Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-09-20
Veterans Prepare
For Encampment

Des Moines, Iowa, Sept. 19-Smaller
than ever, but still the event OF the
year to thousands of the passing gen.
Grafton VINO watched the war Of the
rebellion come and so, the seth an
nual encampment Of the Grand Army
of the Republic will open in Des
Moines Sunday, September "a. Only
$4,000 veterans of the Grand Army
ere expected to be able to attend this
years encampment.
Nine auxiliary conventions and six
teen separate reunions are expected
to bring total of approximately
$4,000 patriots to Iowa's capital city
during the week Of the cncampment.
Approximately two thousand col
ored veterans are expected here to
hold their first reunion at this years
gathering. Shiloh, Vicllsburg, and
Gettysburg survivors will gather from
all parts of the country to march in
the 56th annual parade and to attend
this years camp fire ceremonies.
The encampment program opens
Sunday with patriotic services in all
Des Moines churches. Civil war vet
Grams will occupy many of the pulpits
and G. A. r. drum corps will furnish
the music.
On Monday the encampment opens
semi officially. Tuesday, is to be Re-
ccption and Reunion Day with gar
den party in the afternoon for all
CT tho Com n nd
in Chiefs reception on the State
House grounds in the evening con-
Guiding with a great patriotic fire.
works demonstration and musical
program by $4,000 Des Moines school
children at night.
The parade and camp fire will take
place Wednesday, veterans of the
Grand Army, led by eight bands and
% drum corps, passing in review be-
fore Communicative Chief Lewis S.
Pitcher. Hanford McNider, COM
mander of the American Legion, will
be the principal speaker at the camp
fire ceremonies Wednesday night.
Thursday and Friday will be occu-
pied with business sessions, election
and installation of officers.
The annual tree planting ceremo-
MES of the Woman's Relief Corps will
be held Monday. September 25; me-
MORALS Of the Daughters of Veterans
Monday: and the initiation of class
of several hundred sons of veterans
by team composed entirely of past
commanders and led by present COM
mander Clifford D. Ireland, congress-
man from Illinois, on Tuesday.
National conventions haye been
scheduled for the Union Prisoners
of War. the National Association of
Civil War Musicians, the National
Association of Naval Veterans, the
Ladies of the G. A. R., w. r. c., Sons
of Veterans Auxiliary and Daughters
of Veterans.
Separate reunions will be held by
the Iron Brigade, Burbidge's Brig
ade, Survivors of Vicksburg, Survi-
vors of Shiloh. Ex-Volunteer Officers
of the Civil War, colored veterans and
eleven different regiments.
The average of veterans who will
attend the encampment this year is
said to be eighty years.
Fifteen thousand automobiles have
Eeen pledged by Des Moines resi-
dents to convey the veterans about
the city. Reception and baggage COM
mittees will meet all trains. Several
hundred boy scouts will be available
to the veterans to run errands. Park
benches will be placed on down town
streets.
Des Moines hospitals have proffered
the loan of their equipment should it
be necessary. and Des Moines physi-
clans are donating their professional
services. One doctor and two boy
scouts will be stationed in each block
along the line of. march of the parade
to act in case of accident or ex-
haustion.
Not an accident to an Old Soldier"
Is the motto which will be worn by