The Republican journal., 1891-11-12
Grand Army Meetings.

The campfire of Freeman McGilvery Post of
Searsport, at Union Hall in that town last Satur
day evening was great success. The Monroe
Post, with ladies', numbering forty, and large
delegations from the Posts at Belfast and Bucks
port, with ladies, were present. Department Com
mander 5. l.. Miller. of Waldoboro, with the fol
lowing stall. d. Carver, Rockland, Asst. q. NJ.
General; a, f. Nickerson, Swanville, Council OF
NJ. {. Dilworth, Belfast, Asst In
spector, and Congressman Miiken were present
as principal guests
This meeting The close of weeks visit to
the Posts in Waldo county by Department Com
mander Miller, who has made himself very popu
lar with the Grand Army boys OF this county, and
is the first Department Commander to visit our
Posts. Commander Miller is genial, courteous,
digniied, and has pleasant greeting for all The
receptions and handshaking at the close of The
meeting among the most pleasant features of
these gatherings.
The Relief Corps of Searsport provided most
bounteous and appetizing supper. Tables were
spread In the lower hall, and were handsomely
laid The first course was clam stew, followed by
great variety of substantials and danties. Many,
however, never got beyond the first course calling
the second time for more clans. All present were
unanimous In according praise to the ladies Of the
Relief Corps. Music was sounded, when Mr.. w.
O. Barney and NJ iss Hattie Whittum, with Depart
ment Commander Miller with Mrs. c. w. Haney,
of Belfast, led of, followed by the visitors. The
march was ended in the dining hall, where after
grace by Rev. \. LaMarsh, all "attacked" the
tempting rations.
The Relief Corps of Searsport numbers but
twenty eight members, but all are workers, and
use a current nhrasp are In ~ every tip,p
The following is list of the Corps officers: Alb
bic f. sawyer, President, Ellen A. Small, s. "
Prest; Melville c. Ellis, j. V. Prest; Mary f.
A. Sargent, Chap. Orila a. Whitcomb, Con-.
Emily II. Young, Guard; Amanda NJ Larrabee
Asst. Con. Ida +. Black, Asst Guard.
After supper all repaired to the hall, where the
exercises took place The first thing on the pro
gram was Il tambouIine drill by thirteen young
ladies-Misses Bessie Merrithew, Captain, Grace
Nickels, Henrietta West. Ida West Lillian
Runnells, Mabel Mears, Clara Carver, Mar
garet Sargent, Mamie Decrow, Zuba Decrow,
Emily Whitum, Aida Sargent and Alice Gross,
with Hannah Colcord, who played an accompani-
ment on the piano The young ladies were all
pretty and were dressed alike-short scarlet skirt,
white waist. black bodice ami red caps. Each
carried tambourinc. Under command of the
captain the squad drilled for several minutes. The
movements were pretty and the time perfect. The
captain was "born to command" and acquitted
herself finely. When they left storm OF APP
pause followed them.
Next was singing by quartette-"Still for thee
| am signing"
Third-Song and banjo accompaniment by Car
ley.
Fourth-Corp. Casey reviewing the Murphy
Guards. This brought down the house.
fifth-Song by Frank Nickels "When his mo-h-
er in-law is at home" This was encored.
speaking followed. MI J. W Black presided
IN his usual happy manner.
department Commander Miller WAS introduced,
ana SAM ne expected Starsp0rt would excel in its
entertainment and he was not disappointed. He was
glad to see SO many visiting posts present and
thought these visits of great benefit TO the organ
izations. Commander Miller touched upon the
same topics reported in the journal two weeks
ago, and in conclusion said he believed those who
fought upon the Union side were externally right
and the other side were eternally wrong
Col. l.. ID. Carver of Rockland, was next intro
duced. He said the arrangements of the meeting
were wrong, the speaking should have taken place
before supper. He compmented the repast and
said if the government had furnished such rations
1t would have saved the lives of many chickens
and pigs in the south. He said the rapidity with
which the north placed an army in the field was
the surprise of al nations. Lincoln had only to
stretch his arm northward and say "come !" when
they came. We made veterans of the volunteer
soldiers in the time il takes England to enter a
man on its rolls. In seven months we made an ar.
my that was the envy of the world. The Colonel
briefly reviewed the stirring scenes of the war and
complimented the organization of the Grand Army
Of the Republic II has placed the flag Of our
country ali over the land.
Commander Dawson, of Monroe, said that when
peace came and the army was disbanded foreign
nations said the United States would be overrun
with mohs, riots and awless men. But the sol
oilers came home quietly and resumed their avoca
tons. The | mon soldier did not 90 into the army
Tor money; he fought for principle. Mr. Daw-
son euiogized the women of the country and told
how much they did for the cause. The loyal moth
or said to hrr son go, my boy, and do what YOU
can lie alluded 10 the manner In which the
south was treated after the O:Ecr nations
would have hung the traitors, but said "come
back and be of us" He said some one had sug
Sested hat at the worlds fair at Chicago the blue
aud the gray should be shown, and the Old rebel
nag displayed. He spurned the idea. One flag is
enough for this country and that flag is the stars
and stripes. Mr. Dawson said he was in a Massa
chusetts regiment, but he complimented Maine for
not having lost battle flag during the war
Col. ). z. LaGros, of Bucksport, said he was
proud to acknowledge himself Maine soldier
lie was at Bangor working at his trade, carriage
painting, when sumter fired upon lie took
his llS nd siI OH
the wall. where are you going" said the fore
man. TO enlist" was the reply. On his way to
the enlistng place he met two others on the same
errand. His was the third name on the en- listment
roll at Bangor. The speaker reviewed the war
and eXtolled the loyal women. Much was due 10
them. When he left home his mother said to him
II would rather have you come back home IN n
box, than have you come back a coward" That
sentiment was with him all through the struggle
Rev. \. laMarsh, of Searsport responded for
the sons of veterans lie said his father died in
the army and fills an unknown grave. He spoke
of the loyalty and patriotism of the Northern SOL
der When Nathan Hale was hung as spy he
was asked what he had to say. The brave man re-
sponded clad hundred lives | would give
them all to my country"
NJ. c. Dilworth. of Belfast, said that when the
i'S was Hah'it' uoNH W us IL Hau stain on Its
folds, the stain Of 100000 of human slaves The
war of 1861 90 removed that stain and we can
transmit it unsullied to our children. He comp-
mented Scarsport and urged the formation of a
county organization.
Alfred Stnson, Of North Searsport told the
story of his enlistment.
Congressman Milliken was called upon and
spoke briefly, eulogizing the Grand Army OF the
Republic. lie said 1t kept alive the sentiments OF
patriotism. He held in his hand a pamphlet that
had been sent him, written by person hosti e to
the Grand Army. The pamphlet started in by say
Ing that the Grand Army was a dangerous power
and should be disbanded by It's own members lie
denounced the sentiment expressed and pledged
himself to stand by the old soldier.
1t was nearly midnight when the meeting broke
up. All expressed themselves satisfied that it
was the best campfire ever held In Waldo county
CAMPFIRE OF A. L. CLARK CAMP S. OF "
Andrew +. Clark Camp Sons of Veterans Of
Belfast on Saturday evening entertained delega
tons from the camps at Linconvlle and Freedom
Ihomas H. Marshall Post. q. a. r.. the Relief
Corps and citizens were also invited Anexcellent
supper was served at Memorial Hall. After sup
per the company was called to order by Mr.. NJ c.
Murch, Past Captain. Remarks were made BY
Key il. i. Hack, Capt. a. l.. Clark Messrs. Stoney
Heath and Merriam. a good entertainment was
9lven,in the course OF which Mr.. John Parker gave
drum solo The attendance uouId hava haan