Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 September 1889 — PLAYED AT WARFARE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

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

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

IN THE CRADLE OF THE MICHIGAN.