The National tribune., 1897-03-25
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
ALABAMA

The ninth annual Encampment of the De.
partment of Alabama was held at Cullman,
| March 10. Due preparations had been made
! by John T. Reynolds Post, 9. and Sons of Vet
Grams. Judge VIM. II. Black. of Montgomery,
was unanimously elected Department Com
mander. Comrade Black was a gallant soldier,
and is an earnest worker in the maintaining
and up-building of the Order. He was escorted
to the chair, where he delivered 8 stirring
speech.
The Encampment then adjourned to meet
COMMANDMENTS Chief Clarkson and Junior Vice
Commander Buckley. An all-around soldier
reception was held at Headquarters. Gems.
Clarkson and Buckley were escorted by the
delegates TO the Grand Opera House. where
they were met by Commander Black. Past
Department Commander J. Clyde Miller deliv-
cred short address. Mayor Parker followed
IN a warm address of welcome to the comrades.
Commander-in-ChiefC larkson delivered stir
ring address to the citizens and comrades, who
crowded the house. which will be long remem.
bered. Junior Vice Commander Buckley came
forward, and in his usual sledge- hammer style
drove home the true principles of the Order.
Past Department Commander w. II. Hunter
spoke for a few minutes in his terse and mimi
table style. Col. M. ID. Friedman, of the Alabama
and Tennessee Divisions of the Sons of Veter-
ans, closed the Campfire in q beautiful and ap-
propriate manner.
A public reception followed the gray and
the blue vieing with each other i'm shaking the
hands of both Clarkson and Buckley. When
this ended the stage curtain rolled up, wards re-
vealing banquet that had been spread for the
veterans. Commander Black, in a few pleasing
remarks, closed the ninth annual Encampment
at Cullman to meet at Decatur in 1893 Tho
next train southwark had on board both Gen.
erals, with their large escort, for Birmingham.
public reception was held in Parlors A and
n nft ha It, l., 81 1,~~e al
train, accompanied by President n. Baxter, of
the Tennessee Coal, Iron & r. r. Co., visited
the large furnaces at Ensley City. In the even
ing reception was held at Comrade F. g. Shop
pard's palatal residence on the North High
lands.
MASSACHUSETTS,
The 30th anniversary and banquet Of Post
z, of Boston, took place at the United States
Hotel in Boston the other evening. and was
very interesting occasion. Commander j. B.
Cherry presided ip an able manner, and Capt.
Meehan was POSTMASTER About $50 members
and guests were present. Among the after
dinner speakers were Department Commander
Deane, Senior Vice Department Commander
Gilman. Past Department Commander ID. s.
Ray of Rhode Island, Capt. Jack Crawford,
and others.
MINNESOTA
The 18th annual Encampment of the Depart
ment OF Minnesota, held at ST. Paul, was sue
cess in every way. Mayor Doran welcomed
the veterans to the city. Comrade N. A. Gear
hart responded on behalf of the GAR. Com.
mander.i in Chief Clarkson was present
Department Commander McCurdy, in his re-
port, dwelt upon the work of the Department
for the past year and congratulated the COM
rades upon the success of the Encampment last
Summer. He also recommended the passage of
a resolution petitioning the Legislature for
rooms in the new State Capitol, to be set aside
as permanent Headquarters of the Minnesota
Department
The report of Assistant Adjutant- General J.
K. Mertz showed gain by muster during the
year, 664 by transfer. 208; by reinstatement,
425; by delinquent reports Sc; total gain dur
ing the year, 1883. Loss dnring the year: By
death, 13S; by honorable discharge, %; by