New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-08
GRAND ARMY BUGLE NOTES.
THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC ELECTION.

The references in last Mondays "Bugle Notes"
to hints OF unfarness relative TO the election Of Cen
eral John Gibbon TO the presidency of the Society
Of the Army OF the Potomac. at Its recent annual
reunion at New London. Conn. have caused con-
siderable talk in Grand Army circles during the
last week. General Calvin f. Pratt. OF Brooklyn
Judge OF the Supreme Court Of the lid judicial DIS
trict. was General Gibbons principal opponent
Friends Of General Gibbon assert that his election
was altogether fair and regular and that he was
DOT chosen for the purpose OF FURNISHING MN WIN
an opportunity TO inject into his address as the
incoming president a vindcation Of General fltz
John Porter. General John T. Lockman. OF this
city, one OF the most honored members OF the Poto-
mac Society and the 18th Army Corps. has sent the
following note
To the Editor OF The Tribune. ,ou
the head OF Grand Army Bugle Notes, state,
Gibbon for the presidency OF the Army OF the 70
tomac. AS mentioned in the statement; tne nun ,
as my name has been used in connection with the
statement deem IT my duty to emphaticaiy a En
boes election was ever expressed by members OF
the 18th Corps. In fact have never heard the the
in print this morning JOHN nj Loo L4CKNIsAsN
Colonel A. NJ. Clark. the secretary Of the Society
of the Fifth Army Corps. which was General Ftz
John Porter's old command. repels the insinuation
that General Gibbons election was due to Tam
many manoeuvring' Nominations. Colonel clark
writes made by corps. The list. I'd. Sd ana
4th corps nominate General Gibbon: the 5th nomi-
mated General +. A. Walker. the 9th and 18th named
General w. W. Henry. the 9th. 10th. 18th a2d 18Th
corps nominated General Calvin f. Pratt; General
d. Mem. Gregg was named by the Cavalry corps
while the 18th and Signal corps and the general
stan made nomination. Before the voting began
General Henry withdrew In favor of General Glib
bon; the 9TH corps went to General Gibbon. -Four
telers appointed. and when the voting was
they counted the ballots Out OF e5 votes cast
they found that General Gibbon had 12l; Genera
Pratt q: General Gregg. 20 and General Walker 3.
Colonel Clark. who himself one of the tellers,
adds
The 3D. 80. 9Th and 9Th corps were more largely
represented at the meeting than were the other
EXCEPTING that for General Walker-very nearly
corresponds with the number present OF the corps
there was any 'Tammany' in this the teers failed
to detect It, and they are content IN the teller tnst
IN fun accord with the preference OF a large ma
jority OF the society.
The fact that General Gibbons address was pre-
pared beforehand" Colonel Clark regards as no evil
dence that General Gibbon assured of his cleo
tion." Old soldiers rarely extempore speakers.
and the Colonel remembers but one on-hand Grafton
OF this kind-that OF General Horace Porter In
Brooklyn in 1884
Some of the things which General Gibbon said
regarding the case OF General Porter In the ad-
dress which has been criticised the following:
The rule which should govern. and the only one,
ought to be say only h the truth r OF the ao
this great country of ours would have escaped
S4 and 0ns
long years Of agony and shame Now fancy .S;
from the shoulders of such an innocent man. by
the abest military minds of the country. proclaim.
against him We're False false Sons Of US can fully
ton cannot exaggerate 1t. Can any, one who has
suffered such undeserved fortunes be indemnified
swer it. We az know well what the s answer from
n e ,en ms o%btSe Thome. to be met with who
would not be convinced though one rose from the
But are you sure your view Of the case is correct?
Are the facts SUN nes a a 50 s
Of the monument where Warren fell to open their
skulls to the fact of the existence OF the force OF
1t is said to have been claimed by some during
the that o. or h ped
hs ,ss sSn a xs at tire e
to the truth and the facts in this notorious case.
fairs back to It's natural grooves. 1t takes time
10 overcome opinions formed under such crcum-
stances. But in a country like ours. blessed with
free institutions and untrammelIed press. after
an sTe e ali hs nF Of
trial through which he has gone. there remain
outlived his calumnies and has demonstrated TO the
satisfaction of his countrymen and to their repre-
charges against him. and has done what few other
men have ever done under like circumstances. placed
his clearly record that history can make
mistake in regard TO II.
High Private" writing from Albany July 8. says:
Headquarter officials busy. individuals about
ing off and returning reports which are Incorrect
and up wSh ee and the
acting assistant quartermaster general. Some OF
n nns been foT@oten while others"we the least
said about them the better II the loss IN member
reports that are to come there will be sad fall
ing off it, numbers in this department Department
Commander Z. J. Atkinson and Assistant Quarter
General NJ ]. Cummings are expected here
tomorrow.
When the survivors Of the Third Army Corps gath
cred at Hadley Mass. last May. part of the plan
connected with the reunion to have the vet
Grams of the corps contribute 81 each for the por
trait Of Maior-General Joseph Hooker. to be pre-
sented &c the town of Hadey. The scheme was
only partially successful. the "old boys" are so
scattered that many failed TO hear Of it, although
thousands OF circulars were sent out large num-
Der of the Third Corps live In the States Of NewYork
and Pennsylvania. and there are still few hum
dred dollars be raised. Contributions should be
sent to the treasurer. Major w. p Shreve. No. l47
TremOnt-st Boston. The roll Of contributors will
soon be closed
The formation OF organizations in several cities
OF the department to attend the next National En-
campment In a body. either a battalion or COM
pany. meets the hearty approval Of the Department
Commander He thinks that the commendable
feature of such plans must be apparent to all He
therefore recommends that in neghborhoods where
such organizations can be instituted. steps be i'm
mediately taken 10 carry out such plan. The citi-
OF Louisville. fully realizing the honor paid
them in the selection OF their city In which to hold
the National Encampment of 1885, making great
efforts render the visit Of every veteran one of
interest and pleasure 1t is therefore desirable that
every comrade of this department who
venienty attend will avail himself of the oppor-
tunity. Rates of fare on trunk lines of railways
and other Information VIII be published soon
John A. Dix Post No. 1885, has passed a resolution
deciding to attend the Louisville Encampment In a
body, and every comrade who do Will 20
along Arrangements have been made reduced
rates with the railroad company for sleeping
which will be utilized by the veterans during their
sojourn in Kentucky. General ~ W. Day, of
tho most earnest workers OF the post says that
the turnout will be a splendid
General Alexander J. Mackay. of General George
II. Thomas's stan during the war, has been spend