Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-02-26

ment Commanders w. S. McNair, John
Wainwright, Daniel Ross, G. M, Carey, ].
S. Litzenberg, John NJ. Dunn. John Il.
Mowbray, r. 6. Buckingham and Peter d.
Ayars. Besides these there were l27 dele
gates and many other visiting comrades
present.
One Of the most important and enjoy
able events of the day was the open camp
fire at night There was a large audience
present, among which were many ladies'
Department Commander Lewis called the
fire 10 order and made few preliminary
remarks. He said he was Gagged out
from his days labors as presiding officer of
the encampment and he did not feel as
though he could make a lengthy speech.
He introduced the department chaplain,
James Mccoy Of Wilmington, who spoke
Interestingly for a half hour. The speaker
congratulated the comrades on the success
of che encampment and on being mem
bers of such a worthy organization as the
G. A. r.. which began its career when the
first volunteer enlisted in the great Union
army. We saved the country, continued
the speaker, and properly the country and
its institutions are ours but we are willing
TO share the interests of our government
with every true American citizen. The
men who wore the blue are entitled to
every honor the country can confer on
them. If in fraternity and LOYALTY we
earth that can disrupt us and the g. A. r..
will stand as monument Of the great re-
bellion as long as a Union veteran exists.
Past Senior Vice-commander Walker
was called on and paid highly erlogistic
tribute to the women soldiers. He said
that the services of women on the battle-
field dated from the Crimean war when
Florence Nightingale appeared on the field
and did good work for the sick and dying.
In our own great strife women sacrificed
their lives and came upon the field to ad-
minister words of comfort to the distressed.
BY this ana their charitable doings they
have contributed their full share to the
country's greatness. Let us see that they
receive the credit and honor that is justly
due them.
| Past Department Commander w. s.
| AfcNar was next introduced and made II
rousing speech. He was the organizer of
| Watson Post No. 5, of this city, 10 years
ago, and he was proud to say ii had been
| a credit TO the department ever since. The
| q. A. r., (pointing to the stars and stripes
carried this to the rebellion in 81 and
brought il home, three years later, torn
and tattered, covered with blood, but i'm
! stained by treason, Loud applause.
Comrade Kendall of Post % then sang
song, and related a comic war story
| Past Department Commander Daniel
Ross was called on, and read an interesting
|
! late General Sherman, and also poem on
| an incident connected with the general $
march from Atlanta to the sea
Comrade Joseph H. Vantine of this city
sang Upon Washing Day and another
comic song which occasioned much amuse-
ment.
Judge Acknowledgement Fraim said that
through the yalor and patriotism of the
| G. A. r. the flag waves to-day over an I'M
divided country, where every man is equal
in the way of liberty and independence
Comrade Pickles sang Marching
4 Through Georgia. and several other pa
triotic selections which created much en-
| thusiasn
| The Rev. Mr.. Brown of Post "a, George
| town, who was one of Commodore Farri-
| CUTS men during the war related many
thrilling experiences of the naval encoun-
| tiers he was in.
The Rev. Daniel Green Of Newport, the
| department communicated, made brief
speech, paying high tribute to the G. A.
| r. Unfortunately Mr.. Green had been
placed at the bottom of the list and owing
| 10 the time consumed by the other
speakers he was compelled to cut his re-
marks short.
AT 10 o'clock the meeting adjourned, and
the eneampment was voted a success by
| every veteran in attendance.