Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 September 1895 — THEY MET IN PEACE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THEY MET IN PEACE

Mammoth Gatheringof the Blue and Gray. G.A.R. AT LOUISVILLE One of the Most Successful Encampments. Matchless Hospitality of the City— Enormoia Crowd* Well Cared For, and the Whole Town Inspired to En-thusiasm-Over 40,000 Veterans Parade Before a Quarter of a MillionList of Btate Departments Appearing—Barbecues and Camp-Fires the Bcenca of Many Reunions. Monday was the opening day of the twenty-ninth annual encampment G. A. R., held this year at Loaisville. A warm invitation to assemble there was extended to the members by Mr. Henry Watterson. Many of them entered the State over thirty years ago bent on a very different mission, and much against Mr. Watterson’s wishes. About 60,000 old soldiers attended this encampment. This is only a melancholy fraction of the men who came out of the four-years' struggle with their lives, and yet it is a great number when one reflects that it is thirty years since that contest ended. These gatherings are better attended than were those held ten years after the war, closed, when the number pf veterans was so much greater than now. This is not because railroad rates are cheaper or the old soldiers are any

better able to stand the expense and the wear and tear of travel, but because as the ranks are thinned out the survivors feel more strongly drawn toward one another. Each of them feels more keenly than ever before that this may be the last time he will be able to foregather with hi 3 comrades, so he goes himself, if it is humanly possible; and, if he can, he takes his family along, so that his children may see the men side by side with whom he fought. Drawing to a Close. But the day of large gatherings is slowly and surely drawing to a close. Each year depletes the ranks. This was not so perceptible at first becnuse the Grand Army has kept on growing long after the war was over. The men who did not join it at first, either because their attention was absorbed,- in earning a living or because the war was still so near them that its memories had not ceased to be disagreeable, one by one joined that organization. So it grew while the number of old soldiers was decreasing. That period of growth is over now, and gradually these annual encampments will dwindle till tens meet where thousands meet now. First South of the Ohio. This encampment was a notable one, as it was the first held south of the Ohio River. The “boys” marched in a familiar direction and near to the locality of stirring scenes in their lives, but they went down there with different feelings from those of thirty years ago. The events in Chiago’s Oakwoods Cemetery on Decoration Day, as well as the cordial invitations from Atlanta to Northern soldiery, go to show that the era of complete reconciliation is at hand. This year’s encampment will expedite its fruition. The men of the blue and the gray will get better acquainted with each other, and will be better friends hereafter for. this meeting. The extraordinary preparations which Louisville made and the cordiality of welcome all pointed to the same result. The encampment naturally attracted large numbers of the ex-Confederates also, and the commingling of the old-time enemies under the standard of peace added its influences also toward the cementing of kindly feelings. Louisville’s Hospitality. Though many of the veterans during the year have replied to the last muster call, the encampment was one of the most successful the Grand Army has ever had. Certainly under the circumstances it was one of the most interesting. Kentucky is closely allied to Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, and thousands of its sons have settled in those States. The ties between them are strong, and to large numbers of these veterans the welcome will like a family one. Louisville did its best upon this occasion. Mr. Watterson and his starry-eyed girl did their best also, and if the blue invasion had threatened to be too much for the city the whole Blue Grass region would have come to the rescue. There was room enough, however, for all. Louisville never was . known to get too full. The people of the city secured concessions from railroads and hotels, and even arranged for free sleeping quarters in schoolhouses and other buildings, with the additional provision of tents and barracks. The schools for the week were dismissed. Fully 300,000 strangers were in town during the encampment. While the influx from the Northern States was tremendous, yet that from the South kept pace. All the roads ran trajns as close together as possible, and the most complete arrangements prevailed for receiving the visitors. Ovation to Lawler. The arrival of Commander-in-chief Lawler was the signal for the opening of the encampment His special train bowled into the Union Depot on time. As soon as the Commander appeared at the door of his car the members of the Reception and Invitation Committees gave him a rousing cheer. The Louisville Legion was the feature of the parade. At the Galt House crowds were awaiting the Commander’s arrival, and they kept him busy for a long time shaking hands. At 6 p. m. General Lawler and stiff dined with Colonel H. S. Cohn, and at 8 p. m. were formally presented to President Shirley, of. the Citizens’ Committee. Ransom Post of St. Louie and the Cincinnati posts serenaded the party,at President Shirley’s house, where a brilliant t social event was in progress. At night camp fires were held in New Albany and Jeffersonville, as well as in Louisville, while receptions were given Commander Lawler, Admiral Allen, Mrs.

Logan, Mr*. Wallace-and other*. At Camp Caldwell, where twelve State departments and thousands of unattached veterans were quartered free in tent*, there was singing anl story-telling and many informal camp fires. Most of the Indiana veterans were quartered at New Albany and Jeffersonville. The regimental reunions were held in the State headquarters Tuesday. Distinguished Guests. Among the distinguished visitors were: Corporal Tanner, S. D...Burdette, Gen. R. A. Alger of. Detroit, Mich., Inspector General Pond of Lansing, Mich., J. C. S. Blackburn, W. G. Bradley, General S. B. Buckner and Colonel J. A. Buckner of Louisiana, Col. W. E. Bundy of Cincinnati, J. C. Burrows of Kalamazoo, flich., General H. B. Carrington and General J. S. Clarkson of lowa, General Cassius M. Clay of Whitehall, Ky.; J. M. Coney, Judge Advocate for Massachusetts; Captain T. Davis Cunningham of Blairsville, Pa.; W. H. Derby, Senior Vice Commander, of Massachusetts; J. I. Dorsey and N. S. Dudley of Flemingsburg, Bishop Samuel Fallows of Chicago, Rev. James P. Foster of Geneva, N. Y., General John B. Gordon of Reynolds, Ga., Rev. T. H. Hagerty of St. Louis, John M. Harkin and General Warren Keifer of Springfield, Ohio, J. Proctor Knott of Lebanon, Ky., William Lindsay of Frankfort, Ky., John A. Logan of Chicago, United States Senator Manderson of Nebraska, Governor Claude Matthews of Indiana, James Whitcomb Riley of Indianapolis, Adjutant Joseph W. Roberts of Warsaw, Ky., General D. E. Sickles of New York, John W. Thayer of Lincoln, Neb., - General John G. Underwood of Chicago, Governor William H. Upham of Madison, Wis., Rev. T. D. Walker of Chicago, Colonel M. D. Wickersham of Mobile, Ala. The New Commander. The tread of the feet of the boys in blue had hardly begun before the contest for the office of Commander-in-chief was well under way. Every State represented seemed to have its favorite son, but the two men most prominently considered for the high honor were Major Thaddeus S. Clarkson of Nebraska and Colonel Ivan N. Walker of Indiana. The friends of these two veterans and of the other candidates were quickly hard at work. The opposing factions got together, and the result of the conference was the decision that Colonels Walker and Clarkson should be’the only nominees. Then an lowa delegate was to move the withdrawal of Col. Clarkson’s name and the unanimous election of Col. Walker. This would serve to give Col. Clarkson prestige at the 1896 convention. • Ivan N. Walker. Colonel Ivan N. Walker is a native of Indiana, and at the breaking out of the war, at the age of 21, was holding an important office, which he resigned to raise a company for the Seventy-third Indiana, of which he was chosen Captain. He was with his regiment in all its engagements, and for gallant conduct on Stone River’s contested field won the rank of Major, and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in March, 1863, and on the death of the colonel became commander of the regiment. For a year he endured the horrors of Libby prison, and escaped through the historic tunnel in February, 1864. Afterward he rendered important service in the Army of the Cumberland, protecting the line of supplies between Stevenson and Decatur, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad and Tennessse River, during the advance on Atlanta. At the battle of Nashville he' received the personal thanks of General Thomas. After the war, owing to ill- ■ health, arising from confinement in Libby, he resided in Nashville, Tenn., for six years, but returned to Indianapolis in 1871, where he has since lived. He became a member of the G. A. R. in 1867, and on the reorganization of the Depart-

ment of Indiana served as Commander of George H. Thomas Post, the largest post in the department. He was appointed assistant adjutant general of this department in 1887, and reappointed three times. In 1891, declining a fifth term, he was chosen Department Commander, and at Indianapolis, in 1893, was chosen Senior Vice Commander-in-chief. He possesses in a high degree executive ability, and is in every way fitted to fill with honor the position of Commander-in-chief. Naval Veterans’ Parade, In the naval veterans’ parade Tuesday morning thirty-seven different associations were represented and they made an imposing column. At their business meeting the following officers were elected: Rear Admiral, Samuel Allen, of New York; Commodore, E. C. Farquhar, Zanesville, Ohio; Captain, Geo. Fritschner, Louisville; Commodore, W. J. Ferguson, Philadelphia; Lieutenant Commander, E. D. Bliss, Brooklyn; Senior Lieutenant, D. B. Ungay, Rockford, 111.; Under Lieutenants, James Stanley, New York; F. L. Ferguson, Thomas G. Henos, Cincinnati; Paymaster, E. F. Duston, Providence; Fleet Engineer, G. L. Seavy, Chicago; Judge Advocate General, Charles Cowley, Chicago; Chaplain, the Itev. A. S. McWilliams, Detroit. Wednesday’s Great Parade. At least 40,00 P men were in the great parade of Wednesday, and it was watched by over 300,000 people. Several circuses had sent their blue board seats, and there were review stands on the line of march to accommodate over 150,000 persons. The route of march looked like an immense amphitheater. Many hundreds of the boys had become worn out, and watched their comrades in the line of march. The following were among the State departments appearing: Department of Indiana, with 124 posts, the largest number of any department; Kentucky, with 90 posts; Illinois, 39; Alabama, 2; Delaware, 1; lowa, 2; Kansas, 5; Louisiana, 11; Maine, 1; Maryland, 2; Massachusetts, 8; Michigan, 1; Minnesota, 2; Missouri, 10; New Hampshire, 1; New Jersey, 2; New York, 5; Ohio, 90; Pennsylvania, 11; Vermont, 2; West Virginia, 2; Wisconsin, 3; Oklahoma, 1; Washington, D. C., 3; Oregon, Idaho and Washington, 1 post each. Tire crowning feature of the encampment was the great Kentucky barbecue and burgoo feast, at which over 200,000 participated. Notes of tho Encampment. When the citiaans had put the finishing touches to the street decorations and the triumphal arches, both the residence and the business districts presented a beautiful appearance. The lowa boys took along the A. O. TJ. W. band of thirty-five pieces from Cedar Falls. Colt J. K. Thompson, department commander, with his staff, was with the delegation. One of the most pleasing incidents of the encampment was the presentation to

Commander-in-chief Lawler by the aide* de camp on his personal staff of one Of the finest diamond badges ever made in this country. More than |4,500 .was thus collected and the order for the badge was placed in the hands of one of the most famous jewelry firms in the country. The badge is said to be one of the handsomest pieces of work of the kind ever made. It is solid gold and imbedded in the metal are several large diamonds and other precious stones. All of the emblems of the order are engraved on it, and on the reverse side is an appropriate inscription giving the date of presentation and other data. Two special trains were necessary to take Wisconsin's delegation. Maryland sent a good crowd, and they had a cracking band which played with much vim “Maryland, My Maryland.” At different times during ine week six national conventions were in session. These comprised the national encampment of the Grand Army and the national sessions of the Woman’s Relief Corps, Ladies of the Grand Army, National Association of Naval Veterans, National Association Daughters of Veterans, and National Association of Union ex-Prisoners of War. In addition to these events there were a score or more of campfires, at some of which ex-Presi-dent Harrison, Gov. McKinley, ex-Speak-er J. Warren Keifer and other men of national reputation delivered addresses. Each member from North Dakota carried some sort of weapon fashioned out of wheat straw in the big parade. About 1,000 Chicago veterans attended, while the State at large sent 4,500 more. Michigan and Indiana boys went down together, much as they did thirty-five years ago. They had their own bands and drum corps, and mustered a big crowd. The Missouri contingent filled thirteen coaches. Buffalo, St. Paul and Denver made a hot fight for the next encampment. At the big Jeffersonville, Ind., campfire Gov. Claude Matthews, Corporal Tanner and Gen. Lew Wallace spoke to 7,000 persons. In the chapel at the Indiana prison south forty-five convict veterans held the most unique camp-fire of the week by special permission of Warden Hert. The coat lapel buttons of the United Confederate Veterans were to be seen on every hand, but their wearers acted as guides, philosophers and friends to their guests of the week. That latchstring concerning which the brilliant Henry Watterson talked so eloquently before the members of the Pittsburg encampment was very much in evidence. Not one alone, but a hundred of them, hanging on the outside. It is doubtful if the city ever before entertained so many guests. Certain it is, the town never before had within its limits so many battle-scarred soldiers. The reception by the Woman’s Relief Corps to Commander Lawler was the leading social event of the week. Thousands of both thd blue and the gray attended. For two hours veterans and their wives paid their respects to the receiving party. It is said by veterans who have attended every encampment that the reception surpassed anything of the kind ever held. In the big parade was the old war horse Ned, aged 40 years. His present owner, B. F. Crawford, of Northeast, Pennsylvania, got possession of him thirty-two years ago and says Ned was then 8 years old, according to his mouth. Until five years ago Ned did his share of the work on Mr. Crawford’s Pennsylvania farm. Ned was captured from Gen. Jubal Early’s corps near Washington, and was given to his present owner to replace an animal which had been shot in a skirmish, At the close of the war Mr. Crawford left Washington on Ned’s back. Ned has been conspicuous at former encampments. He gave out at Tittsburg last year, and in the Louisville parade he rode on a float. The Chicago posts took the city by storm. The famous Columbia, that post so loved by Southerners, marched at once to the Galt House, and were wildly cheered as they passed through the streets. When they renched the hotel scores of exConfederates bid them welcomo to Kentucky, and the Chicago men were toasted and feasted to repletion. It is estimated that the Illinois visitors numbered 10,000.

THOMAS G. LAWLER, Commander-in-chief G. A. R.

COL. IVAN N. WALKER.