River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-06-16
10th Annual Encampment
Veterans of St. Croix Valley
Hold Reunion


The Saint Croix Valley Veteran 5
Association was welcomed to River
Falls for the third time when il be-
gan its sixteenth annual encamp-
ment in this city, Wednesday, June
IS. The entire citizen body has
taken warm and hearty interest
in this visit to River Falls of the old
soldier boys of the sixties, and has
endeavored outwardly and visibly
to re1nined them that they are most
welcome here and to make their
stay with US pleasurable and
memorable one. The business
places along the street are gaily
decked with profusion of bunting,
greetings and flags. "Old Glory"
kisses the breeze from the top of the
flag staff in the park, and the dwell
ings in town are few where the col
ors are not prominently and Hastily
displayed. Nothing has been left
undone which could add to the
pleasure and entertainment of those
survivors in this section of the
grandest army that ever fought in
the cause of right.
The early train Wednesday morn
ing brought nearly the entire Els
worth Post of the G. A. R., and with
them came their fife and drum corps
which has since met the trains and
escorted the incoming visitors to
the headquarters established in
Opera Hall. Here they were regis
tered and assigned to their places
in the hospitable homes of the city
which have been opened to them.
Yesterday afternoon was given
over to Company and Regimental
Reunions and the hours passed rap
idly with the renewal of the old tales
of the battlefield and camp. In the
evening Camp fire at Opera Hall
opened the festivities, after which
c. G. Knowles, President of the AS
ISOLATION, opened the meeting with
a short speech of welcome. The
Normal orchestra rendered a couple
of excellently fitting selections after
which Mayor Stiles in the name of
the city welcomed the soldier boys,
who responded through Comrade
James A. Andrews of Hudson. The
Normal orchestra rendered selec-
ton and Colonel ] A. Watrous, the
speaker of the evening began his
address, which was filled with in
terest and enthusiasm which only a
soldier who has been through many
campaigns can appreciate and feel.
Col. Watrous served in the Civil
War and was in the Philippines,
Cuba and our other Island posses
sions at the time of their occupa-
ton by the United States. His rem
iniscences were entertainingly given
and he held his audience easily
throughout the evening. The ladies
of the Relief Corps gave patriotic
Flag Drill which was we'll received
and the program closed with the
singing of America" u
To-day the veterans have been
given a glimpse of the beauties of
River Falls, riding about town in
carriages, led by President c. G.
Knowles, as master of ceremonies,
and accompanied by the Belden-
vile band which has furnished very
good music throughout the day. The
parade this morning was attractive
and large, and the boys marched
with a firmness and precision, that
considering their age, would put
many a younger body of men to
shame. At noon bounteous re-
past was served in G. A. R. hall,
after which the comrades repaired
to Opera Hall and held their bust
ness meeting and elected officers.
The encampment will close to-
night with a camp fire, and the
singing of the old-time war songs,
Short speeches will be made and
reunions held, and then the ad-
tournament will be made and good
byes said till the next annual meet
ing, at which it is hoped, the breaks
in the lines will be found to be few.
The Saint Croix Valley Veteran
Association was organized in this
city where the boys first met in 1898.
Encampments have been held in
the cities and the number registered,
as given in the appended list. No
encampments were held in the years
1896 and 1906, the National G. A.
r. Reunion being held in ST. Paul
the former year, and in Minneapolis
the latter.
1898, River Falls, 1863.
1894, New Richmond, 400.
1895, Amery.
1896, (No encampment.)
1897, Hudson.
1898, Ellsworth, EOS.
1899, Osceola, 70.
1900, Glenwood, 113.
1901, River Falls, 237.
1902, Clear Lake, ITO.
1908, Shell Laks, SIS.
1904, New Richmond, 165.
1905, Spring Valley, 1O1.
1906, mo encampment.)
1907, Prescott, 108.
1908, Glenwood, 1l9.
1909, Ellsworth, 1873.
1910, River Falls, $50
The next encampment will be
held in 1911 at Hudson. The fol-
lowing officers were elected at the