Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-13
REUNION A SUCCESS
Attendance at Grand Army Bncampment
Breaks All Existing Records
SIX THOUSAND PEOPLE NOW IN CAMP
Tent Accommodations Have Been Provided
for Ten Thousand.
SOLDIERS OF TWO GENERATIONS MEET
Veterans of the Civil War F~ratsrniss with
Their Soldier Sons.
;oLplsHs OF TWO GENERATIONS MEET
FIRST REGIMENT WILL ARRIVE TO-DAY
Reception by Governor and stan TO
OMeers of the unite and the
National Guard E'oliowed by
n BANQUET.

LINCOLN, Sept. 12.-(Special Teiegram.)
All previous records OF attendance nave
been broken by this years Grand Army
r~eunlon. Veterans from the National En-
campment at Philadelphia began to arrive
this morning and all incoming ira. ms from
Nebraska points have brought large NUMBER
OF visitors. Assistant Adjutant General
Barser and Past Department Commander
Russell headed a large delegation from the
east that arrived on an early train. Head
quarters were opened in the camp this after
noon for veterans from New York and the
New England states. Barrack acccrnma da-
lions hare been provided for 1900 men ana
camp quarters for 10000. About three
quarters Of the tents are now occupied and
several hundred more will probably be
pitched tomorrow TO accommodate the first
regiment and other late arrivals. 1t is
estimated that there are now about 5000
people canped on the grounds.
Iutir the arrival OF Department Con-
mnnder Evans tonight the local c%itizen's
committee had charge of the grounds AMI
conducted the different meetings and camp
rres. Arrangements were made for turn
ing the camp over to the department yester-
dBy afternoon, but on aecount OF Mr.. Evans
inability t ODE here at that time a slight
change in the program was made necessary.
This morning a large audience gathered
in the assembly tent to listen TO cpeeche5
BY Qu~artermaster Elder and General Gage,
formerly assistant adjutant general Of the
department. Colonel L. G. Pace of the To-
col committee presided. The speeches de-
livered we're reminiscent in character.
Both spoke Of the duty the American SOL
~ -,, a~I Aa~nAtaIu
these Of the present day. The attendance
at this meeting was considerably larger
than any previous gathering in the tent.
This afternoon Chaplain Caldwell addressed
another large audience and several other
veterans responded to calls for short
speeches. The Lexington band has been
given an enthusiastic reception on the
grounds and 1t Was kept busy all day.
Additional Decorations.
A large force of men were employed ON
the grounds today decorating the buildings
and arranging for the large crowds that
are expected during the reception to ths
First regiment. The interior OF several OF
the large exposition buildings have been
decorated with flags and bunting and the
colors OF the First regiment. The most
deliberately decorated building is Mercantile
hall, where meals will be served to mem
berS OF the FlrSt regiment. Inc udlh anu
d!cgy walls Of This building have been com
pletely covered With Old Glory and long
streamers Of red, white and brue are sus-
pended from each corner of the ceiling and
draped around each post and projectile.
Near the entrance a life size portrait OF the
late Colonel Stotsenburg lis displayed against
a massive background CT flags and bunting.
Altogether the Interior Of the building pre-
SCENTS q most imposing and attractive ap-
pearance.
Everybody on the camp grounds is anx-
iously looking forward to the arrival of the
boys OF the First regiment. A few convas-
CARRIED soldiers who fought with this regi-
ment came struggling in today and were
at once given comfortable quarters on the
grounds. The reception exercises do not
begin until tomorrow Those who nave
arrived say that all members Of the regi-
ment intend to come to the reception.
Extensive preparations are being made by
the strest car company for the t~ransporta-
ton of Immense orowda TO and from the re-
union grounds for the balance OF the week.
A three-minbte service was maintained to-
day and this afternoon the street car peo-
pie found 1t dficult TO handle all OF tho
visitors, Tomorrow more cars Will be put
on.
In Lincoln the supply OF bunting flags
has nearly been exhausted. All day mer-
chants have kept their clerks busy prepar-
ing for the reception, decorating both the
interior and exterior OF their stores. Sew
eral OF the arches yet remain to be dec
GRATED. This afternoon work was almost
entirely suspended by employees In the dit
fenent city, county and state public build
ings and the time was put In arranging
artistic displays OF the national coiors.
Reception b. the Governor.
Tomorrow night the hrst exercises Incl
dent to the reception will be held in tho
form Of a reception by Governor Poynter
and staff, assisted by state officers and their
wives. TO orncers OF the regiment. ollowed
by a banquet at the Lindell. The reception
Will be In the executive mansion from z to
9 O'Clock and be not only for officers OF the
First regiment. but officers OF all of tho
volunteer regiments and the Nebraska Ma
tional Guard. The banquet will be rendered
the officers OF the First by the officers OF
the Second and Third and Second regiment
of the National Guard.
The banquet will be strictly military in
every respect. Colonel w. l., Stark Of the
governors staff will act as POSTMASTER, and
after the invocation by Chaplain Jennings
toasts will be responded TO as follows:
Nebraska IN Peace and War" Governor
Poynter; THE National Guard" AdjutarN
General Barry; Cuba Libre." W, J. Bryan
1.-THE Volunteer Soldier" Colonel Victor
Vitquain; THE Grand Army OF the Repub-
lic." Colonel J. II. McClay; THE First Ne
braska." by its commanding officer; The
Chicken Toast" Chaplain Mailley; "Chicka-
maugua Park. Land and Improvement Com
pany." Captain G. Hartigan.
A reviewing stand has been constructed
at Fourteenth and NJ streets and from Ibis
the military parade Thursday will be viewed
by Governor Poynter and statf and Assist
ant Secretary OF War Meiklejohn. who Is
expected TO arrive tomorrow. The hne oil
march terminates at the north wing OF the
capitol building. where the colors OF the
First regiment will be formally delivered
10 Governor Poynter as oommander-in-chiei
OF the military forces, by Lieutenant Col
ouel Eager,
Tomorrow will be governors Gay et the
Nebraska National Guaro euoarnpmens
Trnaa II ~ gauard mill - as an .anort