The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-09-19

better able to stand the expense and the
wear and tear of travel, but because as
the ranks are thinned out the survivors
feel more strongly drawn toward one an
other. Each of them feels more keenly
than ever before that this may be the
last time he will be able to f~Oregather
with his comrades, SO he goes himself, if
it is humanity possible; and, if he can, he
takes his family along, so that his chill
dren may see the men side by side with
whom he fought.
Drawing to q Close.
But the day of large gatherings is slow
ly and surely drawing to ii close. Each
year depletes the ranks. This was not
So perceptible at first because the Grand
Army has kept on growing long after
the wal was over. The men who did not
join it at first. either because their atten-
ton was absorbed, in earning a living
or because the war was still so near them
hat it's memories had not ceased to be
disagreeable, one by one Joined that or
ganization. So it grew while the number
of old soldiers was decreasing. That Pc
Rod of growth is over now, and gradually
these annual encampments will dwindle
till tens meet where thousands meet now.
First South of the Ohio.
This encampment was a notable one,
as it was the first held south of the Ohio
River. The "boys' marched in a familiar
direction and near to the locality Of STIR
ring scenes in their lives, but they went
down there with different feelings from
those of thirty years ago. The events in
Chiago's OakwOOds Cemetery on DecOra-
ion Day, as we'll as the cordial invitations
from Atlanta to Northern soldiery, go to
show that the era of complete %reconcilia-
ton is at hand. This years encampment
will expedite its fruition. The men of the
blue and the gray will get better ac-
quainted with each other, M will be
better friends hereafter for this meeting.
The extraordinary preparations which
Louisville made and the cordiality of well
come all pointed to the same result. The
encampment naturally attracted large
numbers of the ex-COnfederates also,
and the commingling of the old-time enc
mics under the standard of peace added
its influences also toward the cementing
of kindly feelings.
Louisville's Hospitality.
Though many of the veterans during
the year have replied to the last muster
call, the encampment was one Of the most
successful the Grand Army has ever had.
Certainly under the circumstances it was
one of the most interesting. Kentucky is
closely allied to Ohio, Indiana, and ILL
nois, and thousands of its sons have set
tied in those States. The ties between
them are strong, and to large numbers of
these veterans the welcome was like
a family one. Louisville did its best upon
this occasion. MIR. Watterson and his
starry-eyed girl did their best also, and
if the blue invasion had threatened to be
TOO much for the city the whole
Blue Grass region would have come to
the rescue. There vas room enough,
however, for all. Louisville never was
known to get too full. The people of the
rity secured concessions from railroads
and hotels, and even arranged for free
sleeping quarters in schoolhOuses and
other buildings, with the additional pro-
vision Of tents and barracks. The schools
Tor lie week were dismissed. Fully 300,