The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-11-08

Inc Following circular issued Dy the
department commander of the g. A. r.
In connection with the last reunion at
Louisville, has just been received by
the veterans in Butte, who regard it
with particular interest and pride:
Headquarters Department Of Mon
tana G. A. R. Office of the Com
mander.
Helena, Mont. 1895.
Circular No. 1.-The commander
brings words of cheer to the comrades
of the department from the recent ma
tional encampment of the Grand Army
of the Republic at Louisville, Ky.
In its wisdom a year ago the dele
gated authority of the Grand Army
voted that the supreme body should
meet in 1895 in a city south of the Ohio.
The decision brought joy to the veter-
ans of the order, their families and
friends who a month since in endless
procession crossed the river from north
to south. On the other side they were
met with open arms, with bounding
hearts, with words and acts of glad
ness and welcome. Indeed 1t was a
greeting never surpassed in cordiality
from countrymen for countrymen be-
tween whom no ugly war memories
longer fingered.
lit was a vast undertaking-the en-
tertainment of the comrades, their
wives, daughters and sons-whose
numbers by a hundred thousand ex-
ceeded the two hundred thousand who
bid them welcome within their gates.
Never were the eyes of veterans
greNed with a grander emblaZonment
of banners and bunting. From base
ment to housetop a great and beauti-
full southern city was deliberately and
tastefully dressed in national colors,
al 81 tnd ~.
one flag of one countryside glorious
stars and stripes. Hospitality, too,
was everywhere; Ii stopped at no door
step; II reached TO the innermost cir
Giles of every fireside.
Across the interval of 80 years Sec
tional divisions have disappeared. The
wide chasm of civil strife yawns no
more. Peace is in all the land. The
men of contending armies. survivors
of the mighty struggle of '61-65 have
grounded arms forever. They may
well clasp hands, as at Louisville and
Chickamauga, reconciled brothers of
one united loyal American family. in
Invisible and enduring to the end of
time. /
such, comrades, is the lesson which
the encampment Of the Grand Army
just concluded on southern soil ndeli-
bly, impressed upon and fixed in the
minds of the great host of union veter-
ans, many thousands of whom spent in
good part the month of September
south of the Ohio.
Arm in arm. the blue and the gray
marched down upon the old battle
grounds, and together tramped over
the historic fields of strife. Incidents
that half a lifetime had dmmed.
scenes that the passing cycles had
made indistinct, were revived by those
who had half remembered and those
who had half forgot. These grizzled
warriors, whom the sheltering hand of
providence had saved. were everywhere
together. through forest and field. over
hills, across streams, searching out
camp grounds and places OF conflict
that many had not visited for third
of a century. Imagine, IL you can, how
foes of the war time could closer
friends become in time OF peacel
''By these tokens and in the manner.
here described fraternized comrades of
the grand army and confederates. The
voices are many that will confirm all
that Is here imperfectly recited. The
comrades were guests in scores OF
towns and cities. and they traversed
the old fields of contention, under
southern escort, from the Ohio to the
Cumberland, from Nashville TO Allan
ia and beyond to the sea.
The commander congratulates the
were well II not largely represented at
the national encampment of the cur
rent year. Every Montana comrade
present marched in the grand parade.
and Notwithstanding the taxing tenn
perature of a hundred degrees re-
mained in ranks to the finish There
were cheers for the banner OF Mon
tana and the men who followed Il from
end TO end OF the line OF march. They
shared in the unbounded hospitality
dispensed by the people OF Kentucky's
metropolis. and they were glad they
were there. What the comrades alb
sent missed is lamented. Not so much
II Is thought. will ever again in the
lifetime OF the Grand Army be permit-
ted 90 escape them.
Another year. comrades. the nation
al encampment viii come nearer your
doors. I should try and be there
should be the resolve OF every member
OF the splendid order whom every most
OF the department can send TO the cam
kal city OF Minnesota.
Robert +. Fisk. Commander"
Attest: Ed. $. Walker.
Assistant Adjutant General"
Smoke la Msrlde. finest Havana cigar. Fac