The National tribune., 1902-08-07
FOR SENIOR VICE cOMMANDER-lN-cHIEF
The Department of Ohio Nominates Comrade
j. L. Smith.

sends out the following:
Cleveland, o., July %, 1902.
The following is an extract from the
proceedings OF the 3Uth Annual Encamp-
ment, Department of Ohio, Grand Army
of the Republic, Lancaster, Ohio, May
u, and s, 1902:
.'Comrade Winship, of Post 141, under
instructions by the united delegation from
Cuyahoga County, to bring i matter to
the attention of this Encampment, reveals
a little of the past history of National
Encampments, referring to the old GUS
tom prevalent in the Encampment of Sc
lecring the Senior Commander from
In Cleveland candidate for that posi-
tion was presented, and delegates from all
the city where the Encampment was held.
the great Departments of this country
regret the fact that they had, by their
actions, derogated that rule and put them
selves in Il position where they could not
extend the courtesy; and Col. Winship de-
clared that if Ohio came to the next Ma
tional Encampment presenting the name
of a comrade from Il State other than that
in which the Encampment was held, that
he would receive their cordial support.
In pursuance thereof Col. Winship moves
that the delegates to the next National
Encampment be requested to present as
a candidate of the State of Ohio for the
position of Senior iceCOmmander-in
Chief the name of COmrade j. l.. Smith,
of Memorial Post 141, and be requested
to urge his election by all honorable
MEANS"
The motion of Col. Winshp was called
by the Department Commander and car
ried unanimously.
Memorial Post al, of Ohio, under
Comrade J. l.. Smiths administration, has
made such rapid strides in Grand Army
work and in answering heroically and pa
triotically every demand made along the
lines of Grand Army ministrations in the
way of helping the sick, clothing the
naked, burying the dead, and in reinforc-
ing the Post in numbers, until it stands
the banner Post of any in the entire cOun-
try, from the Atlantic to the Gulf. The
membership comprises and within its
ranks are the best men of northern Ohio,
and is looked upon as being an exact rep
resentation of what Grand Army Post
should be.
Comrade ]. L. Smith is a pioneer in
Grand Army work; from occupying the
least of positions he has worked his way,
step by step, until he has become the
Commander of the Post, being selected
several times in succession us Command
er, and increased its membership many
hundreds during his administration, as
well as perfecting the completest and
most perfect system in detail for the pro-
lection of the comrades, in relieving the
poor and destitute, visiting the sick, bury
ing the dead, and taking part i'll the Me
mortal services for the dead each year,
until it is not too much to say that for
anything in Grand Army work and in the
perfection of its ritual, in carrying out
its divine principles, Memorial Post 141.
under COmrade J. l.. Smith, has attained
to position of being second to none in
the Grand Army of the Republic.
Il. II 7 ly,k
kins, n. Y, Feb. 13, 1864, as a private, in
Co. NJ, Sth \. Y. II. A. AT the time Of
his enlistment he was but IA years of age,
and was attending school at Elmira, n.
Y. He joined his regiment Immediately,
which was stationed at Baltimore, Md.
On May ID the regiment was ordered to
the front, being attached to the Second
Brigade, Second Division, Second Corps. |
He participated in the battle of Spottsyl
vania, Va, May 10, and in the battles of
North Anna, Cold HarbOr and the assault
on Petersburg. He was also engaged in
the battles of Jerusalem Road, of
Petersburg, Ream's Station. Deep Bottom
and Hatcher's Run. On Sept. %, 1864, |
he was detached on special service, being |
attached to Battery No. 10 of the Artil- |
lery Brigade of the Ninth Corps, serving |
between the lines in front of the rebel |
Fort Crater"
All who are acquainted with the posi-
ton and nature of the work done by this |
battery know that this service was extra
hazardous. being under the guns of the |
Union Fort Morton and in front of the
best guns in the rebel service, which tried |
to dismantle this battery. |
Of six months, cooking, eating and sleep |
ng there during this time. After the |
evacuation of Petersburg he joined his |
regiment, and was present at the surren-
der of Lee at AppOmattOx. This regi- |
ment was one of the most famous in the |
civil war. During the year at the front |
the regiment lost in killed and wounded
| ,01O men; two Colone]s, Peter A. Porter
and Willard w. Bates, and II other Off
GERS being killed in action. After the
close of the war Comrade J. L. Smith
was transferred to Co. G, 10th N. Y,
from which he was discharged ON July 5,
1868.
Comrade J. L. Smith has attended most
IF the Encampments held by the Grand
Army, and is well known as being a ge-
NAL, all-around good comrade He is now
Of this Encampment fall upon him as be-
ing the Senior Vice-Commander, he will
bring to the discharge of such duties a
wel-balanced mind, executive ability OF
very high order, and attention to all de-
.ails Of such an office. and loyalty to the
bid comrades, as well as reflect the wis
lom of the choice of the Encampment in
selecting him for such a position.
COmrade Smith is at present employed
,y the Lake Shore Railroad Company.
He has steadily advanced from one posi-
ion to another until at the present time
lie holds the position of City Ticket Agent,
md is located at Cleveland, Ohio. The
comrades whose names are hereto an
lexed vouch for the above statement and
llso for the executive ability and fitness
If Comrade J. l.. Smith for such trust,
Ind we hope that this Encampment can
zee its way clear in giving such aid to
Jomrade J. l.. Smith as will secure him
he recognition he thus seeks. and that
Ohio, who has always aligned along the
,attle front in sunshine and in storm in
very interest of the Grand Army, may
,e recognized to this extent, and that
Cleveland, the metropolis of this State,
nay have the honor of providing the man
or this position, and that that man may
De COmrade ]. l.. Smith.
!. o. Winship, NJ. A. Hanna. James Bar
nett. Committee, Cleveland, 0.
N-ARMs.