The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-02-22
Grand Army Encampnent.
THE MEN WHO WORE THE BLUE
MEET At RUTLAND

Ser the Twenty-six,h Annual Encamp-
mpnt-George w Do'y Chosen Depart
ment Commander.-HeRrty Welcome by
Governor Fuller.-A RousinR Camp
Sre.-The woman's Relief Corps Inn
portant Auxiliary.-The Oftcers-elect.
THE twenty-sixth annual encamp-
ment of tho Vermont Department of
the Grand Army of the Republic was
held last week at Rutland. The fading
light of more than third OF a century
that has elapsed since the civil war
broke out, nor the hating steps and
aecimated ranks that have been made
since that war closed did not prevent
the veterans who gathered in Rutland
last week from participating in scenes
of enjoyment that will be remembered
while life shall last. They were merry
times indeed, as old chums met COM
rades in arms in the old Vermont bri.
gade from widely scattered companies
and regiments. The canteen went
round; the bivouac fire glowed brightly
in never .dimming memory, and many q
Jolly yarn WAS spun of the close rub for
"Bill" or " 81 "when the rebels flAnked
that battery before Petersburg; of hot
times with Sheridan in the Shenandoah
valley; not forgetting the awful days at
Libby or Andersonville, and the com.
rades missing and mustered out"
And so the story went weaving round
and round, interpreted with "March-
ing through Georgia" or % Tenting to-
night" while the people of Rutland
gladly surrendered to The blue.c coated
army that had invaded their city.
The meetings were held in the town
ball, which was deliberately decorated
for the occasion. Flags and bunting
were everywhere seen, and the ban.
pers of several Of the larger posts in
the state were artistically arranged on
the stage.
The session Wednesday morning
was private. None but delegates
to the encampment and past post and
department commanders were ad-
mitted Retiring Department Com
mander Henry made his report, and
took occasion to deliver an eloquent
address, that was receive with maj ked
expressions OF approval.
In the afternoon came the election of
officers. Comrade A. A. Niles of Nor
risville nominated George w. Doty for
department commander. The nomi-
nation was secondt d by ex-Lieutenapt-
Governor Woodbury. and others, the
rules were suspended, and the secre-
tary was instructed TO cast ballot for
Mr.. Doty.
The other officers elected are senior
vice. commander, William Cfonan OF
Rutland; junior vice commander, A.
G. Jodoin of Hinesburgh; mt dical di.
rector, j. w. Copeland of Lyndonville
chaplain, Rev. Henry Croker of Fair.
fax; delegates 10 the national encsmp-
ment at large, Il. A. Hathorne of Lud.
low, j. E. Eldredge of West Randolph, J
G. Blackmer of MAJ chester, Lavant M
Read of Bellows Falls, II. G. Hubbard
Of Orwell and Josiah Grout of D. rby
alternates, at large, W. Fl. Gilmore OF
Fairlee, G. W. Burleson OF St. Adams
M. j. Sargent OF South ROyalton, N
"A. Puffer OF Bennington, II. G. Bates
Of st. Johnsbury, l.. B. Harris of Lyn
don; council of administration, Il. T.
Johnson of Island Pond, Ell N. Peel
of Burlington, o. M. Eaton OF Waits
field, j. p. Elmer of BrattleborO, E. S
Weston of Newiane.
The newly elected commander is 6
native of Montpelier. He enlisted a
Horrisville in Company F, Second Yer
mont, and participated in the first bat
tie of Bull Run. He was In nine bat
ties, and was badly wounded ut Fred
~rickshurgh. He retired from the ser
vice with the rank OF sergeant, and j.
now engaged in the furniture business
at Worthwhile.
The report of the Acknowledgement
shows that hut one new post has been
organized during the past year-Will
lam Wells post OF Williamstown
There are now 1914 members in gooC
standing in the state, net loss OF
seveDty-one for the past year.
General Wheelock G.. Veazey pre-
sided at the camp fire which was helt
Tuesday evening, and extended 1
hearty welcome to the visiting com
races. He was followed by Governor
Fuller, who extended the greetings o
the state TO the honored guests from
Massachusetts and from the nationa
encampment. He was followed b,
Commander-in. Chief Wiessert. Depart
ment Commander Hall of Massachu
sets, ex Governor Roswell Farnham
department Commander elect DJty
Colonel j. ii. Goulding, Colonel j. @
Baker, General w. w. Henry. Judg,
L. M. Read of Bellows Falls, Genera
Stephen Thomas of Montpelier, r. v
Mr.. Bodwell and others. The sneak
ing was interpreted with singing of ole
army songs, among them "Marchin.
through Georgia." "John Brown,
"Tramp, Tramp" and America
A party of veterans and members O
the Relief Corps visited Bennington
Wednesday, and inspected the Soldiers
Home. The inmates of the home re
ceiv'd them in the chapel, where Hugh
Hnnpv nraaidapt NJ tho hNarA ~ 49,.