Evening star., 1898-10-13
CAMP FIRE
John A. Rawlins Post, G. A. T., in
Social Session.
RECEPTION RENDERED MAJOR URELL
Speeches and Music Succeeded by
COLLATION..
L HI E G U B A N CA M P

The thirty-second anniversary Of John
A Rawlns Post, No. 1, G. A. R., Depart
ment of the Potomac. was celebrated last
evening in National Rifles armory, with
double number" program-a camp fire and
reception to Major NJ. Emmett Urell
lst Battalion 1st District of Columbia
Volunteer Infantry. The large hall was
well filled with members of the G. A r.
every post in the Department of the Po-
tomac being represented. There were also
present large number of soldiers who
were at the front in the war between the
United States and Spain.
Among those on the PLATFORM besides the
guest of the evening, Major Urell, were
Corporal James Tanner, former Governor
Fletcher of Missouri DIR. Powell of Fort
Myer, MIR. Henry A. Castle, auditor for the
Post Office Department; Lieut.. Leroy w.
Heron. Company G, 1st District of Colum-
bia Regiment; Captain Kane, Drs. Pyles,
Weaver and Cox, and Lieutenant Ferree of
the 1st District of Columbia Regiment D.
l. Murphy, former commissioner of pen
sions; Department Commander Hendricks
and staff of the G. A. r., and the commit
tee in charge-Comrades A S. Faber Hiram
buckingham, ]. A. Allen, r. F. de Grain,
S. w. Tuley, r. B. Schwickardi, Thomas
Flynn, Thomas Finn, Charles Noske, c. c.
Boyd, J. S. Mccoy, Chris Kinner, s. ].
Block Newton Ferree and James Lawlor.
PREVIOUS TO the opening OF lne exercises
Donch's band, which furnished the music
for the evening, gave medley, which
comprised Hail Columbia" Dixie Star
Spangled Banner Yankee Doodle" and
other airs.
Past Commander Blocks Welcome
After calling the meeting to order Past
Commander Plock of Post No. 1, addressing
those present, said:
You were invited to meet-With John A.
-;xN 80
this, the thirty anniversary of t4le
crganizat ton of this post, which is the old
est post. in consecutive years of existence,
in the world On behalf of John A. Raw
Inns Post bid you soldiers welcome.
There is another occasion for rejoicing,
which we propose to combine with the cele
bration of our natal day, in which l know
you will all gladly join. We have with us
a comrade whom we delight to honor, and
who has the distinction of being the only
comrade OF the Department of the Potomac
who, as veteran of the war of the rebel
lion, responded to his country's call to de-
fend the honor of old glory in the Spanish
American war. His position in the regi
ment the District Of Columbia Volunteers.
was unique in that he was the only veter-
an of the rebellion in the regiment al
sons of Comrades Shepherd, Ferree, Morti-
mer, O'Neal Orange and others, all of
whom did their duty nobly."
In concluding his remarks. Mr.. Block in
"A. ..
Tabor, the latter chairman of the COM
mittee of arrangements, who presided dur
Ing the remainder of the evening.
Corporal Tanners Remarks.
Corporal Tanner, who was then intro
duced, said, in part. that it gave him great
pleasure ito join in the welcome to Major
Urell, veteran of two wars, and to be
able to testify that we row have reunited
America 1t was grand thought he said,
to know that dark Were the days be-
tween 1861 and 1885 the time has come
when the star spangled banner waves
grandiy from one end of the United States
TO the other. Mr. Tanner paid an eloquent
tribute to the worth of Major Urell as a
soldier and citizen, as also to the younger
men present who had promptly responded
to the call to arms. In such times he said
the people of this country know no politics,
ton stand together.
Referring to the reported demand by
SPAN Tor S6oO,Wo,oOO for damages done by !
the American armies in Cuba and else
where, he said if Spain has not had enough
the soldiers of today will give her enough
and that every time the Americans go to
battle they will come back with added
glory
At the conclusion of Corporal Tanner.
remarks the band played America
Ovation to Maj. Uren.
When Major Urell who was the next
given an ovation, and it was some time
before he could proceed with his remarks
The patriotism of America" he said. |
can be depended upon for any conflict |
either at home or abroad. Although 1 had
taken part in the civil war, when the time
again came to serve my country few
months ago | felt as young as when I en-
listed in 1861. There was no better regi-
ment in the war with Spain than the 1st
District of Columbia, 1 care not where 1t
came from. l bar none, regular or volun-
teer black or white He severely scored
officers who neglected their men, and said
that no officer who was Indifferent to the
welfare of those under his charge was fit
to command men.
Major Urell called the attention of the
old soldiers to the fact that their sufferings
during the civil war were great and as
sured them that most of the stories Of suf-
terlng during the Spanish war which have
been printed were greatly exaggerated
There were privations, he said but there
were no complaints Of any shortcomings
while the enemy was in front. The day of
the surrender OF Santiago. July IA, the 1st
District Of Columbia Regiment was the
nearest to the enemy, and had the men
been given the opportunity they would
have captured at least one Spanish flag, for
upon 1t.
Major Urell related number of incidents
connected with the Cuban campaign, which
was for while, he said, very severe and
continuing, remarked:
Matter of Supplies.
There was never in the world an army
that better supplied than was our
army in Cuba .-.
He denounced as untrue the reports that
the officers Jared better than the men, and
said there were times when the officers
had less to eat than had the private SOL
diers.
Major Urell paid a high compliment to
the colored soldiers who fought in Cuba
and said there were greater troops in
the world
"Our army fought the battle of Santiago"
he said, las the battle of Gettysburg was
fought, regardless of tactics. Show the
American soldier the enemy" he added
land he will go forward. Put % 900 Amer
lean soldiers San Juan heights and 1
will venture the assertion that they will
drive back 100000 Spaniards. The Ameri-
can soldier fires and goes forward; the
Sraniartf fires and falls back"