The times., 1899-08-17
SPANISH War VETERANS
A National Body TO Be Organized
Here in September.
Two Hundred Camps Expected to Be
q. &. II. to Be Their Pattern-The
Temporary Association Now Head
ed by Gen. j. Warren Keifer.

ed by Gen. j. Warren Keifer.
Extensive preparations are being made
among the various organizations which
have been formed throughout the United
States composed of the veterans of tbs
Spanish American war for grand reunion
to be held in this city September and 3,
when permanent national organization is
to be effected and the association of the vet
Grams started on firm footing.
A. temporary organization was effected
! last fall when Gen. Joseph Wheeler be-
came interested in the matter. An execu-
tive committee was formed for what will
be known as the Spanish-American War
! Veterans Association, and active prepara
tions were commenced for the meeting,
which il was first intended, was TO be
held in this city September IL TO 10, in
elusive, but subsequently the date of the
reunion was changed, and September and
9 agreed upon.
Soon after the close of the Spanish
American war, when the troops had been
mustered out and sent TO their homes, the
project of forming national association OF
the veterans after the style of the Grand
Army of the Republic was first broached.
In almost every one of the cities that had
| sent company, a battalion. or regiment
into the field, an association had already
been formed of the veterans, and they
waited only for some leading spirit to effect
i the organization OF the national body. One
of the first of these camps TO be organized
was in this city, where the Nelson A. Miles
| Camp No. 1, was Incorporated. The or
ganization of this camp was quickly fol-
| lowed by others, and soon almost all of the
men who enlisted during the war in their
country's service were banded together for
| the purpose of maintaining fraternal and
beneficial organization.
There were no rules regarding the forma-
! tion of these associations, but they were
mostly all formed on the lines laid down in
/ the manual of the G. A. r.
1t soon became evident that for the per-
feet success of the movement a national
organization would have to be effected.
and a number of former soldiers set about
working toward this end. The most ener
getic of these was William Christopher
Liller, formerly a member of the Fifth
Army Corps, who served with his corps
throughout the entire Cuban campaign.
Mr.. Liller lives in Lancaster, Pa, and was
among the first to start the movement for
the purpose of bringing the veterans Of
1.-The war with Spain into closer rela-
tionship. He wrote to General Wheeler
and number of other prominent veterans
of the war early in the winter. and asked
! them to assist him in his efforts to bring
! about the formation Of a national body.
! Almost every one OF the men addressed
entered heartily into the scheme. and soon
a temporary organization was formed with
General Wheeler at its head. General
Wheeler was compelled to resign his po-
sition as commander soon afterward, and
Gen. ]. Warren Keifer was designated to
| take his place until the national order was
formed.
The other officers of the temporary asso-
citation, who also constitute the executive
committee. are: Senior Vice Commander.
John p S. Goblin, Lebanon, Pa. Junior
Vice Commander. George NJ. Studebaker,
South Bend, Ind; Inspector General Rus
sell B. Harrison Santiago de Cuba; Med
ical Director General, Edward G. Davis,
Atlanta, Ga; Quartermaster General
William f. English, Indianapolis, Ind. +;
Adjutant General, William Christopher
LilIer, Lancaster, Pa.
AS soon as these officers had been Sc
lected active preparations were begun for
the encampment, which is to take place in
this city next month. Committees were ap-
pointed to arrange for the nesting and a
reception committee composed of Gen.
George H. Harries, o.. T. Crosby, Gen Ellis
Spear James B. Lambie, and Daniel
Fraser, all members of the Board of Trade
of this city, was formed 10 look out for
the business of receiving the veterans when
they come
A meeting of this committee will be held
In the rooms of the Board of Trade early
next week, when the plan OF action will be
mapped out. Adjutant General Lilier came
to Washington several days ago from his
home in Lancaster, Pa, and has been busy
completing arrangements for the quarterine
of the members of the organization wher
they arrive. Delegates will attend from
! talz1 nd oil Gtate
, in the Union will be represented.
Governors Gambler Of Georgia; Thomas
! of Colorado, and Fancher, of North Dakota
have signifed their intention of attending
the encampment If their business engage.
ments permit, and letters of commentators
have been receiyd from Governor Roosevelt
: Gen Harrison Gray Otis, Governor Pingree
Governor Wolcott of Massachusetts. and
| number OF others. all of them endorsing
: the project of the encampment and promis
2 ing hearty support 10 the movement. There
are said to be about 300 camps in the United
5 States 200 of which have signifed their in
[ tention Of becoming members of the ma
tional body. Mr. Liller said yesterday tina
he expected that the organization woult
r be formed on the order OF the Grand Army
National officers corresponding to those o
! the older organization will be elected ant
similar bylaws and regulations viii b.
adopted.
1t is expected that the encampment viii
bring about 5000 visitors TO the city. Ar
rangenents are about to be completed TO
, special excursion rates on the various rail
road lines running into the city and 1t i
, expected that special rates VIII also be OBJ
. tanned from the hotels. The committee
, that have been appointed to make arrange
ments for the eneampment are all work
ing TO their utmost capacity to make tn
affair a success, and 1t is confidently be
+ lieved that results will be fully up to thei
expectations.