Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-19
ASSUMES COMMAND
Gen. John R. King Issues His
First Order.
ANNOUNCES THE DEATH
OF LATE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
GENERAL BLACKMAR.
Al L..
ANNOUNCES THE DEATH
Committee Appointed to Draft Resolu-
tions for Presentation at Next
Encampment-Chan Made.

command of the grand army today in an
order announcing the death of the late
commander-in-chief, Gen. Wilmon w.
Blackmar of Boston. Gen King directs
that the colors be draped at every head
quarters and post for period of ten days
after the receipt of the order, and that
every member of the G. A. R. take such
steps as seem fitting to perpetuate the
memory of the dead commander. Only one
change is made in the staff of the COM
mander-in-chief by Gen. King. At his own
urgent request Gen. Schoonmaker, chief of
staff. has been relieved and Capt. McCardy
of this city appointed in his place. A COM
mittee to consist of the adjutant general,
the inspector general, the judge advocate
general and Commander E. b. Stillings or
Post No 40 of the Department of MaSSa-
chusetts has been appointed to prepare and
present suitable resolutions to the grand
army at the next annual encampment in
Denver. The full text of the order follows:
General Kings Order.
HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY
.'OF THE REPUBLIC,
washington. D. c., July IS. 1905.
ITO department commanders and to the
comrades Of the Grand Army of the Re
public:
with very sincere regret l announce the
death OF my predecessor. Wilmon w. Black
mar, at Boise City, Idaho, July Is. 1905
My pen pauses in this communication.
He was so fitted for his high place. de-
voted to its duties and so pledged to their
carrying out that the pity of his passing
cannot be told.
Those of us who were present at Boston
upon the occasion when. after his unani-
nous election by reclamation, he addressed
US will not forget the exalted spirit that
moved him, nor the lofty words of devotion
with which he pledged himself to the best
interests of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie. How proud he was for what he had
done for it, how happy in the reception of
the high honor, and, under these united feel
ings, he spoke as few have ever spoken.
even under similar circumstances. lecall
his words:
81 accept the great honor which has to-
day been conferred upon me by my COM
radeS here assembled and, Coo
helping me, 1 will perform my great duties
to the best of my ability.
'Forty-one years ago today was In the
midst of great body of men. as am to-
day, but they were young men. mere boys
most of them, all clad in the uniform of our
country; that uniform torn, solleu ana
threadbare.
Under the gallant Rosecrans we were
toiling over the Cumberland mountains, the
men dragging cannon and ammunition wa
CONS over painless sleeps and preciplceS
where horses could not find a foothold. We
scaled the seemingly impossible mountains
and captured Chattanooga, the stronghold
of the enemy, then marched to the bloody
field of Chickamauga.
Many of those dear old boys. my COM
rades, are here today, gray and wrinkled,
but young and strong of heart, gathered as
then from distant states. and true to the
comradeship What contrast
nv comrades between August IS, 1863, and
August IS, 1905! Thank God SO many of
US have been spared these forty years to
see and know the growth and glory Of that
f.~ - oh a 20 ir1u
health, limb and life!
Remember, We are the comrades of Lin
coin, Grant. Sherman, Sheridan and the
hosts they led to keep our nation whole.
OF what greater honor or dignity could hui
mans boast?
Let our prayer be that we may be spared
our reason to the very end; that We may,
when our time shall come, with head erect
and courage still unfailing, look calmly
into the face of death, as we have a hun
bred times before, and with smile go to
greet our comrades who have already
crossed the river.
And may our eyes then, for the last
time, rest upon one of our beautiful Ameri
can sunsets, where the sky is streaked
with the red. the white, the blue, from
which was born the flag We fought under
and brought home without a star missing
from its field"
Dear comrades. he was spared for the
realization of this dream, of this soldiers
hope and prayer. With reason mistaken
and In the far-away west saw the sun NOV
ing downward as he had pictured it In his
speech to us.
And now he is on the other side, and has
Joined the great army of the immortals.
He Is with those who rest from their la
bors and a peace.
To his stricken wife and the associates
of his manhood and to the comrades every
where we tender the expression of our
DEEPEST sorrow at his going, and our pride
In the manner of his going, for he fell at
the front, engaged in the great work of his
office. strengthening, sustaining and honor
ing the Grand Army of the Republic and
giving TO its comrades cheer and comfort
and brave example of a noble life.
Directions Given.
I direct that the colors be draped at
every headquarters and every post for ten
days after the receipt and PRONUNCIATION of
this order. and / request comrades every
where to take such steps as will help to
perpetuate the memory of this good man,
our departed commander-in-chief Our
emotions must be mingled deep at the go
ing, and pride in the gallant actor who has
gone.
1 hereby assume command of the Grand
Army of the Republic.
1 appoint the adjutant general, the in
spector general and the judge advocate gen.
eraI and Comrade z. b. Stillings of Post
No 40. Boston, Mass, as a special COM
mittee to prepare and present suitable reso-
buttons upon this occasion to the Grand
Army at its next annual encampment at
Denver, at such hour as may be determined
by the presiding officer.
Because OF his urgent request, as well as
his statement of imperative duty mpelling
him thereto, Comrade Schoonmaker is re-
lieved chief of staff and Comrade Nc
Cardy past department commander of the
Department of Minnesota, Is hereby ap-
pointed to the vacancy thus created.
The adjutant general will continue In the
performance of the duties of his office dur
ing the remainder of the year and until his
successor shall be chosen in the encamp-
ment
, All other officers of the staff are respect
fully requested to remain on duty according
to the appointments heretofore made.
In fraternity. charity and loyalty,