Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-07

Sniedburg, III. Great enthusiasm was mani
tested by the New York delegates during the
second ballot, when Palmer led from the
stcrt and was elected with rush.
Captain John Palmer the new Comman-
der-in Chief was born on Staten Island,
March %, 1872, and has a splendid war rec
ord. He enlisted in the Ninety-first New
York Volun teers, September 10, 1861, ana
was constantly with that regiment until it
was mustered out, July lS 1865, taking part
In all the engagements. He was seriously
injured at the battle of Five Forks, in the
combined charge of cavalry and infantry.
Since the war he has been engaged in the
fresco painting and decorating business at
Albany, n. T., and hac the contract for an
a member of the G. A. r. he was for several
terms commander of Lew Benedict Post No.
3. was elected Commander of the New York
Department, and in 1879 was elected Senior
Vice Commander-in-Chief, all of which i'm
portant positions he filed with credit. he
is said to be forcible speaker, model
presiding officer at Department and Nat
fonal Conventions, and has frequently
been placed at the head of important COM
rnitrees by both State and National Encamp-
ments.
NAMES OF THE OTHER WINNERS.
For Senior Vice Commander in Chief there
was but cne candidate, Henry N. Duffield, of
Michigan, being chosen by acclamation- L.
s. Clarkson, OF Nebraska; Peter B. Ayers, OF
Delaware. and Albert E. Sholes, OF Georgia,
were nominated for Junior Vice Commander
in Chief Clarkson won on the first ballot.
For Chaplain there were three candidates,
6 R. Pavne, of Florida: D. c. Miner of Kan
sas. and A B. Kendrich, of Iowa. Mr.. Payne
was elected. Surgeon General Benjamin T.
Stevenson, OF Connecticut, was reelected by
past Commander in Chief William Warner,
gNE hi ffr71 1Tl1i N
the Commander in Chief, reported resolu-
tions which were adopted, pehttoning Con
Eress for legislation providing for the Gus
fodv ana care of Mt. McGregor Cottage, and
foramendments TO the Revised Statutes pro-
viding more explicitly that preference be
given old soldiers In Government appoint
ments and employment.
To-day closes the business sessions of the
order and the veterans are fast leaving the
city 1t has been indeed a week of reunions.
No less than eight national organizations
are in session or have adjourned, and the
encampment i'll its many innovations has
certainly been a greater success than any
which have preceded 1t.
KICK OF THE EX-PRISoNERS.
A sensation has been created by the ad-
dress Of the President of the National Asso-
citation of Union Ex-Prisoners Of War, e.
B. Williams, of Indiana Referring to the
treatment accorded the eX-prisoners, he
said: cit would seem that the suffering and
buried around the Southern prisons should
ever be kept sacred, in memory OF what
they suffered for their country, for by the
sacrifice of such men civilization survives.
Around the names of Andersonville. Flor
enCe and other prisons will ever linger the
memory o. misery and suffering which has
no parallel in history, yet for 25 years our
Government has never so much as given us
q vote OF thanks for the sacrifice made"
This portion of the Presidents address was
formally approved by the association.
Among toe reports of committees made was
one enbodving q bill to be presented at the
next session of Congress in behalf of the
soldiers wha were in prison for period of
not less than so days, providing. that they
shall receive 81 for every day of their con-
1nemeBt from the Government.
The society known as the Comrades of
the Battle Field" which includes both the
tional organization by the election of the
following Iticcrs; Major General, George E.
Doitou. Of st. Louis; Lieutenant General
Lewis ". Allen, OF Battle Creek, Mich; Reg
lister General, Thomas Teake, of St. Louis;
Quartermaster General, ]. R. Moore, of
Washington; Judge Advocate, James
SLively. OF Anderson, O.; Surgeon General,
DR.. D. II. Briggs, of Battle Greek, Mich: Ex-
ecutive Council, Colonel E. T. Lee, DR.. D. H.
Briggs Eugene Payne, of Iowa; John NJ.
Hcnness, of Ohio; Robert 5. Gibersen, of Illi-
nois and :. J. Murphy, of Illinois.
THE WORK OF THE LADIES.
The Fifth National Convention of the
ladies OF the 6. A r. to-day received the
maternal greetings OF the G. A r. Encamp-
ment and elected their officers for the com.
ing year: National President, Mrs. NJ. J.
Csrtlsdse, Kansas: Senior Vice, Mrs. Alice
Bishop, Of Massachusetts,: Junior Vice. Mrs.
Nettie Sanford Chaplin, of Iowa. Treas Irer
Mrs. Anua Grubb, New Jersey; Chaplain,
Mrs. Alo:tZo Page, of Illinois.
The following resolution was introduced
and carried unanimously at the Michigan
Reunion OF Mexican War Veterans That
an effort be made by the officers to invite
the surviving veterans of Mexico to meet
che American survivors of the Mexican War
AZ the next general encampment at Wash
ingtOn, and that Congress be asked for an
appropriation therefor"
There was an extraordinary scene at last
nights reunion Of the Seventh Michigan In
faatry. when Major Robert II. Hendershot
known TO Grand Army history as 1.-The
Drummer Boy of the Rappabannock." was
called upon TO prove to the satisfaction of
the regiment that he had really crossed
those present. Hendershot produced letters
supporting his claim from Lincoln, Burn
side, Grant, Horace Greeley and others, but
on being put through q vigorous cross-ex-
animation became greatly confused. In re-
spunse to a call, a score of comrades from
Massachusetts, Maine and other States, rose
to their feet, and facing Henderson,, de-
Clared that they had not seen him on De-
cember j.. lS62, when the regiment crossed
the bridge. The scene was dramatic in the
extreme, and finally IL was decided that the
Drummer Boy title properly belonged to
John 1, Spillane, police officer Of Detroit