The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-25
GRAND ARMY NOTES
COmmander-in-Chief AdamS's Or
der on Memorial Day Observance.
The Indiana ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Proposition Regarding the Muster
Out of POsts-A Pathetic Story.

The order of Commander-in-chief Adams
regarding the observance of Memorial day
has been sent to the several departments.
Sections L and are as follows:
81. Wednesday, May 80 next, will be OBJ
served as Memorial day. Twenty-six years
ago John A Logan; commander-in-chief OF
the Grand Army of the Republic, in gem
eral orders No. IL, inaugurated Memorial
day. In that general order we We're di-
other hands slack, and other hearts cold
in the solemn trust we shall keep it we'll
as long as the. light and warmth of life
remains in u.s. His wishes and instruc-
tons have been faithfully obeyed, and as
his successor L call upon you, my COM
rades, TO again discharge this most solemn
duty
''2. Each year our lines grow shorter
here, while they lengthen on the other
side We have more graves to decorate
and fewer comrades to discharge the duty
Realizing this, let US invite all the people,
especially the Woman's Relief Corps, Sons
of Veterans, and children of the public
schools, to unite with us in the service.
In no better way can We teach lessons Of
patriotism and prepare those who are. to
take our places for the high and responsible
duties of American citizens.
Section 3 urges the continuance of the
beautiful custom OF posts attending church
the Sunday previous to Memorial day. Sub
Sequent sections remind posts that in 1877
the national Encaimlpm1ent gave the % desg
that all flags be hoisted at half mast
that day.
THE STATE ENCAMPMENT.
The State encampment at Lafayette is
now attracting the attention of the posts.
Lafayette is preparing to take care Of all
who may attend. The fact that the State
Soldiers Home has been located near
Lafayette gives additional interest 10 the
meeting the first week in April. The citi-
zens will run steamers up the river to the
location. 1t is probable that positive action
will no fol
ton of the site which Tippecanoe county
and the city of Lafayette have donated the
Grand Army for State soldiers home The
occasion of half fares will afford others an
opportunity TO visit Purdue University and
examine the facilities which it offers for
practical education.
Among the important matters which will
come before the encamDment is the PROPOSE
ton of Col B. G. Shaw, a delegate from
Thomas Post, relative to the method of
mastering out or the dissolution Of posts.
The present rules provide for the surren-
der of the post charters and all the rec
ordS to department headquarters under GER
tain conditions thus putting the post rec
ords in a mass, in possible danger in time
to wholesale destruction and loss to posterir
ty. BY the proposed plan. under similar conf
ditions, duplicate rolls of the entire men,
bership OF a post. giving the army service
and descriptive list of each member OF the
post, from the beginning. will be made up,
including their post record. and upon the
department headquarters having been duly
notified OF their readiness the department
commander will fix date when he or his
representative Will appear before the sur
vivinS members of the post, in a public
meeting, where the post will be duly mus
tered out with appropriate ceremonies The
post charter and one copy of the muster
out roll VIII be turned over, after being
duly attested, to local committee charged
with the duty of their preservation in the
most appropriate public manner as the au-
thentic military and patriotic record Of it's
members. The duplicate roll aud records
of the post will be returned to department
headquarters.
The various changes in the rules and reg
ulations and the necessary new sections
are set forth in the same paper. Additional
rules to be requested TO carry out the new
order for mastering poFts out of the Grand
Army and providing for the restoration of
members TO their original numbers who,
through inability, or even carelessness, have
permitted their names TO be dropped from
the membership of the post.
The plan has been approved by the COM
radeS, TO whom II has been submitted for
advice and encouragement. and will no
doubt be approved by the department. en-
campment. and submitted in due form TO
the National Encampment for final action.
1t would seem to be fitting programme
for the soldier organizations, doomed by
nature TO short duration as living body
that their records may be preserved in the
place or their organization, and among the
individual members descendants. which in
most localities. would soon be the only au-
| thentic public record of their life and serv-
ices, and during all the years to come
| would be valuable souvenir and positive
| proof of their service to their country.
| Army man has heard and many have seen
| him. He has just been suffering a reaYl-
| putation of both legs. OF Sergeant David
| Pitcher, Of the same Brooklyn post of the
Grand Army, few have heard He was
! wounded in the hip at Fredericksburg For
years he has been a silent sufferer go
affected by the vet open wound that he can
not get out Of doors. The two veterans are
! fast friends. While in the hospital being
| treated Corporal Tanner sent flowers to his
| friend and comrade with this message: AZ
| am bouyed up by the thought of the patience
| which enables you to endure an affiction
worse than mine"
The day that Corporal Tanner insisted
| less but he had his friends drive him around
! 10 the house in which Sergeant Pitcher &C.
| cupies the second floor. Neither could move
| but the helpless man in the carriage saluted
| and smiled and the helpless man in the win
/ dow returned both. Neither could speak so
| that the other could hear even If their
! voices had not been drowned in tears To
| his friend Tanner turned.
! Major he whispered, ego up. please
and shake hands with Sergeant Pitcher and
! say, Good day and God bless you for me
TO him." The Major went up and delivered
the message with a qUaverng voice The
| Sergeant braced up and said TO his wife:
My dear, please go down and shake hands
! with Corporal Tanner for me. and thank
| him for his call and wish him speedy re-
COVery."
/ The Sergeants wife went down and when
she had done as bid Ma jOr Wright got into
! the carriage and told the driver to start.
| Then Sergeant Pitcher in the window
| kissed his hand TO Corporal Tanner in the
| carriage. The Corporal kissed his hand