New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-08
GRAND ARMY BUGLE NOTES.
RESULT OF THE MEETING OF THE Me-
MORTAL COMMITTEE.

MORTAL COMMITTEE
GENERAL HORACE PORTER CHOSEN CHAIRMAN
THE REMARKS OF GENERAL AMEs AT THE
LOYAL LEGION DINNER.
The veterans Of New-York City had two excit-
ing evenings last week The first was at the annual
election OF the Memorial Committee. held on Wednes-
day evening in the Goth Regiment Armory About 10
members were present-a full attendance OF the
elected delegates. Two tickets in the field
one headed by General Horace Porter and the
other by Civil Justice Joseph II. Siner. The
comrades who supported General Porter proposed
TO take the Memorial Committee out of politics.
They think that there has been too much ina
chine work going on in the Grand Army. and
they called General Porter. who they knew,
opposed TO political deals in veteran organiza-
tons, 10 lead the assault upon those who have been
entrenched for some years in the committee Offices
The victory was not quite complete the
capture Of Fort Fisher thirty-two years ago. but
81 on the whole. satisfactory. General Porter
elected chairman. and General Nicholas W.
Day. OF John A. Dix Post No. l3S. treasurer.
They each received JOG 60 each for their
opponents. The rest OF the ticket was elected by
the opposition. The vote for secretary stood: For
Past Department Commander F. J. Atkinson or
II. B. Clafin Post No. S7S 81: for Past De-
partment Commander James S. Fraser. OF
James c, Price Post No. %, S. This majority of
Elk was the average gained by that part of the
anti-Porter ticket elected. with the exception of
the Office of grand marshal, to which place Cen
HIa over GnBa GOSH The
ticket elected was as follows Chairman, Genera
GoadSn second aR EGTaaq GSs
Department Commander Edward J. Atkinson;
corresponding secretary, Charles r. Forrest grand
aaTms e. Bary Although e the OPPOSITION
elected all save two Of the officers these two are
General Porter will have the appointment Of the
standing committees for 1891 and he VIII be likely
OF reform.
The other exciting episode took place at the Feb
ruary dinner of tho Loyal Legion on Wednesday
evening at Delmoncos. More than 800 companions
were present and probably there was never held a
more representative gathering Of the commandery.
General Horace Porter tho commander. presided,
and after the dinner General A. A Ames, now a
citizen OF Massachusetts, who the guest Of the
con,nandery, read carefully prepared paper on
the taking OF Fort Fisher. During the Reconstruc-
ton period General Ames was Governor and United
States Senator In the State Of Mississippi. Maps
had been placed upon the wall Of Demonico's din
ing hall showing that part OF the Atlantic coast
and of North Carolina adjacent the fort, with
representations Of the structure and its surround
ings giving idea Of the difficulties which had 10
be overcome by the land and naval forces of the
United States. General Ames dealt with both the
first expedition. December a. 1864. which was COM
manded on the part OF the Army by his father-in-
law, General Benjamin +. Butler, which
successful and the second expedition. commanded
by General Alfred II. Terry, three weeks later.
which victorious Admiral Porter commanded
the United States naval forces of both expeditions.
General Amess paper, purporting to delineate what
occurred on those eventful days attempted a re-
adjustment OF tho laurels achieved in these battles.
He made it appear that the Navy had received q
great deal credit than 1t deserved. and that
General Butler had been unjustly blamed for the
afiro ~ prot Anne Said
that General Terry in the second fight had turned |
over him tho entire command and direction Of
the land forces, and that every assault and move
ment which took place from ESQ p. on January 49,
1866 until the fort captured. six hours later. had
been under his (Amess) orders. thus stripping Gen
eral Terry Of much Of the glory which had been
corded 10 him until the day OF his death. half a
dozen years ago.
General Ames also proceeded 10 minimize the
vices of General Newton NJ. Curtis. now the member
OF Congress from the ST. Lawrence district of this
State. General Curtis in both expeditions,
each time commanding the first brigade OF Ames's
division and has for years borne the title OF
1.-The Hsro OF Fort Fisher
General Ames quoted from his own and many
other military reports TO show that General Curtis
had been wounded CHS right eye shot out by shell
from the forO ut 4:SO p m. on January 10. one hour
after the battle began. and that General Curtis
could therefore have had little part in the terrible
fighting which took place before the fort capitulaed
General Curtis. who is man Of gigantic build. was
present. and occupied seat almost in the centre OF
tho hail. and facing the speaker. He doomed up as
he sat head and shoulders above the companions
him There also M 0 a1my hd b
Navy. who had taken pa. in the battle. General RAJ
So Sr i' and there are few more popular
companions. From the frs; the greatest interest
Ames's new-fOund material. put when the General
and even assaed General Badeau's narrative Of the
fight in his Life of Grant" which gave great
and called for three cheers for Genera! Curtis"
members wanted General Curtis to get up at once
nd ' i When
Ames had finished there was d tremendous call for
"Curtis!" coming from every part OF the house.
And when the General arose TO his fun height OF
witnessed at a meeting of veterans of the war. He
made impassiOned address. in which ne called
but added: This is not the time though it is the
al some future meeting OF this commandery
allowed the privilege and ! think will be able
Ames's perversons of history" The General then
General Ames's attempt TO appropriate the laurels
by general TeTT 1c Pointing Us h asD1n
capture OF Fort Fisher no effort had been made
GENE Hii hme ' the G BY Tey to the
day OF his death But now. he added. at this
anS gay craven heartE General Curtis got no
further. He was the favorlte In the trouble but
p gainst tho of supplementary epithets. and
the outcry Of disapproyal was stronger even than
that which followed General Ames's remarks re-
gardng General Curtis. The latter was quick TO
realize that he had gone little too far, and
promptly apOlogized 10 the commandery fo4 the
Ian guage which he had used in his Indignant pro-
test When order restored General Wager
Swayne. the past commando of the order pro-
posed that further discussion for the evening come
10 an END. and that General Curtis be invited 70
future meeting TO read paper giving his recolec-
lions OF battle. with such data relating TO it as
he may possess.
The installation Of the officers OF Horace h.
Clanin Post No 5B took place OF Friday evening
January g. at headquarters, -hundred'and
twenty-fourth-st and Third-ave. There
large attendance of comrades and guests present
ios shrner