The National tribune., 1899-07-20
NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT.
Philadelphia Preparing to Entertain the
Veterans and Their Friends.

management of Gen. Louis Wagner ana
Col. K. B. Beath, are working hard to make
in Philadelphia the first week in September,
the greatest in the history of the organlZa-
ton. Many unique features are under
contemplation, and when the veterans
gather they will be both surprised and
gratified at the reception awaiting them.
The Committee and the people generally
are saying that nothing shall be too good
for the soldiers when they arrive, and
PhiladelphianS always keep their promises
when the question of hospitality to the
Nations fighting men is the one under
consideration. 1t will be great pity if a
single veteran. in any part of the country,
shall be unable to attend, and those who
are financially embarrassed should be
helped by their friends, so that they may
meet their old comrades in arms and enjoy
the delights which are being prepared for
them by the people of Philadelphia.
PARAMOUNT PARK.
The most interesting event, in cOnnec-
ton with the National Encampment, was
the raising of the flag over the site for the
great camp, in Paramount Park, on the
Fourth of July. Many veterans, with
their friends, gathered on the spot, and at
twilight the beautiful Stars and Stripes
went to the top of the pole amid shouts
and cheers from the throatS of fully 10000
people. The Sons of Veterans battalion
and Battery ID did the honors on this occa-
sion and Col Henry Douglas Hughes
delivered the Grafton.
The camp site is beautifully located, and
tents will be pitched to accommodate fully
10000 men. 1t will be the finest camp
ever located at n veterans Reunion and
will prove decided feature of what is sure
to be a memorable occasion in the history
of the Grand Army.
THOSE WHO WILL ATTEND.
All Philadelphia is sorry that Mrs Grant
will not be able to attend. Mrs. Grant is
spending the Summer in Saratoga and will
not go South until October.
Mrs. John A. Logan. widow of the fam
Gus Western soldier. will doubtless attend.
The following is from the widow of the
late Commauder-in-Chief, who passed
away while in Office:
CHICAGO, July 3, 1899.
| Col. r. B. BEATH.
MY DEAR SIR: Your kind letter and
beautiful souvenir invitation to the 33d
National Encampment reached me. Please
accept my sincere thanks for your kind
remembrance of me. | can not tell you how
deeply touched am that my dear husband,
although absent in the body" is not for
gotten, and how highly | appreciate your
honorng his memory by naming the camp
| for the accommodation of the veterans
after him. 1t was always his greatest
pleasure in life to meet with his com
rades of the Grand Army at their annual
impossible to have an Encampment with
out him. 1t is comforting thought
| however, to know he will be missed by
those he loved so well. Hoping you may
have happy. enjoyable Reunion, | am
very sincerely yours. Mrs. James A. Sax
ton, Sol La Sale Ave.
Among the other prominent persons
who have promised to attend the Encamp-
ment are Gen. G. NJ. Dodge. of New York;
Col. r. Bruce Ricketts,, of Ricketts's Battery
fame; Col. Horatio c. King, of Brooklyn;
Capt. G. E. Clark, late commander of the
Battleship Oregon, and Gen. Wesley Mer-
ritt commander of the Department of the
East, with headquarters on Governors s
Island, New York Harbor; Rear-Admiral
Philip, Rear-Admral Rodgers and En-
gineer-in-Chief George W. Melville, of the
Navy, and Gen. d. Mem. Gregg. who did
such good work at the battle Of Gettysburg.
NAVAL DISPLAY.
Mai. Colum, of the Navy and Marine
Committee, has received the following letter
from Admiral Sampson. 1t looks now as
if the Delaware will witness the greatest
naval event of recent years during the first
week in September:
U. S. Flagship New York, Newport, r. l.,
July 4, 1899.
SIR: | have to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of the Sd inst. inviting me
to participate, with the squadron under
my command. in the ceremonies attend
ing the 33d Encampment Of the G. a. X.
in September next. AS the time for the
EncamDment approaches | will be able
to make a reply. 1t is not practicable to
do so at present, so far in advance of the
time of the meeting of the Encampment.
Very respectfully,
VI. r. SAMPSON,
Rear Admiral, Commander-in-Chef U. S.
Naval forces on North Atlantic Station.
CITY DECORATIONS.
The veterans will be pleased with the
Court of Honor, which will run four blocks
or more OH Broad Street. 1t will be attract
i've enough in the daytime, but at night,
when brilliantly illuminated it will be a
thing of beauty, long to be remembered.
Capt. Frank F'urness believes that it will
capture the heart of every visitor. 1t will
encircle the City Hall, and that magnificent
the world. will contain myriads of electric
lights. The Court of Honor. in itself,
will be worth a long Journey to see, after
the shades Of night shall have fallen.
There is also some talk of making a
vertable "fairyIand" out of Independence
and Washington Squares. Standing at
| the G. A. X. Headquarters there is beauti-
| full vista running fully 900 feet, possibly
| more, to Seventh and Locust Streets. Both
| these Squares are historic. Washington
Square contains the bodies Of hundreds Of
| Revolutionary soldiers, who died of wounds
and illness in the city hospitals. AS to
Independence Square, there is no use saying
word. Every schoolboy in the land
knows all about it. The idea Of some of
the committee members is to fill the trees
of both squares with incandescent lights
and make an attraction that will rival the
| Court of Honor. Such scene at night on
historic ground would be well worth the
cost.
ENCAMPMENT NOTES.
1t is thought there will be fully $4,000
men in line in the parade on September ).
| By the system Of registration adopted
| by the Public Comfort Committee, COM
rades will have no trouble in locating
each other.
James A. Rappe, veteran of four wars
and nearly 80 years old, is ready to start
| from his home in Marmette, Wis, on Il
| bicycle.
Address all communications to General
Committee, S. w. Cor. 5th and Chestnut
| Streets, Philadelphia.
Work Of the Pension Office.
The report of certificates issued for the
| week ending July shows
Army invalid: Original, Is; increase and