Norwich bulletin., 1909-05-12
STATE ENcAMPMENT OF
THE GRAND ARMY.
Opened at South Norwaik and Reports
of Officers Were Read.

Comrades of the civil war met at
South Norwalk Tuesday to transact
the business of the annual encamp-
ment of the department Of Connect
cut, Grand Army Of the Republic, and
in their honor the flag of the union
was flown to the breeze from many
hagstaffs and bunting decorated many
of the business houses. 1t was the
forty-second gathering Of the kind.
The delegates were the guests of
Douglas Fowler post named after the
officer who recruited Company A,
Third Connecticut regiment, in 1862.
which regiment was later a part of
the Army Of the Potomac. Lieut.
Colonel Fowler was killed at Oakmill.
The encampment was presided over
| by Commander Edward Griswold Of
Guilford.
The council OF administration had
meeting Tuesday morning at Grand
Army headquarters at the Hotel Cliff
ford and all the 500 delegates were
presented with their badges.
The first session of the delegates
was held early Tuesday afternoon in
the srmory and Department Comman-
der Edward Griswold and the other
officers submitted their reports for the
past year.
Commander GrIswoId's Report.
Commander Edward Griswold of
Guilford. in his report, made particu-
lar mention of the services of his staff
officers, and especially of the faithful
service of Col William E. Morgan,
the assistant adjutant general. Good
words were spoken of the manage
ment of the soldiers home at Norotor,
which at its last report had 54S in
mates. The outside aid fund is doing
noble work, which at present is be-
ing used for assisting ITO veterans
and 204 widows.
The participation Of the department
in the national encampment at Tole-
do and at the Hartford bridge cele-
bration was referred to. The law in
regard to the raising Of the flag On
school houses is being well observed.
Commander Griswold advised rhe
comrades to visit the schools on the
Friday before Memorial day and tell
the children the cause of the war, the
stories of the war, and the lessons.
Let no school be overlooked. Aid for
the Women's Relief corps, the Ladies
Of the G. A. r., and the Sons of Vet
Grams was urged. The commander
said that the Spanish War Veterans
should be recognized as one Of the pat
riotic organizations of the state, and
that they should be recognized in
the social gatherings. He urged con-
Iinued recruiting among the war vet
Grams, so that all the survivors may
be gathered into the G. A. r.
He also spoke Of the regret he felt
that the state would not lake the col
lection of war relics offered by the
late Comrade J. w. EIdridge. He
suggested that posts and comrades
who have war relics provide anthem
ticated history of each article so that
later generations may know the gen.
uine from the spurious.
Assistant Adiustant Generals Report,
Asst. Adjt.-Gen. William e. Morgan
reported that the membership of the
department January 1 was 3,464,
net loss of 155 since the last encamp-
ment. There were gained during the
year 172 comrades, but of the losses
176 were taken by death. AS two de-
linquent posts made reports within 20
days of the closing Of the annual re-
port the actual loss in membership
was reduced to 131 instead of 1855
During 1908 there was expended for
charity by the department $S,1Ss; the
amount OF relief funds is $31,35T; the
amount Of post funds $27,065. Eleven
years ago the membership was 6,4S2
The other reports submitted were
from NJ. w. Robinson Of Noroton
Heights, the medical director, vino
suggested that each post send a com
rade to visit the soldiers home: from
William T. Hilton, the department
chaplain, who told Of the Memorial
day observances; from N. L. Bishop.
the department patriotic instructor:
from Hezeliah B. Smith, department
inspector; from T. L. Bartholomew,
the chief mastering officer; from VIII
liam H. Dougal. the Judge advocate.
and from Thomas Boudren, chairman
Of the home committee
Mrs. Isadore M. Gladwin of Middle
town submitted the report Of the Wo-
mems Relief corps as department pres
ident, showing that $2,0l5 had been
turned over &c posts. The membership
is 3.040. with forty seven corps.
Tuesday night a camp fire was held
III the South Norwalk Methodist
church which was preceded by a-pa
lfGe and an open air concert. At the
chcrch the delegates were welcomed
by MaNor F. l. Burnell, who was fol-
lowed by ]. r. Taylor and Rev. C. S.
MacFarland, who was also extended
a welcome. The response was made
by Department Commander Edward
Griswold Among the other speakers
were F. o. Cole national adjutant gen
eral. of Jersey City; Rev Edward An
derson, past chaplain in chief; Will
liam LounsburY, Bridgeport, comman-
der Spanish War Veterans; Past Jun
ior Vice Commander in Chief F. B. Al
len, and A. B. Beers, Of the national
staff.
This morning the officers for the en-
suing year will be elected.