The National tribune., 1897-12-09
THE GRIND ARMY.
What Veterans Are Doing for the
Good of the Order.

Commander A. H. Evans notes a re-
newed activity in many of the Posts of the
Iowa Department. This is very gratifying
10 the Department officers, and paTticu-
larly TO Commander Evans, who has work
ed faithfully in the interest of the Order.
1t is hoped that every honorably- discharg-
ed vereran within the State may be gath
cred into the ranks before Spring.
Commander f. b. Gray has appointed
Benz. +. Bryant, Post 38, La Crosse; Cal
vert Spenseley, Post 125 Mineral Point,
and George II. Chase, Post /, Milwaukee,
visiting committee TO the Wisconsin
Veterans Home at Waupaca.
The gratifying announcement is made
by Commander f. u. Gray that the cur
rent term promises substantial increase
in membership in the Wisconsin Depart
ment. This is the result of much hard
work on the part OF the Commander and
other Department officers. which has
aroused the rank and file Of the Order to
renewed activity. Deep interest is being
taken in the subject OF establishing Picket
Posts, and two Posts which were counted
as dead have been reinstated. Active re-
cruiting IS reported in many districts, and
26S Posts have made returns and paid dues
to July 1, 1897 Commander Gray thinks
that by persistent efforts during this month
Post officers can obliterate the suspended
list, and restore to good standing 1000
comrades To this end he recommends
that all dues OF suspended comrades in
excess OF one year be remitted.
There was happy reunion at the in
specton of Willard c. Kinsiey Post, 139,
SomerviIle, Mass, OF two old soldiers who
had not met since they parted on the bat
tlefield, over 81 years ago. The veterans
were Commander David l.. Jones, of Post
20, ROxbury, and Capt. Bennett, who had
recently returned to Somerville after an
absence OF several years in California and
Naw MpytCn The latter " hcfno mn
tered into the GAR. Commander Jones
was among the guests. He was member
of Co. L. 22d Mass, when Edwin c. Ben
nett was Captain. When they had last
seen each other Capt. Bennett was lying
wounded on the battlefield While the
Captain was being mustered Commander
Jones was struck by the resemblance to
his old commander, and on inquiry learned
his name. An informal reception was held
by the Post
Commander Jamec s. Dodge announces
that The 18th annual Encampment of the
Department Of Indiana viii be held at
Columbus, May 8 and 10, 1898.
j. \. Baker, Go. ], I45th H., Sloan
Springs, Ark, writes that Custer Post, 8,
Department OF Arkansas, has member
ship OF about 90, with Capt. Diettz as
Commander and John Durham as Adm
tant. The auxiliary W.R.C. is the equal
OF any in the State. Comrade Baker
thinks that every member of the Order
should work TO have every honorably-dis
charged veteran mustered. There is still
plenty of good material from which to re-
cruit, and in Sloan Springs a number still
remain outside OF the ranks.
II. T. K, Wichita, Kan: On a recent
afternoon the W.R.C. of Wichita held an
open meeting, to which the S. of " and
q. A. r. were cordially invited The
guests found a long table loaded with
ammunition" and every one was ordered
to take forty rounds" That evening was
the regular meeting time OF Garfield Post,
%, After the meeting the veterans ad-
iourned to the Commanders business
room, where another feast awaited them.
Capt. Shields, who wore the gray, was
present, and on being completely captured
made some very interesting statements.
SAID he was native of middle Georgia,
and enlisted in the Southern army be-
cause he believed it his duty to protect and
fight for his home. But he has been liv-
ing in the North now for about 16 years.
and could truly say that he was glad that
we licked him and il this country ever got
into any trouble with any other nation he
would be found in the front rank fighting
for Old Glory.