Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1914-06-18
THE ENCAMpMENT
Fully Two Thousand Veterans in
Line Cordial Welcome by the
People of Madison.

The forty eighth annual encampment
OF the Dept of Wisconsin, Grand Army
of the Republic, held at Madison from
the to 18th inst was Il memorable one
in the history of that patriotic order.
The reception of the veterans aud the
members of the five affiliated societies
was enthusiastic and worthy of the
Capital city, where is located Camp
Randall, one Of the most famous
meditation fields duriug the Civil war.
where more than 10000 Wisconsin boys
were drilled for service at the front.
The weather was ideal and the whole
city was most beautifully decorated
with the national colors The dome of
the new capital building was abla2e
with electric lights for the first time
since it was built and it made an i'm
pressive center piece for the other
martial decorations flying in the city.
The Governor had caused tents to be
erected in the capital park and turned
these and the spacious lawns over to
the visitors during the encampment
and also supplied them with free
lemonade.
The G. A. r. headquarters was at
the Park hotel the reception and reg
istration headquarters in the large tent
pitched in the capital park, 1t was
estimated that fully 1000 veterans were
present on Wednesday and more ar
irving on every train. The Sons of
Veterans and Boy Scouts did much in
helping and seeing that the Grand Army
men were made comfortable and con-
veniently located.
Receptions were held on Tuesday
night, the G. A. r. at the Park hotel,
the w. r. c. at the Elks clubhouse and
the Sons of Veterans in the Assembly
chamber were each accompanied with
band and drum corps music. During
these receptions 1000 students headed
by the university band stopped in
front of each of the reception places
and serenaded the visitors.
Wednesday forenoon the first session
of the encampment was held in the
Assembly chamber, Dept Commander
C. H. Henry presiding. Addresses of
welcome were made by Mayor Kayser
in behalf of the city and Governor Nc
Govern in behalf of the state, who said
that lest there be any misgiving on the
latter score he would say, on behalf of
all the people the veterans were not
only greeted cordially, and received
gladly, but it was counted an honor to
entertain them.
At five o'clock Wednesday afternoon
there was a parade of the veterans
headed by the First Regimental band,
autos being provided for those unable
to walk the column passing over the
old Dayton road, which was used dur
ing the war by the soldiers in going to
and from the camp. A supper of
modern hard tack, pork, beans and
coffee was served free to the old boys
by the ladies of the G. A. r. Strains
of fife and drum music resounded over
the historic grounds, furnished by some
of the old musicians of 81 and '65
stirring address by Lieutenant Governor
Morris, followed by a reception by the
ladies of the &, A. r.
In the evening the university gym
nasium was packed for the exercises
given at a patriotic institute of the
w. r. G.. Addresses were made by
Col. McGregor, Dept Commander
Henry, Former Congressman S. A.
Cook and others, interspersed with
music by the Mozart Glee club.
Thursday forenoon was given to the
business meeting of the encampment.
In the afternoon the annual parade of
the members of G. A. R. and Sons of
Veterans was held around the capital
square. Veterans unable to walk were
carried in automobiles. The parade
was a mile long and was most impres
sive. The camp fire at night in the
gymnasium closed the encampment,
the principal speaker being Command
erin Chief Washington Gardner of
Albion Mich, 5. A. Cook, the newly
elected department commander pre-
siding, bands played and the big crowd
sang war songs.
Wausau was selected as the place for
the annual encampment next year be-
ginning June 8. Madison was retained
as G.. A. R. headquarters, Captain F.
A Bird in charge, who was also APP
pointed assistant adjutant general and
assistant quartermaster general those
offices having been consolidated.
The Willow Springs Picnic.
The annual picnic Of the Willow