Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-17

ed Chaplain Frank Pendleton, Frank Beckwith. Assistant ASijutant William Adjutant George Kampf, Mayor Allyn L.. Brown. Department Commander Henry J Seeley, Prof. w. A. Towne of New London, Commander Orrin M. Price and Postmaster Rev Joseph H. Selden. The comrades were seated at one table, with Gen. W. A. Aiken, Mrs Bela P Learned. Mrs. Josephine Hiscox, president of the Wonan's Re- and Mrs. Emily Irish, past command 4. ing president, at the head. The mem bers of the common couMcil. the Citi- zens' corps and the Sons of Veterans were seated at the other table. After the invocation by the cha plain, all sat down to a most appetizing menu which follows:
 Esca1loped Oysters.
 Cold. Meats. Potato Chips.
 Rolls. Coffee.
 Cake Fruit
 Cigars.
 Following the supper, the tables were removed and the program was carried out.
 RecoIIections of War Times.
 Commander Price in a few well chosen words introduced the toast master, Rev. Joseph H. SeIden, whose father was al one time commander of Sedgwick post Rev MT. SeIden told of his early recoflections of the begin stirred with the news of the firing on Fort Sumter. He told how the city responded to the call of that great and noble president, Abraham Lincoln for volunteers; how the men went into camp at the fair grounds. and how the troops left by boat from Central wharf, with flags flying and the bands playing Then the tense waiting for news from the front, the sad, sweet looks Of the mothers whose sons were somewhere in the south, fighting for Old Glory and the liberty of this country which Vt all hold dear. Then the news of the victory and the homecoming of the boys in blue. He told of his father who did not return with the troops but was confined in a New Orleans hospital, and how anxiously he and his mother awaited news from the south and finally the joyful home-com of his parent He spoke of the present crisis which faces this country today and said that the country would re- spond with the same awakening of patriotism that it did in '61 ani that the fires of liberty would burn as brightly
 Rev. Mir. Selden then introduced Ad Iutant George kampf who delivered a brief historical sketch of the post Adjutant Kampf said in part:
 Fifty Years of History. VI AliA45 lAiCSc pdS0S II Is not the intention to review the history of the G. A. R. at large, of it's splendid or- gan1zation, or of it's patriotic work performed by it's thousands of posts in all parts of this land. but it is only short sketch of this local post.
 Capt. Stevenson of Gen. Sherrnan's army conceived the idea of forming an association of Union veterans who survived the war. This idea took root at once, and G. A. R. posts sprang up like magic in all parts of the country. The three cardinal pripcipIes-frater- every soldier.
 The fifty years of life of this post will compare favorably with any other post in the performance of it's pro- fessed principles.
 Organized Feb. f5, 1867.
 This short summary of the most noted incidents are largely personal reeollections of long membership. 1867, in Ripley Hall Market. street John B. Ward was its first comman- der. Owing to lack of system at that early period. no authentic records are found. until the month of May following. Since then the records are compiled up to date.
 The No. 1 of this post is due no doubt, to General Harland, the first honor the soldiers of his native town with that number. This decision on his part caused some friction at that time between us and Post. No. ?. at Hartford, who claimed this honor
 The early life of this organization had it's up and downs. find in turif- Ing its pages of records a lack of in- terest. The adjutant reports nos meet again, following it with calls for re- lief for the widows and orphans. It l would require much research to give an approximate estimate of the amount of relief given to the needy in the first or second decades of our his- tory- The calls were so frequent and I pressing that committee was au- thorized to raise fund for relief. The l met with success. The amount raised | was $1304, and it is with pleasure | say that the only living member of | that committee Is present here to- | night. He headed that list of sixty | four subscribers with 50 dollars. If | this occasion were appropriate it | would be a pleasure to give in public |
 The hall in Richards building was occupied a long term of years
 Means how best to raise funds was | the most important matter for discue- | balls were arranged for and carried | out with more or less financial sue. | cess. all working in harmonious com- | to loyal support of OUT town | people we could depend upon.
 To Chapman Block.
 Early in the eighties we changed | our quarters to the Chapman block. | The comrades took hold and worked | nights to put the ball in . habitable | condition In this place the post | it's maximum membership. | 354 in good standing Siuce then this number has constantly die E nfnished. The present membership is E s1.
 Tn this haH Post No 1 reached its E greatest efT7ciency in organization and | In all details and floor work under | able and efficient officers