Omaha daily bee., 1910-08-21
WYPrcAL GROUP OF
] OLD SOLDIERoS

800 bad II rained last week.
You mean too bad on account
Of the annual encampment OF
- the Douglas County Veterans
NN1NlA4 association at Camp Tucker,
- otherwise Florence? Yes, it
was too bad, but the veterans, as YOU
doubtless realize. are all old campaigners
and have weathered storms entitled to the
term, 80 the rain and the lowering days
did not quench the ardor nor drown any
of the plans for the reunion of the Boys
in Blue.
To be strictly truthful the above should
be qualified; 1t did not change the plans
to any large extent. but 1t did prevent the
comrades from occupying the canvas
sleeping apartments which were part OF
the camp. Damp weather is bad for
Theumatics was the general explanation
for the lack of desire TO live in tents.
The official program for the four days
of the encampment contained addresses
by distinguished comrades. reading of re-
ports. transaction of business and the
regular formula OF a convention. Important
as each OF these was, and interesting, to
be sure, to all the G. A. r. men, this Of
ficial program only suggested what was the
real motive OF the assembly. TO feel the
pulse OF the encampment you had only to
stand near or In the headquarters tent and
listen as the former soldiers came up TO
register.
Each veteran signed his name, then be-
fore he let his pencil record the fact an
nounced his company and regiment
''Forty-sixth Illinois infantry. Are there
others here from my regiment"
Answering his own question he read up
the list became excited when he read
Forty-sixth Ohio hesltated as though he
hoped the recorder might have intended his
Ill. for the letter o. Then the finger con-
tinued to journey back through the list
until. Joy! II found another Forty sixth
Illinois infantry.
by jolly! There is another man here.
Do you know him? Where he is? I'd like
TO see him!" And he started out to find
the man of his regiment,
Other scenes in front of the tent were
illustrative OF the second stage
do you remember"
Sure, a little gray man, but whirl-
wind
II should say ! do remember. And do
you rseolect---?" And the two men in
blue strolled off across the damp grass
OF the town park discussing marches
through the marshes. and strenuous fight
ing in the old days.
This reunion feature OF the encampment
gives pause to the casual visitor. The civil
war steps out from its place in the dog
cared history and pulsates for the be-
holder, with something OF the live interest
which It holds in the memory OF the partici-
pators
AS you listen to these snatches OF gos-
sip of the warriors you hear also bits of
the speech in the nearby tent where the
program is being given.
Comrades, I'm proud to be here today;
proud to be with YOU proud of you and
glad to recall with you the days when we
answered our country's call and fought
that the Union might be preserved to our
children and grandchildren, and their child
rem"
nearby voice browns the eleoquence Of
the platform talker
Last time 1 heard from Johnny he was
on his way west, driving across country.
He was looking fine too"
Zine fellow, Johnny"
"One OF the best that ever lived. And do
YOU remember"
This conversaton-+t was not eavesdrop-
ping to listen for each mans pleasure in
the talk made him glad to share the remit
niscence with whoever was listening-was
again superseded by an Introduction. two
men Of the came regiment. who met for the
tirst times