River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-06-15
The Grand Army Reunion.

Al S-eAAAN 2AAAAAI ANNuAA1A-
That the interest felt in the surviv-
ing veterans Of the war of 1851 has
not abated but rather increases as we
know history better was well shown
on THURSDAY and Friday of last week.
Notwithstanding the threatening
clouds and the late and hence busy
seeding season. the streets Of this city
were filed on Thursday last at an ear
u hour with teams and pedestrians
who had gathered TO witness the Reun-
ion. From every direction the crowds
kept coming until long after the noon
hours and the grove was filed with
the friends of tie different posts rep
resented. soon after the dinner hour
the notes of fife and drum summoned
those who intended joining the pa
Tade and the procession was quickly
formed on Main street, marching
down the street To Cascade in the or
der given in the published program.
Preceded by the st. Cloud Band the
veterans marched almost as actively
as when following sherman through
Georgia but alas scarcely had the
column formed when the clouds which
had been gathering yeThead gave up
their contents and the rain fell fast
and fuTiOusly. The band followed by
soldiers sought shelter under the trees
for a few moments until the storm
abated somewhat and then the line of
march was again taken for the grove.
OF course the parade was badly broken |
up by this misddventure. but the vet |
Grams seemed rather TO enjoy the |
episode. reminding them of Olden !
times and they marched on as if on
dress parade. On reaching the |
grounds the audience gathered upon !
the seats provided in front of the |
speakers stand and an attempt was
made To carry out the program of the |
day, but the frequent interruption of /
heavy showers prevented it to some /
extent. Speeches were made by DIR. l
T.. Ballard. Allen P. Weld and Rev. |
Geo. y. Cressey. The band played |
several selections very acceptably but |
the dampness prevailing threw a wet |
blanket upon the enthusiasm and |
seemed for while likely to make the
reunion failure. but the best of good
humor prevailed and any lighting mp
of the sky was gladly welcomed. The |
evening was passed by many OF the
veterans in the tents upon the grounds
Teyiving old army experiences and
giving personal histories of the sur
yivOTs. Others attended the grand
concert given by the ST. Cloud band
which attracted a crowded house
which showed by frequent applause
its appreciation of good music.
An almost clOudlrss sky on Friday
gave hopes of a better day than the
previous and the hopes were not dis
appointed. The parade was formed
on Main street the column being es-
cOrted by the cavalry company of
Captain Knowles and a long procession
was formed. The grove was reached
at about ten O'Clock. Word had been
received that COmTade Griffin the ORA
tor of the day could not reach the
grounds until noon and John VIM
was appointed TO make an eXtempOre
program to ill in the intervening time,
a duty which he performed to the en-
tire satisfaction of the audience. The
variety of the exercises prevented
WEAKNESS and the general jOllity
which prevailed prepared the veterans
and their friends for the more import
ant address ~ Mr.. Griffin. The orator
arrived promptly after the incoming
of the train and was called NJ once TO
tue I0strum. The address was full OF
good things, a talk rather than
speech familiar resume of matters
interesting to the soldiers rather than
a set Grafton and rs such just fitted Tor
the occasion. The manly and soldier
like view taken upon the subject OF
pensions must have commended itself
10 all
After the exercises Of the regular
program were completed the visiting
veterans and their families were invit
"a to partake Of a hOunteOus Tepast
provided by the ladies Of the Relief
Corps of this vicinity 20 which ample
Justice was done. After the banquet
the doors of the dining hall were
thrown open and all hungry persons
fed To repletlOn.
Great credit is due 10 those who had
charge of the organization OF the cele-
brati0n. From first 20 last every thing
moved without friction and entirely
free from unpleasant features except
the rain and even the unf8vOTable
skies only stimulated the members OF
the River Falls post TO more earnest
eudsayorS 10 make matters pleasant
for the visitors.
The number Of q. y. II. names reg
isttred Il Headquarters during the re-
uuian were 214 There were y mem
Iers of the 30th Wis. and Is members
or the 18th Wis in the parade. Rep
reseutstives were present from Hud-
son. New Richmond. OsceOla Mills,
Hammond. Emerald. Baldwin. Jersey,
New Centerville. MaTtell. Rock Elm,
Spring Valley. Maiden Rock. Ellsworth
TTimbelle. Prescott. Olivet, Hagar
City. Melville. Deer Park. star Prairie
wisconsin and Red Wing, Minnesota.
At business meeting held Friday
afternoon the &. 4 K. Posts voted to
hold the next Reunion at New Rich