The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-09-30
C. A. R. GATHERS
AT ENCAMPMENT
FORTY THOUSAND UNION vETER
ANS, CARRIED IN FADED BLUE
SUITS, IN WASHINGTON.
WILL REPEAT GRAND REVIEW
First Day Given Up to Careful Regis
tration and the Finding Of Old Com
rades-Many Former confed-
crates Present.

Washington, Sept. 27.-The national
capital today is the maneuvering
ground OF the men who half a century
ago fought the battles that resulted in
the preservation of the Union.
All day yesterday, last night and to-
day the veterans of the Grand Army
Of the Republic have been arriving at
Washington to attend what may be
their last reunion, and today there are
ut least forty thousand of them In the
capital, CARRIED in faded blue suits,
with bravely shining brass buttons.
Fifty years ago these same veterans
marched down Pennsylvania avenue
In the grand review that celebrated
the fall of Richmond and the end OF
the Civil war. Next Wednesday they
are to ~re-enact that scene and, with
Col. David J. Palmer of Des Moines.
Ia, It their head, will march again
from the capitol to the White House,
where President Wilson will review
them. Colonel Palmer led the grand
review at the close of the val.
All Carefully Registered.
There was 40 set program to be
followed today. Time was allowed to
permit the veterans TO become set
tied in their lodgings and for registra-
ton. Registration has been made an
important part of the reunion. Owing
to the fact that at the Gettysburg re-
union In the summer of 1913 great
disappointment was felt by many OF
the veterans at being unable to find
old comrades in arms, especial care
has been taken to overcome any such
difficulty at Washington. The regis
traitor devised Is elaborate and will
enable a veteran to get In touch on
short notice with anyone present from
his old corps, regiment, or even com.
pany.
The large brick building recently va
Gated by the bureau of the census has
been turned over to the G.. A. r. for
use as a registration office and general
headquarters for the veterans-a sort
of clearing house for old soldiers.
Special committees have made ar
rangements for housing the veterans
and comfortable lodgings have been
provided for all of them. The old
soldiers all pay their own expenses in
attending the reunion, although citi-
ems Of Washington have raised a
fund to be used in entertainment.
Old Wounds Are Healed.
Further evidence was given today
that the wounds OF 81 have healed.
When the encampment was opened
there were present among the boys
in blue" many Confederate veterans
who fought against the North in that
memorable struggle. In addition, Col.
John McElroy, head of the committee
on arrangements, had letters from
many other southern survivors ex.
pressing their regrets that they were
unable to come to Washington.
The following extract from a letter
written by zone of Pickett's division
of Virginia" is characteristic of the
sentiment now prevailing between the
Blue and the Gray:
Il love the life OF a soldier and all
things connected with it, and while
the boys In blue and gray differed ma
terially as to why they were soldiers,
let 1t be said they were soldiers and
true American soldiers. And irrespec.
tive OF the cause espoused by either
the blue OF the gray, their hearts were
In the right place and a helping hand
was always extended to the van
pushed with that nobility OF soul that
characterized the true. brave soldier
OF both armies. Now that our differ.
ences have been healed. let us leave
to our children a heritage of the con.
ISOLATION of knowing their fathers
fought for a cause near and dear tc
them as they saw It."