The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1892-09-24
OLD VETS In CAM.
Once More Remnants OF Gallant
Troops Hold an Annua! Ec-
campment.
Thousands Of the Old Soldiers
Now Camping on Historic
Grounds.

WAsuJsaroS. Sept. M.-Twenty-six years
ago, in ibe State Of Illinois, there was int
tiated . movement resulting in the organ
izatioI, for fraternal, charitable and loyal
purposes of the men who, at their.
try's call, lett hearth and home to devote
the best energies of their manhood to its
salvation. LII 1886 the Grand Army of the
Republic was founded, with B. F. Stephen
son of Illinois as first commander-in-chie
Included in its ranks were many men who
HAD become famous throughout the civil
lied world for their brilliant achievement
in the civil wa and on the sea, and there
were also untold Thousands of men I'M
known to the world by name and who
never wore any more ~pretentious uniform
than the blue b.ou;e and trousers, but who
were the units that made up the grandest
force Of warriors in numbers and warlike
deeds that the world had ever known.
When their duty was done and their'coun,ry
was saved, these countless thousands laid
down the musket and sword and returned
to the pursuits Of a peaceful life, leaving
behind the habits of the field and the
camp, and becoming once farmers.
merchants and mechanics and laborers.
But, once a year, it has been the custom Of
many to come together at some central
point, and, exchanging fraternal greetings,
revive the memory'ot the days gone by OF
war and valcr and bitter struggle and
heroic endurance, OF hardship and disas-
ter, and of
FINAL n 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 gem
erals who led their men to victory and have
is growing apace. So as the years rolled
past and the comrades dropped out Of line,
the remainder. of hat great s'ost has longed
to come once again to the capital, and tread
once more the broad sweep of that magnid-
cent avenue On which they stepped W tn
erec ct figure and martial bearing In 1866 at
the end OF the wal. At last this longing
has been gratified, 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 ! asst 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 ~snlalier, and the result is an at
tendance that 10 mar can closely estimate
aid one certainly surprising any ever be-
ic-s seen in Washington. All through last
night the trains arrived in SO many sections
as to constitute an intricate problem in
railroad management. and every train was
laden with comrades mt their wives and
ons and daughters. Besides there were
very many sightseers, not connected with
the G.. A.. r.. attracted by
THE SPECTACULAR IsPLAY
expected to be seen during the week. All
O these people were taken care Of ais they
arrived ty the members o; the reception
committee. or the numerous corps OF bright
school boys who were detailed tor the SER
vice. Those who had secured accommoda-
lions at hotels and boarding houses were
directed to their destinations; those who
had heedlessly aud without regard to the
warning circulars sent out by the arrang
ments committee had neglected to secure
lodgings, were furnished with addresses
where bed aud 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 we're 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 tho,e just south of the headquarters
known a. Cam Alger. !. re filled with