The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-11
At CAMP FORT FISHER.
George T.Downing Was Elected
Commander of the
Veterans.
Warriors of the Soldiers Home
Paraded on Santa Monica
Day.

ceedlngS.
1t looked at one time this morning as
though the camp would have to do with
out its colors and the guardhouse the
simple furniture which adorns the prison
house. While the camp was still in charge
of the ladies this morning it was invaded
by members of the National Guard of
California and the colors were stolen.
After a sharp pursuit by the ladies the
rebels were captured and taken in the arms
of the ladies, who were arrayed in fatigue
uniforms, mother hubbards, boomers,
after-tea and before-breakfast gowns. At
s o'clock they succeeded in recapturing
their colors and the daughters of the
veterans were happy in consequence.
Because this was Santa Monica day, it
was conceded that it would be the best of
the encampment. and every train on both
the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Railroad
was crowded and the camp early packed
with visitors. 1t was also parade day and
there were two professions, the first taking
place at 10 A. NJ, and the second, by mem
bers of the Soldiers Home, at 2P.M.
The first parade was participated in by
members of the camp, and the veterans
made superb showing as they marched
through the town with colors flying and
cheering multitude along the line of march,
with decorations on all the public build
ings and stores and on many of the resi-
dences. Il was the best parade of veterans
ever seen in Southern California.
At-2 o'clock the "boys" from the Sol
diers' Home came by Southern Pacific
special and gave the town and camp the
second parade. There were 300 men in
line, headed by the Soldiers Home band,
with ]. NJ. Hopper in command as marshal
of the day. The first organization was the
John A. Martin Post, G. A. r., It's strong,
with Commander James Prior leading.
They were followed by Encampment No.
1873, Union Veteran Legion, in charge of
Colonel Miller, and then came Naval Vet
eran Union No. SO in command of J. STRAIT
ton.
They were met at the camp entrance by
Commander Dill and staff, who escorted
them to headquarters, where he extended
to them the freedom of the camp Happy
responses were made by those in charge
of the various divisions, and then an ad-
journment was made to the John A Mar
tin Post headquarters, where reception
was given.
There being no dress parade, that por-
ton of the day was employed by the vari-
Gus State associations in distributing
badges to their members and having pict-
ures made.
Tie big tent was crowded at the hour set
for the annual election of officers of the
association, when the veterans were to
select commander, senior vice-com-
mander, junior vice-commander and a
council of administration for the ensuing
year. There was contest in every in
stance. Promptly on time Commander
Dill called the assemblage to order and
stated that only the commander, adjutant
and THE CALL representative would be
allowed on the platform, thus making THE
CALL the official paper of the encampment.
George L. Downing and G. G. Brown of
Pasadena and Colonel H. t. Glaze of Los
Angeles were placed in nomination for
commander, the various nominating and
seconding speeches being oratorical in the
extreme. The vote resulted: Downing
223, Brown 80 and Glaze 81.
For senior vice-commander George w.
Harrington of Los Angeles and A. ]. Bell
of Ventura were placed in nomination,
Bell securing the prize, the vote being:
Bell III, Darlington 88.
For junior vice-commander s. 7. Stobv
and T. B. Hartzel, both of San Diego, were
the candidates, Stoby being elected. The
vote was: Stoby 80, Hartzel AZ.
The following gentlemen were elected as
the council of administration: Samuel
Kutz, Frank Bartlett Post, Los Angeles:
Ihnto
geles; DR.. A. G. Heating, German Post, San
Bernardino; Samuel Hellman, Starr King
Post, Santa Barbara; John BROKER, Dan
Bidwell Post, Norwalk; 7. B. Hartzel,
Heintzleman Post, San Diego; A. H. John
son, Monrovia; G.. W. Harrington, Vicks-
burg Post, Pomona; Frank McCarrie, Dan
Bidwell Post, Santa Fe Springs; J. L. Hat
terry, German Post, San Bernardine; r. r.
Harris, Fort Fisher Post, Santa Monica;
E. P. Sanborn, Major Eddy Post, Santa
Paula. There was a tie between BROKER
and Bartholomew, to be settled later.
George T. Downing, the new commander,
comes of an old American family Of patri-
OTIS of five generations, who have made
luminous the page of history by their val
liant deeds. He enlisted on September II,
1861, at the earnest solicitation OF a grand
sire who had fought in the Revolution and
lived to see the cause of liberty triumphant
in 1865. A round, chubby-faced lad,
scarcely ready to battle for life, he entered
the struggle by becoming member of the
Harris Light Cavalry. the Second New
York, and was during the conflict under
the commands of Fitzpatrick, Wilson, Gus
ter and the immortal Sheridan. He went
into the contest a private and came out
quartermaster sergeant, never seeking pro-
motion like many, but rather following the
maxim of doing well whatever he found to
do for God and country.
He was courageous, always at the front,
receiving many commentators for brav-
cry from his superiors, and in four years
saw about all the real hard fighting man
cares to in one life, his regiment being in
the battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor,
Spottsylvania, Gettysburg, Brandy Sta
ton, marlborough, Boonesborough, Up
perville, Falling Waters. and in all of the
fights of the valley ending when Lee sur
rendered at Appomattox. He came out of
the contest man christened by the touch
of comrades deaths and pain, baptized by