Smyrna times., 1898-03-02
"BESIDE THE CAMPFIRE. "
Oar Local Grand Army Men Tell Their Ex'
periences and Close With
Banquet.

OSr Local urano army Men leil lhelr Ike
periences and Close With
Banquet.
A very interesting Campfire" was
held in the Opera House last Wednes-
day evening under the auspices of
Gen. w. S. Hancock Post No. %, G.
A. K. The stage was tastefully decor
ated with the stars and stripes, large
flag extending across the whole front
and dropping in folds Just in front of
the speakers. The hall had more the
appearance of a banquet room than
anything else. Directly in front Of
the stage and including a greater por-
ton of the audience room were spread
tables, six in number, and laden
ed with good things for the guests as
well as the old soldiers. The term
Campfire" is only figurative express
sion for many an old soldier would
have thought he was treated like a
king to be seated down to such re-
past during their life of service. The
wives aud lady friends of the Grand
Army men had the feast in charge and
it was a most creditable affair.
At the left of the stage an orchestra
of six pieces, known as Stevenson's
Orchestra, furnished some excellent
music. This enlivened the occasion
very much, especially when some old
time ''war air" was struck up, OF some
tune that seemed to fire the heart with
patriotism.
The exercises were in charge of the
Rev. j. l.. Estlin. The meeting was
opened by an overture by the orches-
ira composed of Messrs. w. H. Steven
son, George Sylvester, Alfred Tilgh-
man, A. Lee Clifton, Allison Start and
Fred Lang. The overture was follow
ed by sweet quartette by Messrs. j
f. Hoffecker, l.. NJ. Price, w. O.
Hoffecker, and Fred Lang
Mr.. A. g. Cummins was called upon
as the first speaker and he spoke
touchingly upon the influence of the
Grand Army men as the highest edu-
Gators of American patriotism He
spoke of the organization of the Son S
of Veterans Camp and the principles
it involved in preserving the customs
of the Grand Army men. Such an
organization could be mighty factor
in this school of patriotism. In refer
ing to our trouble with Spain he spoke
earnestly and upheld the dignity of our
nation whenever its honor was at
stake.
Mr.. L. w. Counselman was intro
duced as the next speaker, as one who
had worn the gray" He was greeted
with applause but did not make a
| speech. DR.. Estlin then called on
Prof. G. H. LeFevre, who gave a good
| but disconnected speech. He praised
the Post for the excellent and inter
estlng entertainment they were afford
ing their guests and spoke of the high
| regard in which he held the soldier
! His wish, however, was to hear some
of the old soldiers present relate their
experiences and to this he gave way.
The orchestra gave another selection
and then Dr. Estlin called upon the
visiting comrades. Mr. Isaac r. Staats
Commander of Post No. IA, Odessa,
Del, was called on first and gave few
thoughtful remarks, in expression Of
his great interest in the Grand Army
organizations. He was followed by
COmrade Rumages of the same post
He directed his remarks mostly to tht
Sons of Veterns organization and was
anxious to see a movement tOwarC
making a strong order 1t could b'
made one of the most powerful in this
country if every son would take an in
terest. And not only as a social order
but could be made one of beneficial
character. He showed much earnest
ness in his remarks.
William Keiser, who was a Lieuten
ant of Cavalry Co during
the war of the Rebellion, was the mex
cOmrade to speak. Impressed by thu
melody sung by the quartette, he salt
it took him back thirty five years anC
he told an interesting and exciting an
ecdOte of his first experience in captur
ing prisoner. He had been in thirty
seven active engagements, but his ex
perience during that period at Perry
vile, Kentucky, came nearer ending
his life than all the engagements h
was in. He thought several times h'
was shot aud to this day feels that hi
escape was prOvidential.
w. NJ. Broadway, Color Sergeant II
the 1st Delaware Regiment was callet
upon to deliver his "Gray Horse Ex
perience" He had related this epi
sode so often that it was becoming
joke and only referred to it by saylni
''he ran for two things-One to say
his life and the other to save oil
Glory" Mr.. Broadway gave graph
ic description of his homeward marc
and the suffering and privatiOns eause'
by the lack of rations. His own ex
perience in shooting game was laugh
able. One of the most touching part
of his talk was an incident In the cit
of Richmond while on a homewar
march where a woman so fired hi
heart to patriotism by paying trlbut
to the American flag.
Comrade Thomas Tucker OF the hrs
Delaware Regiment followed MI
Broadway and kept the audience l.
laughter most of the time by his orgl
nal wav of relating his war experlen
ces. He evidently had a hard life
it. at least he depicted the soldiers Inf
as very black. He took up every stel
from the time he enlisted until he re
cieved an honorable discharge, how h
grew "scarder and scarder and scaI
der" until he lost this feeling in tn
excitement of the occasion. His yarl
chow he slid on his abdomen" wa
laughable in the extreme. He spok
, of Cuba. He did not care to go there
but if the Spaniards came to the Unite
States he wanted them to mar
"Tommy Tucker" the first on the list
He wanted to help knock ''the spots o
the Spaniards," and hoped to graciou
7 that some one would blow the Vizcay
! TO smithereens. He was called t
order for lack of time and remarke
: that .'he was tired of talking an
wanted to stop anyway"
Geo. w. Tilghman, Commander
; the Post, followed with few remark
! and contradicted some impression
! that Mr.. Tucker might have made tha
the soldiers life was so black. lie sal
there we're many christians among tn
ranks and they exerted an infuenc
for good. He related several instance
of these Christians in their dyln
hours. Mr.. Tilghman explained tn
meaning of the Campfire" aud CON
, pared the present occasion with tn
! campfire in real soldier life.
After the collection had been taker
Rev. L. w. Layfeld' gave few touch
ing remarks on his boyhood recollet
ton of the soldiers. He lived in tn
south and his experiences were wen
mostly with the confederate soldier
The comrades and guests were the
invited to sit down and feast. IhI
wasa very interesting occasion. Will
all were seated at the tables. rt
marks were made by Mr.. John ID
Hoffecker.
1t is easy to catch cold and just as easy
get rid of it if you commence early 70 u