The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1902-07-25
G. A. R. ENcAMPMENT.
The Annual Encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic will be One of
Unusual Interest.

Unusual Interest.
The gathering of the Grand Army
in reunion at Washington, d. c., the
hrst week in October has awakened
considerable enthusiasm among the
comrades in the state. Department
Commander Starkweather desires Min
nesota shall make good showing and
Issues the following circular letter;
Dear Comrade:
The coming National Encampment at
washington, which will be held during
the nrst week of October, offers us an
other and probably the last opportunity
| to visit as a body of veterans the city
which to us must ever be the most in
tereStlng as Well as the most dearly loved
OF the commemorative of our country.
10 every American the city of Wash
lngton is sort Of Mecca, but to us it
must ever hold an attraction which is
not only greater but more tender and an
peallng; for it Is the heart of our ma
t1onal life, and it typifies and represents
| the object for which we so gladly Of
Tered the greatest sacrifice man can
| make.
Forty years ago many of us marched
through its streets in the flush of youth
with "a light step and a buoyant heart
When we came into contact with the
older men, when there was held up to
US the grief Of the nation, which looked
more In sorrow than in anger at the re-
DelllouS sons, we hardly understood the
| meaning of their tears. We marched
gayly out from its walls, with our ban
nerS flung out to greet the sun. The
peat or the drum was not more confident
than the beat of our own hearts, the
shriH fife was not so high as were our
hopes. Brave boys in blue were we, con-
foe
imagined would flee before us, strong in
the thought that in few short days, or
weeks, we would return with the hum
| BILE apologies of the few rebels whom we
| might overtake in their flight. Our only
| burden the shackles of the millions of
slaves whom we would liberate, and the
| laurel wreaths which in all probability
would replace our fatigue caps. when
we came back" we would take time to
| look over the city, and we might di-
versify our pleasures with receiving the
plaudits of grateful people All, my
Comrades, who of us can look back upon
| that first visit to Washington without a
| fond smile of regret. Little did we know
| of the stern work before u.s. and not even
| the most doleful fears of the most home
sick lad among us could paint the ex-
| periences of the days which heightened
| into weeks, into months and dragged
| their black trail into the long years which
| followed before we again looked upon the
| dome of the capitol.
Our ranks were sadly broken our
| banners tattered, our heads bowed with
WEAKNESS, our hearts with pain, which
| only the thought of reaching home could
tighten. What cared we for sightseeing
| or for the beauty of the city? The humb-
| lest farmhouse or cottage, so it were
| home, was sight far more beautiful
and few indeed Of the returning soldiers
| tarried longer than compelled by duty.
To them, as to every soldier, visit
| to Washington at this time offers the
| greatest promise Of pleasure. To go at
| all would be enjoyable, but to make the
! trip in the society Of men who have
| shared with you the scenes which are the
most vivid of your life is indeed a de-
| light not lightly to be put aside. A gath
| ering Of the survivors of the civil war is
| always an interesting as well as pleas
| urable occasion, but to meet where every
| surrounding speaks with the voice of an
| old and familiar friend gives an added
zest to every moment of joy.
1t is, therefore, urged upon your at
| tention that the coming encampment is
| but short time awao The three
| months which separate us from the date
| of the meeting will soon be past and the
| commander desires to call to your mind
the necessity of soon making plans which
| may permit you to share the pleasure
| which is promised US at that time. Make
| step, and that decided upon, ways and
| means of putting your determination into
| effect will more easily present themselves.
| Low rates have been promised us and
| the route selected will be one which we
| feel sure will give the greatest amount
| of sightseeing at the least cost A
| through train will be secured and will be
| composed of baggage and day coaches,
| tourist and Pullman Sleepers. This will
| present accommodations which will be
| within the limit of every purse and inso-
| much as entertainment while in the city
| will range from the free lodgings, fur
nished to such of the veterans as desire
| to avail themselves of their use, to the
| most costly and magnificent hotel SER
| vice, the needs of every one are sure of
| attention. Although it is not possible at
| this time to give exact informa ton as
| to the cost of tickets it may confidently
| be asserted that the rate will be as low as
| in former years, and the attraction of at
| tending the encampment much greater.
Around no other city north of Mason's
and DixOn'S line cluster so many memo
| ries of the great conflict Take up the
| order of events which transpired near
Washington and note the impressive ar
| ray:
First Bull Run, the Peninsular Cam
| paign, Second Bull Run, South Mountain,
| Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellors-
| vile, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Spott-
| sylVania, Cold Harbor, Richmond, Peters
| burg, the Shenandoah Valley, Appomat-
| tox. Comrades, no man who ever car
| ried a gun can hear that list and not ar
| IDENTIFY desire to view once more the
| scenes of such tremendous action. Cam
| not you'll mean each one Of you-come
with us and have this great qualification?
| Put aside the cares of your toll and treat
| yourself to a grand and glorious holiday.
| Don't sit down and think that this pre-
vents and that binders, but make up your
| mind to come and just march out. Min
nesota ought to make the best showing
| that she ever has. The honor of the cleo
| ton Of the commander chief has been
| given her and she should manifest her
| appreciation. The commander or adju-
| tant general will be glad to reply to any
| letters from comrades who wish to make
| special arrangements and invite all who
are interested to address them if they can
| be of any assistance Due notice will be
| forwarded at the earliest possible moment
| as to routes, rates and prices on tourist
| and Pullman sleepers.
Many short trips and excursions have
already been planned to the various bat
| tlefields and other points of interest near
| to the city and the cost of visiting these
| places of historic interest will be nomi
| nal. Talk this matter over with your
| friends, your neighbors and your COM
radaS and make nD a marty to go.