Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-05-03
THE GRAND ARMY.
Twelfth Annual Department Encamp-
ment in Santa Fe-GOodly At
tendance of Delegates.
National Officers Present-Streets Dec
orated--Historic Points Visited
Routine Business-Meeting
Tonight.

Grand Army of the Republic, department
of New Mexico, met in Santa Fe this
morning with a goodly attendance of
delegates from the various posts Of the
territory. 1t will continue in session to-
morrow.
Commander-in-C Chief Thomas G. Law
Ter, of Rockford, Illinois, at the head of
the Grand Army of the Republic, accom-
panied by his adjutant general, Cassius
Clay JONES', also of Rockford, arrived in
Santa Fe from Denver over the broad
gauge at $50 last night, and were met at
the train by Department Commander
George W. Knaebel and staff, Post Com
mander Francis Downs and several other
prominent Grand Army men. After a
cordial interchange of greetings the dis
tinguished visitors were conveyed in car
riages to the suite of rooms provided for
them at the Palace. The gentlemen will
| attend the meetings of the department
encampment of the G. A. r. in Santa Fe
today, and, in order to meet pressing
engagement, will leave for Chicago at
1920 tonight. ..
| This is Gen. LAWYERS first visit to the
historic capital of the territorial em pire
known on the map as New Mexico.
| Naturally he takes deep interest in the
unique intermingling of the old and the
new, the ancient adobe buildings and the
! fine modern public buildings and resi-
dences, tallow candles and electric lights,
corn fields in the outskirts alongside of
magnificent orchards fragrant and blush
seat of Christianity and Oldest military
post on American soil. Personally he is
fine looking man, much younger in ap-
pearance than one would expect to see,
and his black hair, long moustache,
piercing black eyes and strong features
remind one of the lamented Gen. John A.
Logan. He is rather short and quite
heavy set, dresses becomingly in black,
has very pleasing address and is an en-
thusiast in his work.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
General Thomas G. Lawler was born in
Liverpool, England, April 7, 1874. He
came to Illinois when a child and re-
ceived his education in the public
schools of Rockford, where he has since
resided. The war broke out when he was
II years old and he enlisted as a private
in company E, 18th Illinois Volunteers.
] III
years and three months. He was with
his company and his regiment in every
battle in which they we're engaged. He
was the first man to carry the colors of
his regiment over the Confederate breast
works at the battle of Missionary Ridge.
He rose from private to sergeant and
then to first lieutenant, but was not mus
tered as commissioned officer; COM
manded his company for two months
during the Atlanta campaigns; was elect
ed SO by vote of his company, and was
placed on the roll of honor by order of
General Rosecrans, who was in command
of the army of the Cumberland. He or
ganized the Rockford rifles in 1876 and
made it the most efficient and best known
military organization in the west. He
Sd regiment of the Illinois national guard
for seven years. He resigned in order to
give his younger officers chance of pro-
motion. He was postmaster of Rockford,
under Hayes, Harrison and Garfield, and
is now engaged in the lumber and coal
business. General Lawler was one of the
| first members of G. L. Nevius post, No. l.,
department of Illinois, G. A. R, which
has M membership of nearly 600, and is
the third largest post in that department.
He has been its commander for twenty
six consecutive years. He served for five
years as member of the department
council of administration, one year each
as junior and senior vice department
commander, and was elected by unani-
nous vote of the encampment to the
position of department commander for
the year 1882, his post refusing to accept
his resignation as its commander during
the year of his service as department
commander.
GEN. G. G. JONES.
The frat official act of Gen. Thomas G.
Lawlsr, commander-in-chief of the G. 4.
R., was the appointment of his lifelong
friend, Cassius Clay Jones, of Rockford,
as his adjutant general. Commander
Lawler insisted, before his election, that
his adjutant general must, in case he won,
come from his home city, where he could
consult with him. The appointment,
therefore, could not have been improved
upon, for Comrade Jones is not only we'll
qualified for the position, but is also one
of the most popular men in Grand Army
circles in Illinois, having wide acquaint-
ance all over the state. Gen. Jones is a
native of Seneca Falls, N. Y, having been
born there May 8, 1845. He isn't man
who brags much of his war record, but
nevertheless he did good service for his
country in the navy, enlisting when men
we're needed and standing by the gun I'M
til the war was over, when he received an
honorable discharge. He enlisted at AL
bany, N. Y, being assigned to the United