The National tribune., 1902-03-13
MASSACHUSETTS ENcAMpMENT.
A Large and Enthusiastic Gathering-wil-
mon W. Blackmar Elected Commander.

sets C. A. r., held in Faneuil Hall, on
Feb. IL and II. was one of the most sue
cessful Encampments ever held by the
| Department of Massachusetts. The En-
campment had a membership of $50, the
greater part of whom were present on the
first day, and the great harmony that pre-
vailed throughout the Encampment attest
ed to the fact that as time rolls on and
old age creeps steadily upon the comrades
the spirit of fraternity among them
strengthens instead Of weakens.
The Encampment was promptly called
to order by Department Commander Bar
ton at 10 o'clock on the morning of Feb.
IL with three raps from a gavel made
from wood taken from Andersonville
Prison grounds, and presented to Depart
ment Commander Barton by that devoted
| friend of the Union veteran, Past Ma
tional President OF the W. L. c., Mrs.
| Lizabeth A. Turner. whose memory will
ever be sacred in the hearts of the COM
rades of the Department of Massachu-
sets. After prayer, offered by Depart
ment Chaplain Hickok, the comrades lis
| tened attentively to the reading of an able
and eloquent address by Department Com
mander Silas A. Barton, who said at the
commencement of his address: Let US
bow our heads with reverence and graft
tude to the Almighty, to Whom we are
indebted for the preservation of our lives
and health. which permits us to again
meet and renew the ties of eomradeship,
! while We hold sacred the memory of those
| who have answered the last roll call dur
ing the II months just passed"
| The reports of the different Department
officers exhibited the fact that the De
partment was in first-class condition in
every respect. There were in the Depart
ment on Dec. 81, 1901, 1898 comrades
in good standing. The total gain for the
year was 494, and the total loss 1,244,
showing a net loss of 80 comrades, of
which number 621 were lost by death
alone. The receipts for the year, includ
ing cash on hand at the beginning Of the
year, amounted TO $40, 0,35602, and the ex-
penses to S5,51S24, leaving a cash bal
ance in the treasury of Si,S31.1S While
for special reasons the expenses of the De
partment have been large during the past
year, nevertheless the finances of the De-
partment are in good condition, with no
Posts in the Department in arrears for
dues. The sending of resolution of SYM
pathy to President Roosevelt and family
at Groton was the happy thought of Past
Department Commander Geo. 5. Evans.
The election of officers was by vote of
the Encampment, assigned for 2:30 o'clock
in the afternoon of the first day, but at
just about the arrival of that hOur a del
egation was announced from the Woman's
Relief Corps, who were escorted into the
EHcampment by Comrades Olin, Innis and
Castle, amid the loud plaudits of the as
sembled comrades, who arose to their feet
when they entered. The Department w.
Il. G. was accompanied by National Pres
ident of the Order Mrs. Calista X. Jones,
who made very able address, as did also
Department President Mrs Dorcas A. Ly-
man. The statistics of the Department,
W. Il. c., were listened to with much in
terest as they were read by Past National
President and Department Treasurer Mrs.
Sarah Il. Fuller.
The comrades were also favored with
an address by their great favorite, Past
National President Mrs. LiZabeth A. Tur-
ner. Hardly had the delegates of the W.
r. G. left the hall when Commander-in-
Chief Torrance and staff were announced,
and they were escorted to the platform in
.ke midst of the widest enthusiasm, and
interesting speeches were made by both
the Commander-in-C Chief and his Chief of
Staff, Commander Brakeman.
The election OF officers was> harmonious
in the extreme, all being elected by one
vote cast by the Assistant Adiutant-Gen
nral with the exception Of the Junior Vice
Commander, there being three candidates
for that office. Comrade Lucius Field was
elected, with 31S votes out of 452 votes
cast. On the morning of the second day,
it being learned that Gen. 0; o. Howard,
Gen. Dan. u. Sickles and Gen. Wheeler
were if the city, Commander Castle, of
Post 81, was detailed to invite them to
the Da0quet iG the afternoon.
The fusHal number of resolutions wore
introduced, the greater part of which, as
usual, were not passed. The establish |
ment of a National Park at Petersburg,
Va, was indorsed by the Eneampment, |
as was also the erection of statue to Gen.
Benj. +. Butler by the State. As the En-
campment was drawing to a close, Mrs.
Martina Hamilton, Secretary of the Array
Nurses Association, was introduced, and
addressed the comrades in very interest |
ius and touching manner. On her retire
melt she received an ovation of which |
she may well be proud. the comrades ris-
ing and cheering wildly to express their
appreciation of the Army Nurse"
One of the interesting features Of the
closing scenes of the Encampment was the
presentation of a testimonial to Past
Judge-AdvOcate Wolff (also Past Judge |
Advocate GeneraD, for his services before |
the Supreme Court of the State to secure |
the veterans rights, and Comrade Wolff |
(who is colored) fittingly responded. Re- !
t;:Ing Department Commander SIlaS y. |
Barton was the recipient of n very hand |
some Past Department Commanders
badge, from the hands of Chief of Staff |
jos. Z. Shaw, the latter making a very |
presentation speech, while |
the former replied in a very feeling man
ner, expressive of his appreciation of the
good will of the comrades.
The banquet at the American House |
was the largest ever held by the Depart
ment Encampment, fully 500 comrades be-
ing present, and compelling the hosts of |
the American House to provide an over
flow banquet.
Patriotic and fraternal speeches were
made by Commander-in-Chief Torrance,
Gen. o. o. Howard, Gen. Wheeler, Com
mander Blackmar, Past Commanders Bar
ton. Peter n. Smith and others. On the
whole the 3Gth Encampment of the De-
partment of Massachusetts, will go down
in history as one of the most harmonious
fraternal gatherings the Department ever
held.
Officers ected-Commander, Wilmon
w. Backmar; S. V. c., Dwight o. Judd;
J. V. c., Lucius Field: Medical Director,
e.. +. Walker, M. D.; Chaplain, Rev.
Chas. FL. Hickok.
Council of AdministratiOn-Wm. w.
Castle, Post 90; Geo. A. Wheeler, Post
124; Geo. Z. Harrington. Post %; VIM.
III. McFarlane, Post 5; VIM. III. Wheeler,
Post 10.
WDr rnNyENTIONS