Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-28


c. Royce. at 7 80 pm.
Reception and banquet by the col
ored citizens Of Washington in Con-
Pension Office open to visitors
until pm.
man, adjutant general; Cola d. Stowits,
quartermaster general: w. +. Conner,
senior vice commander-in-chie Lewis
S. Pitcher. surgeon general; Judge
Philip S. Chase. assistant adjutant gem
eral; George A. Hosley, chief of staff,
and s. c. Spear. senior aid-de-cam
These officers formally paid their re-
for what he had done in the interests
Of the veterans and to make the en-
campment here success by granting
leave Of absence and in the dismissal of
the government employees tomorrow
that they might see the parade.
Reunions Held Today.
}, One of the gala events today was
reunion of former prisoners of war.
where several hundred survivors of
Libby prison assembled. The veterans
canvassed their ages and struck an
average Of seventy-two years. New
England, Oregon, California. Texas and
nearly every middle northern state was
represented.
While the reunion of the prisoners
was in progress man entered the
campfire room who wore no uniform of
blue. but had in the lapel of his coat
the emblem of the Confederacy. He
was welcomed with rousing rebel
YELL
A reunion of the Sth Army Corps
was held at 10 o'clock this morning on
the site of Fort Stevens. where Lincoln
stood on the firing line at the defense
Of Washington.
Hundreds of veterans participated in
the exercises and later at Camp Emery
with the 9Th Corps Joined in a re-
union Of the Army of the Cumberland.
This afternoon survivors of the 6th
Corps iaid a wreath on the grave of
their old commander. Gen. Horatio G..
Wright, in Arlington national eeme-
terry.
70 Flash Greeting Signal.
Prior: to the Presidential reception at
Camp Emery this evening greeting to
the Grand Army will be flashed from the
domeHof the Capitol by an eighty-three-
year-oid veteran Of the Signal Corps. This
will be followed by twilight services in
memory Of Gen. Grant at his unfin-
irhed monument in the Botanic Garden.
facing the Capitol. Here several noted
G. A. r. orators are to speak, the Marine
Band 10 to furnish a concert. and power
full seArchligts are to be trained on the
Capitol dome and on the famous Bartholdi
fountain, which has been restored especi-
ally for this occasion.
Although the day was crowded with
sightseeing trips for the veterans, many
were conserving energies for the great
welcoming campfire tonight, at which
President Wilson will speak.
Many Here From Distance.
The surprising feature of the incom-
ing crowd was the large number that
came from a distance. Hundreds of the
veterans arriving yesterday and the
day before were from California. Wash
ington. Oregon. Montana and other of
the states west of the Mississippi
Thete are at least 5000 visitors from
Ohio. and II is expected that by tonight
this number will be surpassed both by
New York and Pennsylvania.
There are forty-six departments of
the Grand Army. With four exceptions
each department represents a single
state. Georgia and South Carolina are
Joined together in one department as
are also Louisiana and Mississippi, Cal
ifornia and Wyoming and Washington
and Alaska.
Commander Palmer Gratified.
Il am simply overwhelmed at the re-
ception accorded the boys in blue" said
Col Palmer. The decorations of the
city are simply wonderful. and can
not praise the committee in charge too
much. There is little need to extend
a formal address of welcome to the G.
A. r.. such as i understand Mr.. William
F. Guide is expected to deliver. The
tribute paid to myself and my stan on
arrival at Union station. and through
the city streets. with their beautiful
decorations. and the reception paid us
at the Raleigh are evidence enough to
prove that the people wish US here.
Il cannot give the local citizens
committee half the praise they deserve.
My hat is off to them. With my stan /
am going to the White House this
evening at $50 to pay our respects to
President Wilson. and then we will set
tie down to business. anticipate that
this encampment will be one of the best
In the history of the Grand Army. It is
INFINITE pleasure to me to once more see
the boys with whom / have been asso-
ciated for over nifty years. and who
have done me the honor of selecting me
their commander In chief. Our ranks
have been somewhat depleted. but
thank God. there are a few of US left.
Throng on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Pennsylvania avenue from the Peace
Monument to the White House last
of an Inauguration period. Among
Washingtonians there is a proneness to
compare everything in the way of a
crowd to an Inauguration. Though the
big review is not to take place until toe
morrow, many Of the boys" yesterday
sought to Timber their legs by keeping
time to the fife and drum or the martial
air of a passing band. Arm in arm
they, promenaded the historic thorough
fare and related stories and incidents
of that occasion nifty years ago. when,
as a victorious army, with sabers
clanking and muskets rattling, they
marched on this same street In presi-
Dental review.
Public buildings and business houses
are hag-bedecked for the occasion
Last night powerful searchlights played
upon the dome of the Capitol pre-
senting a picture of inspiration and
patriotism that could be seen for miles
The seal of the. United States govern
ment. in vari-colored electric lights
was placed at the east trent of the
building which signifies the seat OF
government. and the entire western
front was illuminated throughout
Thousands Of the visitors went through
the Capitol yesterday. The doors were
thrown wide open there, as everywhere
1t has been arranged to keep the Capt.
tol open tomorrow night until II
o'clock, . proceeding most unusual ex.