Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-11
AT CAMP BENSON.
Muster Opens Under Auspicious Circumstan
ces-President Davis Gives Address.

! Camp Benson, Aug. 10.-Notwith-
standing the extremely warm weather
the opening day saw many people or
the grounds and by night the tents
We're up and housekeeping fully be-
| gun. Many of the tents are neat
| looking and at night present most at
| tractive appearance when they arr
| lighted up.
| The Dexter cottage is decorated with
a large number of small flags and pre-
| sents a fine appearance. The Pitts
| field cottage. owned by the Sons nf
Veterans. is decorated with bunting III
the national colors and is very attract
| I'VE looking.
The Palmyra band was on hand and
dispensed excellent music at the open
| ing exercises. which were held In the
pavilion. Saturday afternoon. Presi-
dent Davis presided and his inaugural
address. though short. was stirring.
He spoke of the joyful contrast be-
tween this joyful meeting in days Of
peace and the gathering in So 10 fight
for the preservation OF the Union. He
said we are the old boys the gay
f}il DpNSt llit- kiillSS y lllfl u VIZ iAti
and may build and rear viii grow old,
but we. never"
He appealed t. the patriotism. 10y
atty and valor which were ever the
| characteristics Of those days when
they marched with clinched teeth
and set purpose to serve the country
IN her hour OF need. President Davis
| concluded his address with an admo-
milton to his comrades to never forget
that they We're men and members Of
the grandest body OF men that walk
the earth today. the Grand Army of
the Republic
During the exercises the members Of
the association solemnly pledged
themselves anew to give a true and
hearty support to the association and
! the Grand Army. a ceremony which
added much to the impressiveness of
the exercises.
| Committees We're appointed for each
day for the purpose of arranging and
| carrying out the programme for that
\ day. The chairman reports each day s
/ doings 10 the president SO that at the
! end OF the week the president will have
a full account of the proceedings The
committee for Saturday were Comrades
| Ross. Babb and Carr. y, NJ Sawtelle.
/ the colonel commanding, the Camp
| Benson Association has full charge Of
| the military department. Pres. Davis
! will be unable To be present all Of the
| time during the encampment and dur
| ing mis- absence the first vice president
| Edwin Hill. of Dover. will act as presi-
| ding officer The plan this year is to
| have affairs conducted in as systematic
/ a manner as possible.
Saturday evening a large crowd en-
| joyed the opening ball. The grand
march was led by Capt. and Mrs. Ross
| Of Boston
| People who are in the habit Of enjoying
! their slumbers till a late hour Sunday
! morning were awakened from their morn
ing maps by the roar of the sunrise can
non. Sunday was quiet day al the
and the heavy shower in the afternoon
| undoubtedly detained many at home.
j. W. Webster. the chaplain, conducted
services at . F. NJ in the pavilion Rev.
! Mr.. Swectland of Palmyra, preached the
| sermon,
Among the people seen here We're =. u.
| Flint. \. shepherd and Col Sawtclle of
! Dexter. George Bond, stephen Ranney,
Miss Hattie Penney. u. Henson Young.
Esq, Of Stetson \. X. Carr, ex-pres-
dent of the association, Hon. w. l. Bur
| rill and wife of Cornna.
/ The programme for today is the regular
camp routine dancing afternoon and even
ing: committee for the day. Charles Henry
| French. +. l.. Sprasue, p. l.. Bennett.
| The morning arrangements are of a social
nature. Band concert from 1890 to II A.
| NJ. In the afternoon at o'clock there
will be speaking in the pavilion by Col
A. S. Bangs of Augusta, Capt VIM. Ross
of Boston and other prominent G. A. K.
comrades. y fine musical programme has
been prepared.