The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-12
LOYAL LEGION SENDS GREETING
TO ITS ABSENT PAST COM
MANDER.
ALSO ToAsTs CAPT. CASTLE
ON HIS PROSPECTIVE DEPARTURE
FOR THE CAPITAL OF THE
NATION.
CAPT. DUDLEY READS A PAPER
On the "Home Guard" Replete With
Interesting Incidents Of the
Days OF 1851.

DAYS Oh 1SO1s
The Loyal Legion, Minnesota COM
mandery held its last regular meeting
of the season at the Ryan last night.
At the usual business session preceding
the banquet, the committee on the
nomination Of officers Of the command
cry for the ensuing year submitted the
nominations and the nominees, list
of whom is published herewith. were
all formally elected.
AS usual, the supper was served IN
the ordinary When the proper time ar
rived. Past Senior Vice Commander
Hicks arose and proposed that the
menbefs Of the Commentary rise and
drink to the health of their absent past
commander, Brig. Gen. John K. BROOKE.
The companions responded to the pro-
position with ready good will, one
companion adding zest to the toast
with the exclamation, May he get
there"
I'VE all heartily indorse that senti-
ment," replied Past Senior Vice Com
mander Hicks. II feel certain that eV-
cry companion here wishes his pronio-
ton. We all regret his absence to-
night, and that reminds me VI another
companion with whom we are SODA TO
part, our recorder and past commander,
Can't. Henry A. Castle, who is also
about to depart for another Held OF
labor. Let us drink to Capt Castle.
This suggestion meeting with an
equally prompt and cordial response,
Capt. Castle expressed his appreciation
of the same in few words, IN the
course of which he remarked hat the
event alluded to was hardly worth no.
tice. But" added Capt. Castle, I
appreciate the compliment to myself
personally, and I assure you Il at
wherever I may be, I will always re-
main a member of the Minnesota COM
mandery."
Past Senior Vice Commander Hicks
then presented the newly elected com
mander, Grevet Brig Gen. Robert N.
Adams. of Minneapolis. After the ap-
plause had ceased Commander Adams
said:
ct thank you heartily for your kind
ness. In accepting this symbal OF honor
at our hands, l do so with mingled
feelings of pleasure and regret Regret
that this commandery is to part with
such worthy companions as Gen. Brooke
and Capt. Castle; regret that We shall
no longer enjoy the inspiration of their
genial faces at our future meetings.
Believe me, companions, I appreciate
this honor, for it is indeed an honor.
l can say tonight that I esteem it a
greater honor to be commander of
such a body of men, than to be an
earthly crowned king. (Applause). I
trust that this glorious fraternity may
yield to one and all the substance and
the fragrance Of a lasting pleasure.
Commander Adams then introduced
Capt. E. S. Dudley, U. S. A., who read
the paper Of the evening the subject
of which was the Home Guard Bat
terry"
Capt. Dudley described, in a renli-
niscent style, events manifesting oppo-
sition to the war in and about the towns
and cities of Eastern New York in 1863,
especially at the time of the big draft
President Lincoln and Sympathizers
with the South were doing all in their
power to spread abroad the impression
that the war was failure. Union
soldiers, who returned home wounded,
were scoffed at and abused for fighting
"for abolition and old Abe Lincoln"
Capt. Dudley related an anecdote Of
a llpp1Cu VIII, WuGll lOlu ny
fellowtownsman in sympathy with
the South, that he ought to have lost
his - head for going to that aboli-
ton war, promptly knocked the man
down with his cr1tch. Capt Dudley
declared that Gov Horatio Seymour,
of New York state, exerted his official
influence to retard the draft and vetoed
the bill to allow soldiers In the field 10
vote.
Capt. Dudley described his exciting
experiences in Schenectady, N. Y, at
the time of the draft riots when the
mob threatened to descend upon the
headquarters of the provost marshal
and seize the enrolment papers. An
outbreak was expected at any moment,
for Schenectady was the center of the
opposition to the war in that portion
OF the state. Capt. Dudley declared
that he firmly believed that there was
a conspiracy organized against the
government and in behalf of the re-
bellion.
In conclusion Capt Dudley paid an
earnest tribute to the noble women
of the war, who formed organizations
that they might better minister to the
wants and the comfort of the Soldier
boys" These women suffered and
worked at home They formed the real
home guard.
On motion Of Companion B. F.
Wright, the commandery rendered
Capt. Dudley a vote of thanks for this
interesting paper
Judge L. W. Collins related an Incl
dent that occurred in Minnesota dur,
ing the late war, which Illustrated
the existence here of the same opposi-
ton to the war. Three soldiers who
had secured permission to go home
to Owatonna to vote. became involved
in quarrel with some civilians at u
tavern in Rosemount. The next day
one of the soldiers was murdered in
Dakota county by two Of the men,
Both murderers were indicted. but the
jury that tried one of them acquitted
him. The other was tried some time
afterWard, found guilty and sent to
the state prison for life Subsequently
the widow Of the murdered man sued
the acquitted murderer, who was well
Off, for $4,000 for causing the death of
her husband. On the strength of the
testimony of the murderer undergoing
life sentence, the widow recovered
and collected verdict Of $4,000. Soon
afterward all the members Of the Jury
that acquitted the murderer, were
driven out Of Dakota county. save two
Of them who had died in the mean
time
Commander Adams then called upon
the "old war governor Of Minnesota.
Hon. Alexander Ramsey" for a few
words. Gov. Ramsey spoke briefly and
humorously. After brief address by
Col. Reed. Of the Illinois Commandery
of Chicago, the commandery adjourned
not to meet again until next october.
AT the business session, the COM
mandery elected Charles Edgar Black
well member Of the first class.
Following is list Of the newly elect
ed officers:
Communicative. Brig. Gen. Robert N.
Adams, Minneapolis, Colonel S1st Ohio infan-
try.
Senior Vice Commander.Bvt. Maj. Gen.