Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 September 1889 — Page 6

OLD SOLDIERS IN CAMP.

” KE UNION OF THE VETERANS AT MILWAUKEE. The Annual Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic Attended by Thousands of the Country’s Defenders— Eighteen Thousand in the Great Parade —Gen. Alger Elected Commander. It was 10 o’clock Monday morning when the special train carrying Com mander-in-Chief Warner and staff pulled into the union depot. There were thousands there to greet him, both citziens and visitors from afar. The marcn, with the Blair post of St. Louis in the lead, with a drum corps and band, was made to the Plankinton house, where the commander has his quarters. He was ac-

COMMANDEB-IN-CHIEF BUSSELL A. ALGER.

companied by hit. staff, as follows: JudgeAdvocate Gener-.l J. B. Johnson, Assistant Adjutant General E. G. Granville, Aids-de-Camp Brant, Rogers, Eraland, Smith, Axtell, Kidwell, Greenain, Yeaton, Gaston, and Jenks. A. J. McCoy, past commander department of Wisconsin, and several others from St Louis and Chicago posts were in the party.

Gen. Sherman arrived in the m idst of a blare of trumpets and the beating of drums. His welcome was a cordial one, and the grizzled old warrior got a reception whicn made his heart glad. With his innate modesty he had sought to get into the city unobserved at an unseemly hour in the night, but his “bummers” captured him an carried him off. “Uncle Billy” was surprised for once, and the veterans enjoyed his discomfiture. It was not long, however, before the entente cordiale was established and the old hero submitted to the blandishments of those who had marched to the sea with him. A shower of bouquets covered Gen. Sherman as he alighted from his carriage at the Plankinton house, and one of them the General gracefully presented to the daughter of Major Warner, the commander-in-chief. Ransom post of St. Louis, to which Gen. Sherman belonged, had an ovation during the evening. A unique feature of Monday’s exercises was the presentation of a flag by Hassendeubel post of St. Louis to Joseph Ledergerber post of Shawano county, Wisconsin. The latter post is composed entirely of Menominee Indians. Uol. F. T. Ledergerber, brother of the soldier for whom the post was named, marched to the depot with a detachment of Hassendeubel post to meet Ledergerber post and escort it to the South Side Turner hall, the headquarters of the Hessendeubel. There was geuuine pathos in the parade of the Grand Army of the Republic Tuesday. In that long line which swept down the broad thoroughfare—so appropriately called Grand ayenue—there were presented many pictures which recalled the most stirring days in the history of this great republic. The parade was smaller than it was at either St. Louis or Columbus, and the crowds that watched it pass were larger. There were in the parade about eighteen thousand men; but along the line of march were almost as many more men who wore the Grand Army button, but who did not feel equal to the task of trudging two miles and a half under the broiling hot sun. And in the procession were men who had no more business to be there than they had to be swimming in Lake Michigan in March or playing leap-frog. It all who took part in the parade had been compelled to secure a permit from a conscientious physician before they started there wouldn’t have? been 5,000 then in line. But they were soldiers—gamey old boys—and the same grit that made them cover twenty-five miles on a forced march a quarter of a century..ago made them turn out -o stay the route through. And those who start-

ed, for the most part, were in et the finish. All in all it was a grand parade and the lessons that it taught were manifest. The tattered battle Hags, the empty sleeves, the martial airs played by the bands, and withal the sturdy manhood represented—all taught their lesson of patriotism. Tuesday morning the cities and towns of the State seemed to have emptied their populations into Milwaukee. Before 10 o’clock 2,000 people from Waukesha alone had arrived, and it is not an exaggeration to say that by noon fully 50, GOO Wisconsin citizens were in town. There was a little disorder in finding quarters, but most of the arrivals managed to get into place in time to move with the column. On every vacant spot in tlie streets post commanders could be seen drilling their little squads of men.

It was 10:1.5 o’clock when the head of the column started from Camp Badger, and it was hilf an hour later when it reached the reviewing stand between Eleventh and Twelfth streets. First came the LightHorse squadron to clear the s reet, the troopers all dressed in full uniform and well mounted, Capt. C. P. Huntington in command. Next came the escort to Com-mander-in-Chief Warner. At the head marched Frank P. Blair Post of St. Louis, ?.21 strong, with platoon fronts, as finely dressed as regulars and all in uniform. Behind the post came the commander-in-chief, mounted upon a gray charger and receiving generous applause from the crowds that were closely packed around the reviewing stand. Major Warner was attended by his numerous staff, all in uniform and richly mounted, and followed by carriages containing distinguished guests. In the rear seat of the first carriage sat Gen. W. T. Sherman and Gen. John C. Robinson of New York, while facing them were Secretary Rusk and Gov. Hoard. As the familiar features of the greatest living general of the world were seen cheer after cheer went up. A halt was made at the grand stand, the commander-in-chief dismounted and took his position, being vociferously cheered as he did so; the carriages were turned, and, assisted by Col. Charles King, Gen. Sherman alighted and made his way to the stand, followed by the other occupants of the carriage. The column resumed the march as soon as Commander-in-Chiet Warner and Gen. Sherman were in their positions Hassendeubel post, of St. Louis, 140 strong, and Ransom post, of St. Louis, (the post of which Gen. Sherman is a member) 100 strong—the remain-

THE VETERANS IN CAMP.

ing post of the escort of the commander-in-chief—marched past with the precision and bearing of well-drilled troops. After the Missouri boys came the men from Illinois, who were really at the head of the procession proper, Major Warner having put the Missouri contingent under the head of “escort to the commander-in-chief.” The Illinois division was the largest in line, Wisconsin excepted. The men in ranks were howling themselves hoarse as they recognized Mrs. Gen. Logan seated on one of the upper tiers of the stand. Not half of the 650 veterans from Illinois had passed. The reviewing officers, recognizing the honors due and so spontaneously paid her, called Mrs. Logan to a seat at their side. Then the applause from the spectators was deafening. Handkerchiefs and hats went into the air, and from the long terraces of both sides of the avenue there was a monster salute. From that moment for three hours the favorite of the Grand Army boys was k6pt busy waving her handkerchief in response to round after round of cheers from the passing army. Her costume of black sent a peculiar thrill through the column of white-haired marchers, and hats were doffed with a marked air of reverence and many a sturdy fellow showed emotion. It is no disrespect to say that momentarily “the boys” neglected to pay full homage to the commander-in-chief, it being unwritten law that he alone is to be honored when the review takes place. Major Warner, however, did not take any slight. On the contrary, he encouraged the attention to his distinguished companion. Next came the department of Pennsylvania led by an armed platoon of fourteen files front, keeping an almost perfect alignment, and followed by a miniature battery of two steel fieldpieces manned by small boys. The only posts of this department were from Pittsburg and Allegheny City and numbered about two hundred. They carried guidons with corps badges, and several of the torn and tattered battle flags of the Keystone State volunteer regiments appeared in the ranks. Ohio followed with a fine turnout, and then came New York, which made up in style what it lacked in numbers. Corporal Tanner rode in a carriage in the New York section of the parade, and he wore a lawn tennis coat and a straw hat. Connecticut had the honor of having at her head a man whose fine soldierly bearing was remarked by every one, and he was frequently cheered along the line of inarch. His name was Col. Pierrpont. His left leg was missing below the knee, and from his left arm, in which he held

• the bridle reins, dangled a pair of crutches. The horse he rede was a mettlesome beast, but he maintained such a steady seat in the saddle and such an admirable poise of his head that he was an ideal soldier. Virginia’s gallant little handful of men were cheered. California at racted attention with a large red flag, on which was worked in gold the figure of a bear. lowa bad a large contingent in line, but not what was expected. The post to make the largest showing in this division was that from Lime Springs. Michigan made a good show, with about two hundred and fifty men in line and Gen. Alger made something of a hit by tramping along with “the boys.” Minnesota did well and had about two hundred men in line, while her young sister, Dakota, appeared with a fine contingent The gallant little squads from Louisiana,

GENERAL SHERMAN.

Mississippi, Florida and Georgia were warmly cheered. The Wisconsin division was the finest portion, of the parade, there being fully nine thousand men in line. Commander Weissert road at the head, followed by his staff. There were at least seven thousand men in the division. C. C. Washburn post, of Madison, the oldest one in the country, 150 strong, headed by Past Commander-iu-Chief Fairchild was first in line. The eighth division consisted of stragglers and belated detachments, and the procession finished with the division of Sons of Veterans. It was in all respects a fine parade, and it took two hours and a half for it to pass the reviewing stand, the men marching in close order and eight abreast for the most part. There was a noticeable absence of the frolicking, so prominent during former parades, and there was a certain grimness about the way the men marched that betokened many felt it was their last parede. When the last man in the parade had passed a crowd surrounded Gen. Sherman and wanted to shake hands with him. “Get out,” said the veteran bluntly. “This is no place to shake hands. Come down to the hotel. Umph! I’ll hire a man to shake hands for me.” Then he jammed his hands down into his pockets and' smoked till the air was blue. A reception to Mrs. Logan at the court house Tuesday night was attended by posts, battalions and squads of veterans and by citizens of the Sucker State generally who are in Milwaukee. It was an ovation without preparation, and the number of persons who shook hands with her was astonishing. The national officers came in for a good share of attention during the evening. Major Warner was presented with an elegant commander’s badge studded with diamonds and the senior vice-commander received a gold watch. It was a season of good will and favors down the line, the other officers being the recipients of testimonials. The National Encampment proper, cr convention of delegates of the Grand Army of the Republic, was called to order at 10:15 o’clock Wednesday in the West Side Turner Hall. The sessions were secret and none but delegates were admitted. Nearly the whole time of the morning session was taken up with the reading of the annual report of Comman-der-in-chief Warner. Reports were also made from the other officers and all were accepted. At the afternoon session Boston was selected as the place for holding the next encampment. A large number of resolutions were submitted and referred to the Committee on Resolutions and a few of them were read. The sensation was sprung by General Lucius Fairchild, and the fact that he introduced the resolution which he did was what caused the. sensation. He offered a resolution asking that Congress appropriate money enough to erect monuments at Gettysburg over the “graves of the brave men against whom the Union soldiers fought, and urged that such action be taken as soon as possible. The resolution was greeted with applause and was referred to the committee along with the others. At the evening session Russell A. Alger was elected Commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. The meeting was a secret one, and it lasted from 8:30 o’clock until nearly midnight. Gen. Alger was put in nomination by Postmaster Sexton, of Chicago. Fully twenty speeches were made by men who favored the man who was disappointed at Chicago last year. They came from all sections of the country, among them being Gen. Hurst, of Ohio; T. A. Bean, of Pennsylvania; Gen. Ginty, of Wisconsin; and Corporal Tanner, of New York. Gen. Veazey, of Vermont, was placed in nomination, and so was Consigny, of lowa. More speeches were made for Gen. Alger, and it soon became apparent that the Michigan man had a walk-away. Gen. Veazey then withdrew, as did Consigny. Gen. Alger was then elected by acclamation. He was brought into the hall and received with rousing cheers. He spoke; so did Corporal Tanner. E. G. Weissert, Commander of the Wisconsin Department, was elected Senior Vice Commander by acclamation, no other candidates appearing. John F. Lovett of New Jersey was elected Junior Vice Commander, after an exciting contest with J ames E. Tainter of Connecticut. In France they have applied electricity to the playing or organs. ! > '

PLAYED AT WARFARE.

THE NAVAL BATTLE AT THE E3TCAMPMENT. Dense Clouds of Smoke Quickly Veil the Batteries and the Realistic Darkness of Actual Warfare Hides the View Commissioner Tanner’s Policy Discusssed. At Milwaukee, more than 150,000 people sat in the biggest amphitheater in the world Thursday night and saw a fine display of fireworks. The occasion was the great naval battle which had been so extensively advertised. As a representation of a naval engagement it was rather weak, but as a fire-works exhibition it was first-class. In arranging for the battle the managers forgot one very important factor and that was the traditional “smoke of battle. ” It was a still, sultry night, and after the first big guns of the shore batteries had been going five minutes the immense crowd was enveloped in smoke, while a dense cloud hung over the bay. After that it was like looking at a fourth of July fireworks exhibition through smoked glass. But the big guns boomed, the musketry rattled, and the fireworks fizzed until all the ammunition was exhausted. The beginning of the battle was a brilliant spectacle. Red lights burned for two miles down the shores of the bay and illuminated everything fcr a long distance out mto the lake. The water was calm and on its placid bosom were several hundred crafts of all sizes and designs. AU were illuminated by red fire, and all at a signal discharged rockets. Then the shore batteries opened fire and the flashing of the cannon, their dull roar, and the blazing rockets were impressive and inspiring. But it only lasted a

IN THE CRADLE OF THE MICHIGAN.

few minutes. Then the big cloud of smoke smothered the enthusiasm and shut off the view. No one knew where the vessels were or what they were doing. The burning of the big three-masted vessel was not an impressive spectacle. It was anchored so far out that it looked about the size of a beer keg. The blowing up of the other vessel was also a dreary fizzle. It was anchored off Grand Haven and when it blew up there was only a splutter, a tiny cloud of smoke, and a report like the crackle in a telephone. The crowd, however, was a grand one, and a larger one has probably never before been seated in the West. It was a very orderly multitude and no casualties are reported. On the United States ship Fessmden a premature discharge of one of the cannons injured two men. Chhrles Mattescheck and John Schultz, sailors, were wounded about the body and head. Both are at the Emergency hospital, and Schultz may not recover. Two gunners on the mortar boats were also injured by the explosion of a mortar. Their wounds' are in the legs and they will recover. They were also taken to the Emergency hospital. A little row was caused in the encampment proceedings over the proposition to indorse the “Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic.” The opposition declared that the Grand Army watts no more auxiliary organizations and said the “Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic” ought to join the Woman’s Relief corps if they want to help the old soldiers and the order. Finally the resolution was amended to read: “Bid the Woman’s Relief corps godspeed in its work.” The project to indorse the administration of the pension bureau by Corporal Tanner povoked the next fight, and for a long time the encampment wrangled over wording of the resolution. Mr. Perkins of Kansas introduced a resolution heartily thanking the administration of President Harrison for the honor it had conferred on the Grand Army in appointing Corporal Tanner as pension commissioner, and heartily indorsing his conduct of the bureau, because it was erected for the benefit of the soldiers and sail ors of the late war, and denouncing the “bitter and malignant” criticism of the press upon his official conduct. Gen. Barnum of New York offered a substitute to the effect that notwithstanding the assaults of an unfriendly press the encampment declared its belief in the integrity of Tanner and its approval of his efforts to do all for the soldiers and sailors that the law will allow. At the afternoon session Barnum’s substitute was redrafted to read as follows: “That we thank President Harrison for the appointment of our comrade, James. Tanner, as commissioner of pensions, and that, notwithstanding the assault made on him, we declare our complete confidence in his integrity and our approval of his endeavors to do all that can be done under the laws for the veterans of the war; and, in c nnection with him, we ask a full investigation of his administration of the affairs of the pension bureau. ’ ’ It was adopted under suspension of the rules unanimously amid great cheering. The next important measure brought up was in relation to the pension of widows. A resolution was introduced declaring that the pension law should be so changed that the widows of Union soldiers might marry again end not forfeit their pensions. The resolution was cheered by a portion of the assemblage only. Thomas of Illinois was opposed to it and Corporal Tanner warmly supported the bill. A heated debate ensued between Tanner and Thomas of Illinois, and Thomas used ’very strong language against the corporal. A vote was finally taken and the resolution was laid on the table by a big majority. This was in accordance with the recommendation of the committee on resolutions. The desertion clause was discussed at length, but no action was taken. ——A

THE NATIONAL GAME.

GOSSIP ABOUT BASE-BALD CLUBSAND PDAYERS. Boiton Still Leading in the Race for theLeague Pennant—Chicago Takes Fourth Place What the Other Teams Are Doing. [CHICAGO COBBESPONDENCE.] The Chicago club is now on its third and last Eastern tour, and will not be seen on the home grounds for nearly three ■weeks. The games of the past week between the league teams have partiaUy remolded the percentage column. The Bostons have pushed themselves back into the lead again and are comparatively safe for some time to come. The lubberly game they played on their Western trip has been braced up into good champion base-ball. Their batteries are in good shape again and the whole team is hitting the ball with something like its old vigor. The New Yorks have taken a great tumble and their great work of the previous week has degenerated into sluggish town ball. They took something like a bracer against the Phillies, but the Boston games set them back so far that any of their present designs on first place are entirely unwarranted. The Phillies are still in third place, but are being dangerously pressed by the Chicagos. Anson and the colts have not been idle, but have chased themselves up beyond the Clevelands aud into fourth place. The “old man’s" boast that his clup was out for the pennant seems by no means so ridiculous as when it was first made. Fourth place is practically assured him, and the Quakers are but two games in the lead for the third. The trip East places the team under a temporary disadvantage, but this will be more than counterbalanced by the long series on the home grounds at the end of the season. The “Babies” are still slipping down the list in spite of occasional good ball playing, and none of the twigs they hang to seem sufficient to hold them up. The team wasted its wind in its too lively spurt at the beginning of the season and is now lagging along with its hands on its sides watching one after another of its competitors pass into the homestretch. The Pittsburgs were in town last week long enough to take a good series from “Old Anse” and seriously trample on his good nature. The Jonahs of last year are Jonahs still, and they pluck off a game here and there where no one else is able to find one. The Hoosiers and the Senators still keep close guard over the rear end of the League and occasionally sally out upon some supposed usurper of their position.

Good judges of the game in Chicago begin to believe that had Clarkson not been sold the Chicagos would now be into the pennant fight. What the team needsis one good pitcher and less in-and-outers. Its batting, fielding, and baserunning are good enough. Tim Keefe, the famous pitcher of the New Yorks, has turned Benedict. He was married a few days ago at Worcester, Mass., to Mrs Helm, a sister of Mrs. Helen Dauvray Ward. Arlie Latham is back in his old place on the St Louis Browns, after a suspension of two weeks. Latham said that he wouldlnever again give the club management any cause for complaint, and it was on these conditions that he again enters the clubs ranks. He loses his salary during suspension. It is reported that President Brush, of Indianapolis, is urging the adoption of a plan to get the Cleveland, Indianapolis, Columbus and Cincinnati clubs into a contest after the championship season closes. He proposes that each of these four clubs put up $250, and that the purse of SI,OOO thus obtained shall be divided into two prizes, the first of $750 and the second of $250, to be played for by the two Association and two League clubs, the xeries to consist of two games in each city by each club, to be played between Oct. 14 and 28; the winner to be awarded first prize and a pennant emblematic of the interstate championship. The Indianapolis directors have not considered the matter fully, but will likely decide in favor of it. Cincinnati is said to favor the proposition. Manager Mutrie tells a story of how, in order to avoid a game with the Giants on a wet day, to make things worse, the Hoosier groundkeeper had brought out a hose and sprinkled the base lines, pitcher’s box, and home plate to such an extent as to make a game wholly impossible. Jim insisted on a game, as it was not raining. The Hoosier people hummed and hawed, and finally agreed to play at 4:30. They did play and defeated the Giants, much to Mutrie’s chagrin. The Association has another club fight on its hands. Louisville opened negotiations for the purchase of Catcher Doyle of the Cantons and had him at Louisville, when Columbus stepped in, outbid Louisville, and got the man. The row over him will be a spectacle for civilization. Pitcher Krock, formerly of the Chicagos, has been signed by the Milwaukees. Earl will catch him. The plan of equally dividing the gate receipts to future league championship games is being quietly discussed by the clubs. Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburg, Washington, and Indianapolis are said to favor such a division, and New York, Boston, and Philadelphia to oppose it. Hallman of the Philadelphia team is playing the most phenomenal game that any new man has ever played out of position in a league championship club. Tom Esterbrook, who has played in ten. clubs this season and quarreled with the directors of each, now threatens to sue London, Ont., for his season’s salary. Pittsburg would sell the once brilliant Dunlap if it could find a club foolish 1 enough to buy. - Dunlap cost $5,000 and will not bring SI,OOO. His $5,00.0 salary is one of his unpopular attachments. It seems as though the double-umpire system was destined to have a thorough trial next season. It deserves one. All other systems have failed. Arthur Clarkson, John’s brother, who has been promising for three or four seasons, will not “do.” Buffalo tried and has released him. Pat Tebeau, another of Chicago’s cgst--offs, is playing the most regular firstclass game of the season on Cleveland’s third base. “Buck" Ewing is the heart and head of the New York team, and if he is ever disabled the so-called Giants will descend l the championship chute faster than th* ■ Clevelands.