The evening times., 1899-09-04
VETERANS TO ORGANIZE
Soldiers of the War With Spain
Will Meet in Convention.
A National Association Similar to
the G. A.. n. VIII BE Formed--The
Movement Started Here During
the Peace Jubilee-BOard of Trade
Committee to Receive Delegates.

Volunteer soldiers all over the country
who served in various capacities in the
Army and Navy of the United States dur
ing the war with Spain are looking for
ward to the reunion to be held here Sep
tember and for the purpose Of form
Ing a permanent national organization of
Spanish war veterans. The new union will
be styled the Spanish American War Vet
erans' Association, and will resemble in
many respects the Grand Army OF the Re-
public, which was formed in similar
manner by veterans of the Civil War after
its close. Plans for the approaching re-
union are about completed, but are not
yet in shape for publication.
Details of the scheme of organization
will be discussed at the reunion, and before
adjournment is taken 1t is expected that
the association will be permanently estab-
lished. Within few days the full ar
rangements for the reunion will be an
nounced at meeting of the local commit
tee to be held at the rooms of the Board
or Trade. This committee consists of Gen.
G. H. Harries, o. T. Crosby Gen. Ellis
Spear. James B. Lambie, and Daniel Fraser,
all OF whom are members of the Board OF
Trade. which selected them to prepare
for the reception of the veterans when they
ish war in Washington take special interest
in the endeavor to form a permanent Or
ganization, because the first movement of
that character was started here. About
ten days before the local Peace Jubilee
celebration Walter Mitchell. local news
paper man who served in the signal corps
in Cuba, wrote to General Hawley who
had charge of the military parade calling
his attention TO the fact that no place had
haan oh
General Hawley replied with a letter fav-
oring the issuance of a call to all the men
in Washington who served in the war to
attend a meeting to arrange for their
representation in the procession. The
proposition met with favor and about 200
men. who had served as Rough Riders.
Regulars. volunteers from the District and
several States, cavalrymen, artillerymen.
signal service men. and members OF the
engineer and hospital corps, were in the
parade.
After the Peace Jubilee the local vet
Grams formed the Nelson A Miles Camp,
No. l, of Spanish War Veterans. the pioneer
camp in the country. Capt. Percy w.
Moss was the presiding officer. Some
months afterward an organization known
as the Mckinley Sharpshooters grew out
of the camp. Among the officers Of the
Sharpshooters were Captain Moss and Lieu
tenants Dickinson and Loomis, who ex-
pected to receive commissions and take the
organization to the Philippines intact. The
| officers failed in this purpose, but almost
all the Sharpshooters enlisted in the Twen-
ty-seventh and Twenty eighth Infantry for
service against the Filipinos. Lieutenant
Dickinson went as a sergeant of one Of
| the companies of the latter regiment.
| A temporary organization of the national
body has already been effected. Gen. Will
! lam c. Liner, of Lancaster, Pa. who is
adjutant general and one OF the most en-
ergetic workers in the new movement, is
| expected TO arrive in Washington some time
today or tomorrow. The other officers OF
the temporary organization are Commander
| Cen John P. S. Goblin. Of Lancaster;
Junior Vice Commander George NJ. Stude-
! baker, of South Bend, Ind; Inspector Gen.
! eral Russell B. Harrison, Santiago, Cuba;
| Medical Director Gen. Edward c. Davis.
| Atlanta Ga: Quartermaster General Will
! lam E. English, of Indianapolis. Delegates
| from about 200 local camps are expected
to attend, and the reunion may bring about
! 5000 visitors to the city. number OF
prominent men will be present. including
! the Governors Of several States.