The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-10
GRAND ARMY MEN RALLY
Never Has There Been Such
an Assem- blage of Old
Soldiers.
SAILORS TURN OUT IN FORCE
Members Of the Women's Relief
Corps Present at the Great
Encampment.

LOUISVILLE, KY, Sept. 9.-The in
vasion of Southland by the Grand Army
commenced at daybreak and continued
far into the night, with the prospect of still
greater hosts for the morrow. Horse, foot
and Dragons from the two extremes of
the continent, the veterans of the war
charged front, flank and rear through the
open gates of Louisville and proceeded to
avail themselves of the invitation, to be
seen on every hand, to make themselves
comfortable in an "Old Kentucky Home"
Throughout the day the scenes about
the four depots, where thousands had gath
cred to give the visitors greeting. were ex-
hilarating and inspiring. Train after train,
as fast as they could be switched, deposited
their contingents, which marched with
military tread to the streets outside whence
with military bands and banners, they
were escorted to headquarters. Posts from
Texas followed delegations from New
York, the blue of aristocratic Washington
rubbed shoulders with hardy veterans
from Oregon; and New Jerseyites, as they
marched along, renewed acquaintances
with comrades from the Hawkeye State.
According to present indications the en-
be one of the most successful in the history
of the Grand Army. With the exception
of the ladies of the G. A. r., all of the or
CARNATIONS that will meet in convention
this week opened headquarters to-day.
COMMANDMENTS Chief Lawler took posses
sion of the main parlor of the Gait House,
where from to 6 o'clock he held recep-
ton for the people of Louisville, New
Albany and Jacksonville Next door the
flag of the Women's Relief Corps was dis
PLAYED, and National President Margaret
Wallace, with her staff, received the visi-
tors. The tars of the Naval Veterans
Association took possession of the boats
William Tell and Carrie Hope, and the
official feet was placed in commission at
4 o'clock with the usual naval exercises.
At the annual dog watch tonight the ex-
sailors were welcomed by Governor Brown
and Mayor Tyler, and responses were
made by Rear Admiral Allen of Hartford
and Shipmate Robinson of Philadelphia.
The ex-Prisoners of War established
themselves in wing OF Music Hall, where
they fraternized with the survivors of the
Mississippi River ram feet, who will meet
in convention tomorrow.
Tonight ommander Lawler and staff.
General G. T. Walker of Indianapolis, the
leading candidate to succeed Lawler, ex-
Speaker Warren Kiefer of Ohio, Colonel J.
NJ. Schoonmaker and Henry Watterson
were banqueted by Colonel Andrew Cowan,
since the war a resident of Louisville, and
who during the conflict commanded the
First New York Battery.
Of the arrivals to-day the Old Guard of
Washington, with their bearskin chapeaus,
and the members of John A. Dix Post of
New York, who cut wide swath with
their white helmets and cutawav suits, at
tracted the most attention and divided
honors; but tonight both were in danger
of eclipse from the celebrated Ransom
Post of st. Louis, of which General Sher-
man was the first commander and which
has carried off the honors of many previous
encampments. The New Hampshire men
told of the State they hailed from through
the medium of small blocks of granite
pendant from their badges, while the
Kansans, the advance guard of whom,
1900 strong, came in late tonight, sported
grasshopper with sunfower suspended
from a red ribbon.
Despite the fact that the rush to-day
more than doubles expectations, there was
little confusion or difficulty in housing the
delegates, and the plans of the entertain
ment committee worked to a charm.
Twenty-Five information bureaus were
opened during the day, and they were later
supplemented by hastily constructed
booths at the street corners, where all in
quiries were answered and visitors who
had become turned around were put on
the right track.
Only 1000 assignments to free quarters
were made to-day. Elaborate press head
quarters were opened by the local news
paper men, where every facility was
afforded the visiting writer's.
Buffalo has entered the list for the honor
OF entertaining the next encampment.
Among the delegates on the ground Den
yer is the favorite, with st. Paul close
second.