOHN ). PERR1ToN, Assistant Adjutant General.
The local committee in charge expect
fully five hundred delegates with their
wlles and arrangements have been made
for that number.
Tho Territorial Militia.
The strength of the Dakota national
guards is now 95S, divided as follows:
Colonies of regiments and staff officers,
81; infantry, 7S9; artillery, 81; cavalry, 81.
The inspector reports: "As a general
thing lind the companies composed of q
superior class of men, with few exceptions
fairly we'll drilled. All are willing, and
only need good or competent instructors
to bring them up to the standard. Disci-
pllne ana military courtesy are urged upon
inspection of the first regiment 69.35 per
cent. were present. of the second, 67.O9
per cent; of the cavalry battalion, 1875.
Der cent; OF the artillery company at Lis
pom, 1874 per cent. The appro-
priations for the maintenance Of the.
militia since its organization has been
For 1857, 100000; for 1873, $39, OOO;.
total, $4,000. The expenses have BEEN:
Warrants drawn to 1887, $45, O9S.76. Ex-
cess OF appropriation to March 10, 1887.
Sl4.09S.76; warrants drawn to February
10, 1889, $36,50S.2S; unexpended balance.
OF last appropriation $2,491.72. Deduct
this from the excess of two years ago and
we find debt of S11, 6O7 04, SO that the,
total t expenses for four years have been
So0,6O1 .04, and only three annual encamp-
ments have been held. The expenses of
the annual encampment have increased
each time.
There is a diversity of opinion with re-
gard to the continuance of the organiza-
ton. Some assert that the benefits do not
Justify the expenditure, and others claim
that the medicine bills and horse hire for
the officers, ETC., are too high. The prob
abilities are that a reasonable. appropria-
ton will be made for the deficiency and
armory rent, and the D. N. G.. given, one,
more trial to ascend the ladder Of military
face.
The proposition to appropriate 5000 to.
be expended by the adjutant- general in.
compiling a list of ex-soldiers in the ter
rltory is thought to be unnecessary. as the.
general government is fully covering that
ground.