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Iowa in the Civil War |
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Iowa in the Civil War |
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Articles
from the Davenport Times
1900
G.A.R. Encampment
Transcribed by Elaine Rathmann
Wednesday, June 13, 1900
All is Now Ready
G.A.R.
Encampment Will be Large
Much Enthusiasm Shown
Preparations for the Meeting of Old Soldiers Moving Along Nicely
Program Reviewed.
“Tell the people that the preparations for the G.A.R. encampment, which will be held here next week beginning Tuesday are being completed with amazing quickness and thoroughness,” said George Metzger this morning. As Mr. Metzger is the chairman of the committee of arrangements for the encampment he is in a position to know. All the preparations as outlined in the general program are about complete.
Mr. Metzger stated that the committee was making arrangements for rooms for as many people as possible and that he committee would consider it a great favor if the people having suitable rooms would let the committee know their address.
Decorations
“Davenport entertained the G.A.R. encampment 16 years ago and at that time the city did itself proud in the matter of decorations. Afterward for years there was no city that had equaled Davenport in the matter of decorations. The G.A.R. men often mentioned it to me at the encampments,” continued Mr. Metzger. “For that reason I am especially anxious to have the people of the city decorate in the best way that they know how.” The decorations should be flags and colors with designs and pictures of a military order.
Financial
The committee in charge of the financial end of the encampment reports that it is making rapid progress in the matter of the collection of the money that has been subscribed for the encampment. The committee has arranged for the entertainment of the visitors in a royal manner. There will be no debts at the close of the encampment.
The Program.
As officially announced, the first day will include a meeting of the council of administration, a reception by the national commander, Albert d. Shaw, of Watertown, N.Y., a meeting of the credentials committee and the reunion of the Hornet’s Nest Brigade.
The second day, Wednesday, June 13, will include a meeting at the Turner Grand Opera House at 9 o’clock where the mayor will welcome the guests, the commander will give his annual address, and committees will report. At 2 o’clock in the afternoon will occur the parade.
The Line of March.
Colonel P.W. McManus is in charge of the parade arrangements. He has asked a number of representatives from each of the organizations that will take part to have an officer on his staff for the day. These names will be made public after the invitations have been issued. The line of march has been given out by colonel McManus as follows.
The parade will form on Brady street with right resting on neighboring streets and will pass down Brady to Second, west on Second to Warren, north on Warren on Third, east on Third to Scott street, north on Scott to Fourth street, and thence along the city hall, where the reviewing stand will be erected. The governor and his staff, with the national and state commanders will review the parade.
On the same day, after the parade, officers for the ensuing year will be elected, the place for the next encampment will be named. In the evening there will be a camp fire at Schuetzen park.
On the last day there will be miscellaneous business transacted, the city fire department will give an exhibition drill and a river excursion has been arranged. There will be a camp fire at the opera house at night.
Wednesday
Morning
June 13, 1900
Down
To Business
Twenty-sixth Annual Encampment of the Iowa Grand Army in Session.
Opening Ceremonies
City Attorney Thuenen Does Honors for Town.
Summary of Proceedings.
Department Commander Bailey in Annual Address Discusses Matters of Interest.
The twenty-sixth annual
encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, of the department of Iowa, was
formally opened this morning at 9 o’clock, at the Turner Grand opera house. At
8:30 in the morning the delegate met at the headquarters at the Kimball house
and marched to the Turner hall, headed by Strasser’s band. At the opera house
precedence was given to the delegates and they were allowed to file in and take
their seats before the others. Then a few visitors were allowed to pass in. The
session was called to order by George Metzger, chairman of the social committee,
and he introduced City Attorney Henry Thuenen, who made the address of welcome,
speaking in part as follows:
Address of Welcome.
“Mr. Chairman, Members of the G. A. R. of the Department of Iowa: It is true that the mayor is unavoidable prevented from being here on account of business, and those who have seen him know that I could not fill his shoes nor his place. The city welcomes you because of what you have done. ‘By their deeds you shall know them.’ it is written, and certainly we know what the soldiers of the civil war For that reason we welcome you. There were times in the past when father fought against son, brother against brother, and it was for such a purpose that the president of the United States called for 150,000 volunteers. At that time an illustration of patriotism was given which the world cannot equal anywhere else.
“At that time we were not at war with foreign nations. No foe had assailed our border. There was a war with self. One part of the country opposed another. As there is no duty of a father so difficult to fulfill as that which requires him to punish a child, so there was no task so ardent to perform as that of fighting people of your own country. They were the bravest of foes that man ever fought but you carried the flag on to victory. Those who should have supported you, opposed. The task was difficult, when such deserted you. But to the soldier who stood for the Union let us give all honor. You have given to the world an object lesson, for you have proved that you are kind, gentle and forgiving as a woman, while at the same time having the courage of a lion.
“But now the North and the South are linked together as one. Only recently we have had an illustration of how the animosities of the ‘60s have passed away forever.
“You have taken cities by
siege while in the service, you have taken them quickly by assault, but we
surrender to you without the firing of a gun. I was about to say that we
presented the keys of the city to you. But we have no keys. They were lost long
ago, and since that time the gates of Davenport have stood ajar to welcome you
all who come. Therefore, to you today we extend the heartiest of greeting and
bid you thrice welcome.”
Response.
T. D. McCurdy of Hazelton, was introduced to make the response an did so in a very entertaining address. Among other things, he said:
“Mr. Attorney, comrades, and
friends: Permit me to return thanks to you for the good will that you have shown
not only to us, but also to the shadowy presence of those who have gone before.
We recall the immensity of the war of the rebellion, the massive army mustered
into service and the 2, 685 battles which were fought. That army that has
followed the flag that has never known defeat has left thousands upon thousands
on the battlefields and large business enterprises and its pleasing memories. We
are indeed glad to be here. The pleasure of this gathering can only be marred by
the sadness engendered by the view of the aged faces of those who are here as
delegates, for they remind us that these gatherings cannot be carried on much
longer. We accept the hospitality of this city with pleasure. We rejoice to be
here. May the success and the future of Davenport be as bright as a morning sun
in a cloudless sky.”
(Continued…)
Wednesday
Morning
June 13, 1900
(Continued)
Chaplain’s Invocation.
Commander Bailey then took charge of the meeting and stated that as in the days of old on the battlefield they were accustomed to follow the leaders. Therefore he would ask Chaplain W. W. Gist, of Osage, to lead in prayer. The delegates arose and Chaplain Gist prayed for the guidance of the meeting.
“O Lord, our Heavenly Father
in Heaven at all times, in all places and under all circumstances we would
acknowledge you as our guide. We return unto thee our thanks, our gratitude for
the mercy that thou hast bestowed on us. We pray thee to bless the comrades over
all the state. Some of them are not here, some are unable to be present on
account of ill health and some of them are too poor to be here. Bless those in
authority. We pray for the soldier boys in distant islands. Make them strong to
resist and overcome temptation. Bless us and guide us through life and may we
all join in that great reunion which will take place above.
Executive Session.
Following the prayer, the encampment went into secret session during which various reports were presented, the annual address of the department given and the working committees appointed.
Department Commander’s Address.
C. F. Bailey, the department commander thus addressed his assembled comrades:
To the members of the
Twenty-sixth Annual Encampment, Department of Iowa, Grand Army of the
Republic.—Comrades: The Twenty-fifth annual encampment having selected and
elected me to the very honorable and responsible position of commander, I feel
it fitting and proper that I should at this time sincerely thank the members of
the G. A. R. for this expression of their confidence in me. I feel that there is
no other organization in this great commonwealth of ours that
that can confer greater honor upon one of it’s members than can be
conferred by this encampment by electing one of its’ comrades to the very high
position of department commander. It has always given me great pleasure to meet
with the comrades and participate in their campfires and I shall ever hold a
pleasant remembrance on account of the expressions of good feeling which I have
received from the comrades at all times. It has been the greatest desire of my
heart to do all that I could to make the lives of the “boys” happier by my
presence among them.
Universal Harmony.
When I took charge of the office to which I was elected, I found universal harmony and good order prevailing among the members of the different posts of the state: thus showing conclusively that those having charge of the work before me had done their work faithfully. I, therefore, felt it my duty to try to maintain if possible, this same harmonious spirit that I might, at the close of my term, transfer the trust to my successor with the assurance that this same good feeling should still permeate the entire department. In the work of keeping up the same good feeling, I feel that I have succeeded very well.
The differences that have arisen
that called for a decision from myself have been so few that they are hardly
worthy of mention. You will see by the Judge Advocate’s report that but very
little business has been transacted in that line. There have been a few cases in
which different comrades have disagreed in their several posts, but being aided
by my able assistant adjutant general, we at all times have been able to bring
about peace and harmony, so that during the year there has been no post
disbanded where there have been enough members to constitute a quorum.
Soldiers in Good Condition.
In traveling over the state. I have been much pleased to find the old soldier in good condition generally, so far as finance and citizenship. Neither have they been forgotten by the citizens of the state, many of them holding positions of honor in the different counties as well as in the state.
I find that the teachings of the
different organizations, auxiliary to the G. A. R. have a great strengthening
power in the way of advancing and building up the character of the young an the
development of noble manhood. I have also been pleased to note that in general,
there is a good feeling prevalent among our kindred organizations. All have been
doing a grand work in looking after, and administering to the wants of the boys
of ’61-’65, as also to those of the late Spanish-American soldiers.
(Continued…)
Wednesday
Morning
June 13, 1900
(Continued)
Question of Precedence
But, though there has been general harmony, yet some dissatisfaction has arisen between the Woman’s Relief Corps and the Ladies of the G. A. R. in regard to which should have precedence at their various gatherings. Here should be no preference, but both organizations should go together at such times, if for no other purpose than to carry out the principles of fraternity, charity and loyalty. I hope that such will be the case in the future.
The W. R. C., through its efficient department president has shown itself to be, in reality, the auxiliary to the G. A. R., so far as carrying forward the charitable and social duties of the organization; also in looking after the wants and furnishing the material needed to make it pleasant for the comrades in the soldiers’ home at Marshalltown.
We feel under great obligations to the press of the state for the kindness and courtesies which they extended.
We are very grateful to the
various railroads of the state for the generous treatment received at their
hands.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day has been universally observed throughout the department with an increased interest. Through these solemn services the youth of our land are being taught lessons of patriotism and loyalty that they will never forget.
I would still emphasize the recommendation of past department commanders that all posts and comrades use their influence to interest our schools in the observance of Memorial day, and that the children be urged to take part in the different exercises.
The death roll of the past year
teaches us that our organization is fast diminishing in numbers, and that the
few remaining years of our existence should be improved in trying more earnestly
to advance the idea of patriotism among the your, so that when our grand
organization shall have passed into history, we shall be remembered on account
of the lessons taught by us.
Sons of Veterans
In remembering the Sons of Veterans they having inherited from, the G. A. R. the principles of fraternity, charity and loyalty, let us notice how many of their number took part in the late Spanish-American war. About 47 per cent of the soldiers of the late war were Sons of Veterans.
Your department commander was
greatly pleased with the goodly number in attendance at the 33rd
national encampment at Philadelphia, also the large number in line of march in
the parade, and the perfect order
that was maintained during the march, these good qualities calling forth great
applause from the many thousands of people along the line. The fine appearance
of the Iowa Department was especially commented upon by the other departments as
well as by the citizens and visitors.
As To Pensions.
It seems unnecessary to say anything more than has been said in regard to our pension laws. I notice I the report of the commander preceding me that he states that no government on earth has passed more liberal pension laws than has ours. But I somewhat disagree with him in regard to their liberality. It seems to me that if the boys of ’61-’65 examined as they were by physicians and pronounced able-bodied in every respect before enlistment, that there is something wrong in the present as has been in the past, which causes the claims of some of the most worthy to be rejected because they cannot furnish sufficient affidavit to prove that their disabilities were received during their time of service. Dr. R. Luces, Past Chaplain-in-Chief, G. A. R., has written a poem entitled “Rejected.” He says, “In the report of the commissioner of pensions for the year we find 107,910 claims have been returned with the word “Rejected.” When I think of all the sorrow, disappointment and want that this brings upon 100,000 of my comrades and their families, my very soul was stirred within me.”
I wish to say that my recommendation would be that this department encampment pass suitable resolutions, requesting, if not demanding that the pension laws be made so, if they are not at the present time, that it will not be necessary for the old soldier to be deprived of his pension because he cannot furnish a sufficient hospital record and an extra proof of his having been an able-bodied man at the time of peril and gave the best of his life for her service: No! Money will not pay for their lives.
It seems that our state could scarcely do more than it is doing for us, unless the legislature should, as a body, join with us, the G. A. R., in passing resolutions giving our Representatives in congress, and those in the pension department to understand that we demand that the pension laws be so adjusted that the boys of ’61-’65 will get that which actually belongs to them.
Wednesday
Morning
June 13, 1900
(Continued)
Soldiers’ Home.
We feel proud of what had been done for us by the State appropriation in various ways; the legislature granting the boys in the Home at Marshalltown their full pension, instead of taking part of it from them. In visiting the Home I was glad to learn that there was not the least grumbling or dissatisfaction on account of the management of the Home; the Board of Control having granted all of our requests as requested by the committee appointed to inspect and report in regard to the management of the same.
We believe that those in control
should be retained as long as they do their duty as well as they have in the
past. As the committee appointed will report in regard to the institution, it
will not be necessary for me to go into details.
Conclusion.
At the close of this encampment my official relations will cease. While I feel glad to be relieved from duty, I can only say I assure you that there will be a felling of loneliness when I realize that our general meetings will be, to a certain extent, limited to yearly gatherings.
In thinking over the past year and summing up what has been done and the success of the administration, I can only say that I shall always feel under lasting obligations to the Comrades and especially those who have been closely connected with me in carrying out the order of the administration.
Especially do I feel grateful to my able assistant Adjutant General L. M. Black, for the faithful performance of his duties and being always at his post. He never failed to meet the full requirements of his responsible position.
In conclusion, I heartily thank
each and every Comrade in this department and especially my staff to whom is
largely due the credit for the present satisfactory condition of the
organization.
Assistant Adjutant’s Report.
There were 518 posts reported by the adjutant to the encampment at the business meeting held today. C. F. Bailey the commander of the Twenty-sixth Annual encampment of the G. A. R. department of Iowa presided. He is from Ireton, as is also L. M. Block, the assistant adjutant general, who submitted a report of which the following is a summary:
Members in good standing, 15, 171; Total gain since last encampment, 533: total membership, 15, 704.
During the year 136 succumbed to
the inevitable, while by honorable discharge 22, by transfer 87, by suspension
357, and by delinquent reports 150, a total of 751 were lost to the encampment,
thus leaving 14, 953 members in the encampment today with 439 posts still
remaining in good standing. However, as noticed above 518 posts were
represented, or were supposed to be represented at the encampment.
Department Finances.
The assistant adjutant general reported a balance from the Twenty-fifth encampment of $2, 177.91, which together with other resources swells the budget to $6,122.86. The total disbursements were $5,287.78, leaving a balance of $835.08. This is considered to be quite a flattering report.
The losses by death, as reported from May 17, 1889 to May 17, 1900 amounted to 273.
The number of deaths reported by the different posts for the past fourteen years is 3, 299, or an annual average of 235. The smallest number reported was in 1887, when it was 122, and the greatest in 1897, when it was 299.
During the year ending Dec. 31, 1899, one new post was duly mustered in by Comrade J. E. Winder, chief mustering officer of the department, on July 10, 1899 to be known as the Henry C. Leighton Post NO. 199 of New Sharon, Ia. The same is a re-organization.
Wednesday
Morning
June 13, 1900
(Continued)
To National Encampment.
The assistant adjutant general reports that based upon the membership reported Dec. 31, 1899, the department is entitled to twenty-one delegates to the Thirty-fourth National Encampment, which will be held at Chicago on August 27 to Sept. 1, 1900.
The headquarters for the department during the Thirty-fourth National Encampment will be held on the second floor in the Tremont hotel on Lake and Dearborn streets.
George Metzger’s Report.
George Metzger of August Wentz Post No. 1, who is a member of the council of administration reported as follows:
To the Department commander and comrades of the Twenty-sixth Annual Encampment, Department of Iowa, G. A. R.
We, the undersigned committee, appointed by the department commander to audit the books and accounts of L. M. Black, assistant adjutant general, and John Shanley, assistant quartermaster general, beg to report that we have carefully examined the books, vouchers, receipts, etc. and find on hand, $835. 08, with everything paid to this date, June 5, 1900. That while the expense accounts show that it cost more this year than the preceding year, which is accounted for by the long distance to the national encampment last year, the shortage of supplies at department headquarters at the commencement of the year and other items that could not be dispensed with.
We find that the office expenses have diminished and that we congratulate Adjutant General Black for his accuracy, honesty, promptness and the neat appearance of his clerical work.
Also to congratulate John Shanley for the accuracy and business-like manner in which he has conducted the business of his office.
Dated Des Moines, Iowa, June 5,
1900.
P.
H. Lenon,
George Metzger,
M. H. Byers,
Committee.
Sons
of Veterans Convene.
Interesting Reports noting Growth of the Auxiliary.
At 9 o’clock today the opening
of the encampment of the Iowa Division of the sons of Veterans took place at the
Grand Army hall. The session was continued after the parade this afternoon and
during this afternoon and during that session the election of officers for the
ensuing year was scheduled to take place.
Nearly One Hundred Members..
At the Downs hotel are the headquarters of the organization. The order, according to Will A. Brown of Marshalltown, the commander of the Iowa Division, was found by him upon his election at Waterloo, Ia., June 13, 14 and 15, 1899 on June 15. He made an examination and based his report upon 449 members in good standing, however, and at that time the organization was $20 in debt and had no money. Now all but $5 has been liquidated. He noticed that five camps had been mustered into the S. of V. order at Peoria, Mac Gregor, Keota, Prairie City and a state camp-at-large with 306 members altogether, thus making a membership of 757. Since these five camps had been mustered, another 184 members reported, thus making a total of 941 in good standing.
The commander makes three recommendations as follows:
First—That the per capita tax be raised form 15 to 20 cents per quarter, or 20 cents more per year.
Second—That the muster fee for new camps be $3.
Third—That arrangements be made for thorough keeping of accounts, and a systematic book-keeping in the order.
Wednesday
Morning
June 13, 1900
(Continued)
Adjutant General’s Report
H. C. Lounsberry, of Marshalltown, the adjutant and mustering officer reported 15 camps mustered in this past year with 308 members. For the past four years he submits the following table:
