Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 August 1903 — ELECT JOHN C. BLACK. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ELECT JOHN C. BLACK.

ILLINOIB MAN CHOSEN TO HEAD a A. R. V , ~ ,1, Annual Encampment Held In Ban Fraaciaco Parade of th« Veteraaa Excites Patriotism of Great Throngs —Boston Chosen for Next'Year. Gen. John C. Black of Illinois was elected commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic at its annual en-

campment in San Francisco. The action had been forecasted, as he had the backing of some of the strongest delegations in the organization. Boston was chosen for the next encampment, and other officers were elected a a follows:

Senior Vice Commander—Col. O. Mason Keene, California. Junior Vice Commander —Col. s Harry Kessler, Montana. Surgeon in Chief—George A. Harmon, Ohio. Chaplain in Chief —Winfield Scott, Arizona. Report of Commander. The business se.ision of the encampment was held at the Grand Opera House. Oommander-in-Ohief Thomas J. Stewart read his report, which contained the following: “For the second time in its history the Grand Army of the Republic has journeyed to th 4 Pacific slope to hold its annual encampment. When we met in the city of San__Franciseo seventeen years ago the eastern shores of the Pacific ocean marked the western boundary of the republic. Since that time the foes of other days—the men who wore the blue nnd gray in the greatest war known in all time —have marched together under the flhg of a united country and carried it forward in the march of civilization and of progress. “The gains in membership the last year were: By muster, 8.183; transfer, 3,062; reinstatements, 11,072. The losses —By death, 8,336; honorable discharge, 730; transfer, 2,990; suspension, 13,513; dishonorable discharge, 76; delinquent reports, 5,022; net loss, 7,245.” The parade of the veterans will be long remembered by the thousands of people who packed the streets along the line of march to witness it. Remnant of Mighty Host. Bowed with the weight of years, worn out and weary, but animated by the fires of an unquencliing spirit, this remnant of a mighty host which had carved out victory for the republic on the hardest fought battle fields the world lias ever known marched proudly along, the lqst of an unconquered band of heroes. They looked the part they had played as makers of history in this country of their birth or adoption, as the case might be. Proudly they marched. with the battle flags waving above the swaying ranks — flags which bore the marks of shot and shell in many a fierce fray—comrades together now, as they were then. With military precision these old soldiers of Antietam, Vicksburg, the Wilderness, Gettysburg and Appomattox swung into line at the appointed hour ready for the command to march. Headed by the detachment from Illinois, commanded by Benson Wood, the Grand Army detachments appeared in full muster at their appointed stations ready to move with the main column, which started punctually at 10 o’clock on the route of march. A platoon of police led the column, commanded by Chief Wittman and followed by the drum corps of the National Association pf cs?Vil War Musicians. Next in line wgg Chief Marshal Edward T. Solomon and his staff.

The personal escort of Commander-in-Oliief Stewart was composed of George 11. Thomas Port, No. 2, department of California, A. D. Cutler commanding. Accompanying the commander-in-chief were Quartermaster General Burrows, Judge Advocate General Beers, Adjutant General John W. Sehall, Chaplain in Chief Sbuey and Inspector General Walsh, with members of the executive committee. Department of the Etates. The several departments of the Grand Army followed with, as mentioned before, the department of Illinois in the van. Following came Pennsylvania, commanded by Edward Q. Walton and Commander Yenglin; New York, Commander Noster; Connecticut, Commander Bulkeley; Massachusetts, • Commander Judd; New Jersey, Commander Long; Maine, Commander Chamberlain; Rhode Island, Commander Hudson; New Hampshire, Commander Parker; Vermont, Commander Penfield; rotomae, Commander Kimball; Virginia and North Carolina, Corpinnnder Haas; Maryland, Commander Stahl; Nebraska, Commander Estill; Michigan, Commander Van Raalte; lowa, Commander Raymond; Indiana, Commander Grune; Colorado and Wyoming, Commander Vaughn; Kansas, Commander Smibh; Delaware, Commander Baugh; Minnesota, Comtnandbr Maben; Missouri, Commander Sterret; Oregon, Commander Turner; Kentucky, Commander Forlee; West Virginia, Commander Moore; South Dakota, Commander Heed; Washington and Alaska, Commander Knvunaugb; Arkansas, Commander Avery; New Mexico, Commander Edwards; Utah, Commander Clark; Tennessee, Commander Patton; Dmhaann nnd Mississippi, Commander Keating; Florida, Commander Chase; Montana, Commander Wisner; Texas. Qommnnder Belton; Idaho, Commander Whittier; Georgia, ComniAuder Fitzgerald; Alabama, Commander Allison; North Dakota, Commander Rowe; Oklahoma, Commander Green; Indian Territory, Commander Rose. California nnd Nevada. under command of Mnj. Gen. W. R. Shafter, brought up the rear. A prominent trio rod* at the head of the Wisconsin division. They were Gen. Mae Arthur, commander of the department of the Parcifie; Gen. Cobb and Col. Lyon, all three being attired in civilian clothing. All three of these general officers are from Wisconsin, and all have won national renown. Gen. Mae Arthur was recoguized all along the line of march and was loudly cheered as he passed with the column.

GEN. J. C. BLACK.