The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-09-22
OLD VETS IN CAMP.
Once More Remnants Of Gallant
: Troops Hold an Annual En-
campment.
Thousands of the Old Soldiers
Now Camping on Historic
Grounds.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 2O.-Twenty-sixy years
ago, IN the State of Illinois, there was mi
tiated movement resulting in the organ
iza,on for fraternal, charitable and loyal
purposes of the men who, at their coun-
try's call, lett hearth and home to devote
the best energies of their manhood to its
salvation. In 1865 the Grand Army of the
Republic was founded, with B. F. Stephen
son Of Illinois as first communicating Chief
Included in its ranks were many men who
had become famous throughout the civil
lied world for their brilliant achievement
in the civil war and on the sea, and there
were also untold thousands of men un-
known to the world by name and who
never wore any more pretentious uniform
than the blue blouse and trousers b ut who
We're the units that made up the grandest
force OF warriors in numbers and warike
deeds that the world had ever known.
When their duty was done and their country
was saved, these countless thousands laid
down the musket and sword and returned
to the pursuits of peaceful life, leaving
behind the habits of the field and the
camp and becoming once more farmers,
merchants and mechanics and laborers.
But, once year. it has been the custom Of
many to come together at SOME central
point, and, exchanging traternal greetings,
revive the memory OF the days gone by of
war and yalor and bitter struggle and
heroic endurance, Of hardship and disas-
ter, and of
FINAL AND GLORIOUS VICTORY.
For twenty five years the comrades have
met in this way, but never in that long
time have they gathered at Washington.
Now the ranks are thinning out; old faces
are missing and the list Of the famous gen.
erals who led their men to victory and have
names on the lmy erishable roll of honor,
is growing apace. So as the years rolled
past and the comrades dropped out Of line
the remainder of hat great host has longed
to come once again to the capital, and tread
once more the broad sweep of that magnif-
cent avenue On which they stepped W tn
erect figure and martial bearing in 1865 at
the end Of the war. At last this longing
has been gratitied, and to-day the
Grand Army of the Republic begins
the first day of the weeks re-
union IN the city of Washington.
For days past the comrades have been
gathering from every part of the Union.
Great cities, small towns little hamlets and
solitary farm houses have sent their quotas.
greater or smaller, and the result is an at
tendance that no man can closely estimate
and one certainly surprising any ever be-
fore seen in Washington. All through last
l. IL \
as to constitute an intricate problem in
railroad management. and every train was
laden with comrades and their wives and
sons and daughters. Besides there were
very many sightseers, not connected with
the G. A. R., attracted by
THE SPECTACULAR DISPLAYS
expected to be seen during the week. All
OF these people were taken care of as they
arrived by the members OF the reception
committee, or the numerous corps OF bright
school boys who were detailed for the SER
vice. Those who had secured accommoda-
tons at hotels and boarding houses were
directed to their destination; those who
had heedlessly and without regard to the
warning circulars sent cut by the arrange
ments committee had neglected to secure
lodgings, were furnished with addresses
where bed and board might be had, and
the great army of veterans who
wished to avail themselves of the
free quarters offered by the citizens Of
Washington were escorted to their tempo
rary quarters In some way everybody was
cared for. The vast barracks erected in
Garfield Park, just south of the capitol,
and those just south Of the headquarters
known as Camp Alger, were filled with
Thousands OF veterans, and IN addition, the
many handsome school buildings, which
are the pride Of the city, were turned into
temporary quarters for as many veterans as
could find room to lie side by side. The
multitude of white tents which covered the
available space in the Monument ground
and the White Lot were also filled with
sleeping comrades. ALL of these. quarters
were furnished to the G. A. R. free of cost
by the citizens of Washington, and in their
grateful shelter reposed many SCARED and
time-worn veterans, lying under the shadow
Of the capitol which they preserved to the
Union, or in sight ofthe southern facade of
the White House, whose martyr occupant
issued the clarion call which aroused so
many of them to give up health and
strength and youth through their ready re.
spouse.