The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-09-19
FOR 6. A. r. VETERANS.
Commander Gipson Issues, a circuiar
Letter Regarding the National En-

I
Commander Gipson Issues, a circuiar
Letter Regarding the National En-
campmsnt.
Headquarters Department. of North
Dakota, Grand Army of the Republic,
Valley City, N. D., Sept. 1, 19G2.-Cir-
cular No: /: Dear Comrades-The
coming national encampment at Wash
ington, d. G., which will be held
from Oct. to II, offers us another, and
probably the last, opportunity to visit
as body of veterans, the city, which,
to us, must ever be the most interest
ing, as well as the most dearly loved
OF the commonwealth OF our country.
10 every American the city of Wash
1ngton is a sort of Mecca; but to us 1t
is something even more; for it is the
heart of national lite, and it typifies
and represents the object for which
we SO gladly offered the, greatest sac
rifice man can make.
Forty years ago many of us marched
through its streets with light and buoy
ant hearts. The beat of the drum was
not more confident than the beat of our
hearts; the shrill fife was not so high
as were our hopes. All, my comrades,
who can look back upon the first visit
to Washington without a fond smile of
regret? Little did we know the stern
work before us; and not even the most
doleful fears of the most homesick lad
among us could paint the experiences
OF the days which heightened into
weeks, into months, and dragged their
back trail into long years which fol-
lowed, before we again looked upon
the dome of the capitol.
Our ranks had been sadly broken;
our banners tattered, and no city or
place on earth would look so dear to us
as home, sweet home-be it ever so
humble. No sightseeing then. Now
we can return and look upon the fruits
OF our labors. The grandest city in
the Union, it's very excellence was
made possible by what was done by
you; and each of you had part.
The commander desires to call to
your mind that now is the time to
make ready to go. Everything posi-:
BILE has been done to make the trip a
grand success. Rates unprecedented
have been secured. From St. Paul to
Washington and return the railroad
fare is $3.50. Tickets on sale, I'd, Sd
and 4th. From Valley City to Wash
ington and return, $2965. We shall
never again stand OH the old fields to-
gether. One dollar and thirty cents
takes you from Washington to Ante
tam and Gettysburg battlefields and
return. You can visit them all-Spott-
sylvania. Cold Harbor, Petersburg, the
Shenandoah Valley, charlottesville
and Richmond, and forty more, all for
a few dollars. Cannot you-all of you
come with us and have this great
qualification? Bring your wives and
friends, whom you have been telling
about these places for the past forty
years. Do not think this or that him
ders you, but march out-and go!
North Dakota ought to make the best
showing it ever has. Do not forget the
official route: Over the Northern Pa
cit1c to st. Paul. Wisconsin Central to
Chicago; and Baltimore & Ohio to
Washington; leaving Valley City, N.
D., Friday morning, Oct. 3, at sos a.
m, arriving at St. Paul at $3.50 p. M;
and leave st. Paul at 7:4O p. M, on the
Wisconsin Central, arriving in Chica-
go at 1888 a. m. Saturday; leave Chi
cago over the Baltimore & Ohio at
1910 a. NJ, arriving in Washington, if
there is no delay, Sunday noon, Oct. S,
in time for rest and Mondays parade.
Posts desiring special tourist cars
from st. Paul should notify the Wis
consm Central a couple of days previ-
Gus to leaving home. The Wisconsin
Central and Baltimore & Ohio will re-
ceive and carry over their tracks to
Washington without change any spe-
cial or tourist cars of any road the
North Dakota comrades from any point
in the state may turn over to them.
Headquarters will be established at
Room Z, Herndon House, 1858, New
York avenue, N. W., two blocks from
the treasury building. where all COM
rades are cordially invited and rooms
engaged for the sleeping of twenty-five
persons, at 81 per day, which can be
secured by writing the commander.
Write to your friends to call on you at
the Herndon.
Yours in F., C. and L.
j. C. GIBSON,
Department Commander: