Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-16
Many G. A. R. Delegates Back From
the Louisville Elcampment.
IMPRESSIONS OF CAPT. ]. M EDGAR
Generous Hospitality and "OId
Glory. displayed Everywhere.
DISTRICT REPRESENTATION

About 150 members of the Grand Army
representation at Louisville from the Dis
trict of Columbia returned to this city yes
terday at noon. Department Commander
Anderson decided to spend a week a Chick
amauga and will not arrive in Washington
until next Monday
Capt. James NJ. Edgar, commander of the
Old Guard, was among the party that ar
rived here yesterday. He was seen by
Star reporter today and was greatly pleased
with the reception that was given the
Grand Army by Louisville as well as by
the manner in which the District of Colum-
bia contingent appeared in the parade.
II have never seen the Grand Army given
so cordial reception at any of our en-
campments,'' said Capt. Edgar. Il have
attended seven encampments, and this was
the first one of the seven held in the south.
For twenty miles out OF Louisville on the
Louisville and Nashville railroad the houses
were decorated and people stood at their
doors waving old glory. The city and sur
rounding country We'd with each other to
see which could show its cordial feelings
most emphatically l have never seen any
thing like it, Everywhere the people gave
US the heartiest welcome, and there was
nothing that occurred to mar the pleasant
ness of our visit so far as the attitude OF
the people was concerned.
The Red. White nnd Blue Everywhere
and suburbs there was displayed no banner
or emblem that could give offense to the
most exacting of Grand Army men. 1t was
the red. white and blue that was to he seen
on every hand.
Every one conceded that the representa-
tives of the Grand Army from the District
of Columbia carried off the bonors of .he
day. The Old Guard had with 1t the Mt.
Pleasant Field Band of seventy-one pieces,
and all along the line it was greeted with
thing new for the people of Louisville to
see the little fellows in their bright. uni
forms. We had about 255 Grand Army men
from the District Of Columbia in line, there
beng fifty-five members of the Old Guard.
After the parade we We're congratulated on
all sides on the showing that was made.
Sumner Post, the Colored command, was
represented by between thirty and forty
members, but o. P. Morton Post had hardly
a dozen members in line.
Women's Encampment Delayed.
"The train 1 came on brought about one
hundred and fifty members, the balance of
our Grand Army people either going to
Chickamauga or visiting their homes. A
great many of our members live in the
west and they took advantage Of the occa-
sion to see their old friends The women's
encampment was delayed in Its meetings,
so that many of the ladies were not able
to come with us. Some question was rais-
ed in their encampmeat over the admis-
sion of one of their past commanders. ana
the case was carried into court, which re-
suited in the loss of one day in their de-
liberations.
Nothing I have ever seen has been so
truly gratifying to the men who desired a
Perfect reunion of the north and south, and
the complete wiping out of sectional lines
as the Grand Army encampment at Louis
vile. No one gave us more hearty well
come than was given by the men who had
worn the gray, yet these latter soldiers
who had fought for what they believed to
be right made an especial point of display
ing no emblems that might call up any
feeling on the part of the Grand Army
regarding the great struggle in which all
lad fought. They welcomed US as brothers
might welcome brothers, and l am sure
that the splendid scene of cordial hospi-
tality made an impression on every Grand
Army man, which can never be forgotten.
"Above all the memories of the conflict
which ended in 1865, came that feeling that
the country was indeed. reunited, and that
within it's borders from north to south there
was entertained a feeling of love for but
one flag, and that the one for which the
Grand Army fought.
No Sectional Feeling Manifested.
There was nothing about the encamp
ment at Louisville to suggest the presence
of the least sectional feeling. We were all
soldiers who had been in terrible struggle
together, and we all met as about one camp
fire, with one common cause.
1.-The reunion was greatly enjoyed by
the people of Louisville apparently as it
was by ourselves. They all felt the I'M
portance of the occasion and seemed TO
take the greatest satisfaction in showing
their love for all soldiers who had fought,
although not on their side Of the conflict.
The encampment at Louisville was a great
event in our history, and l think that no
man who was there present will ever sug-
gest the idea of any sectional feeling ex-
listing anywhere in this country among
true soldiers"