Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-28

Through the noble work of the Grand
Army the happiness in many poor home
was increased on Christmas Day. The dis
tribution of presents by the posts in this
vicinity was larger this year than ever be.
fore. The attention given to this branch OF
charity is growing very perceptibly. 1t ii
an excellent work and will doubtless be con-
tinued more extensively on Christmas in
the future.
A very enjoyable entertainment was given
on Christmas afternoon by Post 161 at the
hall. 1928 Carson street, preceding the an
nuaI treat to the orphans. The programme
was: A song, Miss Sadie Turner; address
of welcome. w. T. Powell; song, Miss
Alice Powell; address, Commander-elect
John s. Lambie, of Post 81 song, by request,
Alice Powell; address, John W. Moreland;
recitation, little Edna Sias. After the en-
tertainment full suits of clothing were given
to 72 soldiers orphans, who are the wards OF
the post. A box of candy and an orange
were also given to each one. Everything
passed off pleasantly and the comrades of
Post 151 have just cause to feel proud Of
once more making glad the hearts OF SO
many needy ones.
Post 236 supplied IA widows in its district
both soldiers and civilians widows-with
substantials. Wearing apparel, shoes,
-four, potatoes, turkeys and other provisions
were distributed literally. The orphans In the
district were also made happy with appropriate
presents. The Post will hereafter make this
charity special feature Of its work.
On Christmas morning Comrade Max Kline,
of Post Us, accompanied by members of the
post and their ladies and the Grand Army
Band went to the Jummonvllle Soldiers Or
Phan Home, near Uniontown, and made the
hearts of the little ones glad with presents.
There were substantial gifts. as well as candies
and toys Comrade Kline intends to continue
this good work.
Post Al presented each Of the II soldiers
widows in its district with turkey and cash
donation. The welcome gifts were received
with great Joy by the needy ones.
Post distributed a large number Of turkeys
to the soldiers widows under the charge Of the
post
Acting under instructions from Post SS, the
Relief Committee Of that post distributed SUBJ
stantial Christmas gifts to needy ones under
the care Of the post. A large number were
made happy.
Post No. 80. of Johnstown, distributed 1U3
turkeys for Christmas present to widows Of
old soldiers and deserving comrades This gen.
erous action OF the post has been the cause OF
making many hearts happy, and the comrades
are receiving much praise for their generosity.
Department Commandership Contest.
In view of the rapidly approaching contest
for the Department Commandership next
year the following, taken from a Philadelphia
paper, is interesting:
"The statement in q circular issued by the
committee of Philadelphia post appointed to
boom q comrade for Department Commander
that he also re-enIisted in June, 1868. as Ser
geant of Company NJ, Twentieth Pennsylvania
Volunteers, to serve during the war, and was
honorably discharged by the Government at
Philadelphia by reason of the expiration of his
term of service has given rise to a considera.
among Grand Army men az to whether the
Twentieth Pennsylvania Volunteers were thus
mustered into service during the war, and
whether they thus served. A number of inQui-
ries have been made as to how long the Twen-
tieth Regiment served. In compliance with
the same the following information has been
complied from official authority:
''There were four regiments from Pennsyl-
vania during the war of the Rebellion which
bore, at different times, the name Twentieth
They were as follows: !. Twentieth Pennsyl-
swered the first call of Abraham Lincoln for
troops. Enrolled April so, 1861; mustered out
July "a, 1851 2 Twentieth Pennsylvania Vol
unteer Militia, Colonel William B. Thomas
Mustered in September Is, 1862 for the emer-
gency;mustered out average time. September 2S
1861 Twentieth Pennsylvania Volunteers en-
rolled for the emergency June IL, 1858; mus
tered out August 10, 1858. The three regiments
named were all infantry commands. and served
total of four months and 28 days, the two
emergency regiments alone serving two
months and three days. Colonel William B.
Thomas commanded the last named regiment
Zone of the Twentieths was a cavalry regi-
ment. 1t was organized and commanded by
Colonel John e. Wynkoop. 1t was styled the
Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and stood
No. Isl in the line. 1t was mustered in June
2S, 1865 for six months, and at the end of the
term re-enlisted, serving until the close of the
war, and was discharged July l8, 1865"