Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-05-22
A. F. WOODWARD
DEPT. COMMANDER
Vermont Veterans of '61 Hold
Their Annual Convention in
City of Rutland

Rutland, May 21.-The blue uniforms of
the days of the Civil War mingled with
world-war khaki on the streets of Rut
land to-day. the veterans of 81 being in
the city for the annual Grand Army
convention, Department of Vermont and
the soldiers of the recent conflict helping
to entertain them in many ways. The
various organizations allied with the
Grand Army also held annual meeting
to-day, the 500 persons present combining
tonight at a public campfire when Mayor
j. j. Dunn extended the welcome of the
city to the visitors and C. T. S. Pierce
of Nergennes. department commander
G. a. r.. responded. Attorney B. L.
Stafford of Rutland spoke on THE Grand
Army in Peace Times and there were
remarks by the Rev. DR.. George f.
Price of this city and others.
Adrian F. Woodward of this city was
elected department commander for the
coming year.
About 200 veterans attended the bust
| ness sessions of the Grand Army. Re-
ports showed that there are IS posts in
the State with membership of 1,4O5,
there having been 1873 removals by death
| in year. Department Commander Pierce
gave his annual address in which he
touched upon the work of the various
| auXiliaries and referred to the world war
| as follows:
| l must not close this address without
| reference to the new defender now re-
| turning from wonderful experience from
over the seas. What they have done
places America in the foremost place in
the galaxy of nations
| When the German pirates sent the
Lusitana to the bottom of the sea, the
wall from drowning women and innocent
children went up to the God of heaven
and from out the handicapped mountain
of pent up forbearance came in thunder
| tones, ito your tents, o Israel"
| There was no North, no South, no
East, no West, but this impossible
| American army, untaught and un-
| trained in more instances than one
| of the honor they were to vindcate
drove the Prussian hordes back in
disorder to the shelter of their guns
and from the success of Chateau
Thierry they have carried the flag to
the pinnacle of honor and success, re-
baptized as the banner of the free
From nearly every home some one
has been called for "over the sea-
and with watchful tenderness the
steps Of the loved one have been fol-
lowed to his landing in the new land
The new and to us untried methods
of warfare have engaged the minds
of the Interested ones here as well
as over there and but meagre atten.
tion has been given to the "old days
| though the acto.'s of those times have
been none the less interested lockers.
on in the varied conflicts; hence oul
field of action has been limited, but
we have lived to see the hoped fol
success of our arms, the Stars anc
Stripes revered by all nations and the
returning host of the conquerors.
Mrs Jessie Sturtevant of ST. AL.
bans, department president, presided
at the meeting of the Womens Re-
lief Corps at which zoo of the $500
members of the State were present
The chair at the sessions of the
Sons of Veterans was occupied by
Charles r. Davenport of South Royal
ton, divisional commander. The at.
tendance was $50. The State depart
ment has 1900 members
over so members were present a.
the sessions of the auxiliary to the
Sons of Veterans. Mrs. Clara E. PER-,
of Barre, department president. hat
charge of the meeting.
The Ladies of the G. A. r. trans
acted their business under the drec
tion of Mrs. Julia Perham of Eas
Braintree. department president
Twentythree members were present