Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-16
ARMY OF HEROES
ON THE WANE

THE Grand Army of the Republic
that splendid patriotic organiza
ton which has kept alive the socia
spirit of the volunteer army of the nortl
and the memories Of the bloody ciyi
war period. is on the wane For a mum
Der of years no sadder sight can be imag
ined than the witnessing of one of tb,
veterans annual encampments such a.
recently took place at Atlantic City. N. 7
The grand review is no longer the spec
tacuiar, imposing parade that it was g
decade or so ago. The firm tread of tn.
soldier has left the men who fill TN,
ranks of the Grand Army now. and :
totterlnS, mating march to the strains OF
music and the beating of drums has
taken its place.
Inc veterans of the great civil wal
are being called to the last muster witt
a rapldlty that is appalling Last veaf
nearly 5000 of the gray-haired men Whf
compose the Grand Army died and il is
estimated that because of the enfeebled
condition OF so many members of that
great organization these figures will be
doubled when the roll call is read next
YEAR In ten years, say men who have
given the matter careful study, there
VIII not be enough able-bodied men in
the ranks to fill a good-szed hall
' e1'.hale IL oaSeu on the present
membership of the Grand Army. OF
course, ii one in figuring takes the pen
SION hSt as basis there will be a differ
ent result. There are on the pension
roll at Washington about 5000 names
OF men who fought for the north during
the civil war. These are dying at the
rate of ou.OOu yearly-about four an hour
More than half of these, though elg:-
Die, are not members of the Grand Army.
PROBABLY because they do not feel them
Tic
TO join.
omBander-in-chief Van SAINT, address
ing the veterans at the recent encamp-
meht, gave the number of members at
tne beginning OF the present year as
-l''.oJ1. One year ago the numuer was
TO- 900. while in January, 1905, there wera
on the roll of the Grand Army 22J 80
names Thus ii can be seen that the
great organization is rapidly and surely
approaching the day when an earthly
reunion OF Its members will be no longer
possible.
AZ the present death rate the =. A R.
VIII be able to keep up it's annual gather
inss and parades for about ten years
become as are the Mexican war veterans
10th to leave their homes and irrespon-
slve to the summons to assemble.
Ii Is certain that there will never again
De parade like the one reviewed a few
weeks ago at Atlantic City by Vice Presi-
dent Sherman. Many of those who par
ticipated in this feature of the encamp-
Inent TINS year have reached their homes
with this thought uppermOst in the
breasts. They will look back to the affair
as an occasion when they bade farewell
10 one another forever this side of
the eternal bivouac
Almost all of the great generals are
gone. Grant. Sherman and Sheridan
long ago were laid away to rest. Only
three corps commanders are left
Gen. Sickles. approaching his eighty
seventh birthday, is still hearty, Gen.
Dodge has given up none of his activi-
ties. while Gen. Wilson, in Delaware is
writing history and enjoying life. Aside
rom these there is scarcely a Union Off
conflict ended who is alive today.
NO officer Is more loved and revered
by the rank and file of the Grand Army
than is Gen. Sickles When the old war
horse" made his appearance at the recent
and hobbled with the aid
IF his clutches toward the speakers stand
t was the signal for an outburst of fren-
)t the veterans for half an hour after
hey had borne him on their shoulders
% the fag-hung platform.
Gen. Sickles mas had an interesting and
'ather spectacular career
Educated at the University of New
hen a lawyer and then politician,
folding several state offices.
AT the beginning of the civil war
'ickles organized a brigade; was commits
Toned colonel, and fought desperately
lie was corps commander at Gettysburg
Where he covered himself with glory and
ost his right leg.
After the war Sickles was made min
ster to Spain, which post he htld for
everal years.