The herald., 1895-08-13
Veterans Attend a Soldiers
h0me Reception
ALL HAD A SPLENDID TIME
Sketch Of the New Commander, Who
Fought in Many Battles
the Revolution, and Lived to See
the Union Win

CAMP FORT FISHER, Santa Monica.
Aug. l2.---The camp was deserted by vet
erans nearly all day, the occasion being
the reception at the soldiers home.
A special train, consisting OF ten coaches.
on the Southern Pacific, carried about
1000 veterans and their families to the
home, and fully 500 more went in car
riages. When they arrived the soldiers
home pand was drawn up at the entrance
and greeted them with patriotic music.
Governor Rowland and his staff met them
and welcomed them to the nome in a
brief speech. He told the veterans to take
anything they wanted and have good
time. When he told them to confiscate
anything, Adjutant Roach stepped up and
took:his hat and a lady took his glasses.
The governor would probably have becn
minus more OF his wearing apparel had
he not called u halt and said he did not
refer to his raiment. Lunch was served
In the assembly hall and Commander A..
F. Dill made a speech. After lunch tho
veterans strolled around the grounds. in
spected the hospital and dormitories and
had a royal good time. They returned to
Camp Fort Fisher loud in their praises of
Governor Rowland's hospitality.
In the evening the veterans of the SOL
diers' home had charge of the pro-
gramme. and they presented fine con-
cert.
The picture OF George 7. Downing, who
was elected commandel OF the Southern
California Veterans association last FRI
day, is herewith presented. 1t was taken
last Saturday and. while it does not fl at
ter him. is y pretty fair likeness. Down
ing has war record which he may we'll
be proud of. He was born in Troy city,
N. Y. in l841. and when 20 years of age
joined Harris light cavalry and went to
the front, serving under such famous gen.
erals as Fitzpatrick, Custer. Wilson and
Sheridan. AT Brandywine Station, where
the union cavalry gained supremacy over
the southern ohivalrv" for the first
time, Downing was in the foremost rank.
The southerners bcasted that they could
out ride and fight the blue but they were
mistaken.
Downing fought at the battles of Get.
tysburg. Boonsborougb, Falling Waters,
Wilderness. Spottsylvania. Coal Harbor.
Todds Tavern, and was with Little Phil
at Waynesborough at the windup of the
was com pletely routed. He also served
in the battle at Five Forks and at Sailors
Creek where 10, 600 rebels were captured.
He was on the field at the surrender of
General Lee and was mustered out of
service at Alexandria, Va.
Commander Downing's grandfather,
Samuel Downing, was one of the heroes
of the revolutionary war and died In 1866
He lived to see the side win on which his
son fought. and followed the progress of
the war through the newspapers with
great interest. although he was over 100
years old. Downing went home during
the war to celebrate the old mans Tooth
birthday. He died in 1866 at the age of
LOG yeais 3 months and one week, and
was the last living hero of the revolution.
There we're four brothers who went to
the Gulf in New Orleans and was later
appointed an Indian scout and was killed
on the plains. The other three are still
live and, save George, live in Michigan.
George is in Pasadena, where he is in
the plumbing business.
At guard mount this morning Colonel
Frank +. Beahn of the Army and Navy
union was made officer of the day and
Cupid Sam kutz was appointed officer of
the guard.
Tomorrow will he National guard day,
will furnish the programme.
The election of officers OF the w. r. G.
will be held tomorrow. Mrs. Kate G.
Munson OF Los nAgeles and Mrs. Susie
NJ. Sweet OF Pomona are candidates, and
each ones constituents are electioneering
for her in manner which would put
ward politicians to blush.
Officer Walker of the Los Angeles police
force and daughter. Miss Mabel, and Miss
Josie Lonsberry OF Los Angeles ale visit
ing the camp today.
o. Stever of Los Angeles is visiting the
camp.