The morning call., 1892-05-04
THE LOYAL LEGION
California COmmandery Visits
Mare Island Maynard.
The J. NJ. Donahue Loaded Down With Happy
Excursionists-Colonel smedberg Receives
Magnificent Silver Punch-BO

The Commandery of the State OF Cali
fornia, Military Order of the Loyal Legion
of the United States, which embraces an
active membership Of more than 600 gentle
men, over 90 per cent of whom served
as commissioned officers in the regular aud
volunteer forces during the war of 1885,
began yesterday its two days celebration of
the twenty-frst anniversary of its organlza-
ton. Yesterday members of the command
cry, with their wives and daughters. went
to Mare Island ON the steamer j. NJ. "a
hue This evening the companions OF The
order will participate in banquet at Pioneer
Hall.
The steamer left the Tiburon ferry-land-
ing at 9:45 o'clock A. NJ. with nearly 400
persons on board. The band Of the First
Regiment United States Infantry accom-
panied the excursonists. The Donahue was
decked out gayy with flags. provided kindly
by Captain Dan Haskell of Sprec6els BROTH
ers' line of tug boats. Before heading for the
straits the Donahue steamed up the bay
ana passed around the Austrian warship
and United States cruiser Chariest on,
the men-of-wa dipping their cOors in
response to the Donahue's steam whis-
tie salute. The First Infantry band
played stirring airs, the meanwhile striking
up ia ra ra boom de re" for the benefit
of the Charleston. The sun did not break
through the leaden skies until we'll toward
noon, but the day was warm enough 10
make it pleasant Oh deck. The excursion
lists enjoyed the scenery on both shores and
passed the hours in social conversation on
the way up Everything under steam that
met the DOnahue saluted her as she passed
on her way to her destination. The eXcur-
sionists cheered the hulk of the old flag
ship Hartford very loudly-the solitary
Waterman on board appearing at Ole OF her
portfolios and waving flag.
AT MARE ISLAND.
Upon arriving at the dock at Mare Island
delegation of naval officers came to the
gangplank and welcomed very heartily
Major Gould, Colonel Smedberg and all the,
members of the cOmmandery. The excur-'
sionists marched to the sail-loft. where
collation. had been prepared, Of which the
great throng, whose appetites had been
whetted by the trip, partook so heartily
that dishwashing atterwaTd would have
been superfuous. The ceiling and white
washed walls of the sail-loft were covered
with flags Of nearly all nations. Behind
the chairman, Major Gould, the American
flag was gracefully lo0ped, while the painted
ba &c of the Loyal Legion was suspended IN
front of the cOlOTs. Bouquets gathered
ftom the luXuriant flower gardens OF the
island were seen every where in lavish pro-
fusion and the air was heavy with the per-
fume Of roses.
Among the naval officers who took an
active part in attending TO the entertain
ment of tie guests were Rear-Admiral
Irwin, Chief Engineers BurnaD and Moore,
Captains Watson, Glass and Clarke, Past
Phelps, Drs Moore and White and Naval
Constructors Steele and Linnard. The
United States Marine Corps was repre-
scented at these courtesies by Major Bartlett
and Lieutenant Turner.
The speechmaking WAS confined to two
ka az aHiaSO and the tfrantlautan.V
Companion Charles A. Sumner responded
wiItily to the first aud Companion &. A.
Woodruff in the same spirit 10 the second.
The incident OF tile oratoly was the pres
entati0n Of a beautiful silver punch-bowl
and ladle to Colonel w. II. Smedberg. the
recorder Of the commandery, on behalf of
the companions. The presentation speech
was very touching and elOQuently appre-
eiative of Colonel Smedberg's long and
arduOuS service in building up the order In
California.
SURPRISED.
The recipient, who was taken completely
by surprise, kept his wits about him enough
to accept the gift Ia a spirit of levitY
blended with some emotion Of honest pride
that he had been thus honored. Colonel
Smedberg was long and loudly cheered
The puneh-bowl is Of solid silver lined
with gold, and lis capacity is two gallons.
The design is emblematic of military life,
ana in one way the leading features OF war
history are epitomjzed In the etched pic
lures which ornament the exterior OF the
bowl. There are five scenes depicted The
subjects illustrated are the army, the navy,
the artillery. the engineers and tile cavalry.
The army is Illustrated by a body Of
troops hating in line Of battle 10 reform.
| The scene is taken from Forbes etching
representing the halt of troops at the battle
OF Antietam before they crossed the stone
| bridge.
The navy is represented by a picture Of
| the fight between the Monitor and Merri-
| mac.
| The artillery is represented by picture
| OF StewaIts battery going into action at
| ChautillY.
The engineers are represented by a pic
! ture Of the p0ntOon bridge across the Rap
pahannock opposite Fredericksburg.
The cavalry is represented by sketch Of
| Sheridan's ride.
Along the rim are engraved the badges
| of the Loyal Legion and of the Fifth Army
| Corps, 10 which Colonel SmedDurg served.
After brief stroll around the maynard
| the eXcursionists returned to the Donahue,
! which left Mare Island for this city shortly
] after o'clock. Much of the credit for the
| completeness of all the arrangements for
| the excursion is due to Mr.. Warfeld, chair
] man of the committee on excursion.
|
uaC OBTAIN pnHCuT ITO