GDG- G.A.R. Encampment - 1913

[Ginny Gage]

Sorry I didn¹t have this transcribed for the anniversary, but think it¹s
worth sending anyway.  It¹s interesting to note that it took another 88
years for a memorial to the women of the Civil War to actually happen.

Ginny Gage

G.A.R. Encampment. 
 

            The opening of the State encampment of the Grand Army of the
Republic last week was marked by two very interesting events. The first was
the camp fire in the Court House on last Thursday evening.

            Hon. Wm. T. Ziegler, commander of Corporal Skelly Post No. 9,
presided and the address of welcome was made by Prof. Charles F. Sanders.
Past Commander Powell was then given charge of the meeting and there was
singing and talking that delighted the large audience of several hundred
that crowded the room.  The old war songs, ³We¹re Tenting Tonight on the Old
Camp Ground,² ³Rally Round the Flag, Boys,² and other patriotic songs were
sung.  Among the speakers were Commander-in-Chief Alfred Beers who spoke of
events of the coming week and suggested that a permanent memorial be erected
to the memory of the women of the Civil War who made the greatest sacrifices
of the war.  Thomas H. Cole, of Erie, department commander, made a short
address and other veterans gave short talks, everyone being delighted with
the evening.

            The other event was the marching of the boys of 1863 to the
opening session of the encampment held in Xavier Hall on last Friday
morning.  They were escorted to the hall by Colonel Stewart and five squads
of the Sons of Veterans preceded by the Allentown Band.

            It was the Grand Army boys who caught the eye.  They looked like
the veterans they were, nearly every one gray of hair, but they carried
themselves like boys of years ago, marching with precision.  There were
between four and five hundred in the parade and at many points they received
ovations from the people on the sidewalk.

            Little business was done at the meeting except the election of
officers for the ensuing year.  William J. Wells of Norristown, being chosen
for Department Commander, Hendrick E. Paine, Scranton, Senior Vice
Commander, J. W. McClure, Lancaster, Junior Vice Commander, Rev. M. L.
Ganoe, a former pastor of the Methodist Church of this place, now of
Altoona, Chaplain.  Dr. James E. Sillman of Erie, Medical Director. The
reports showed a membership of 17,826 in Pennsylvania Posts.  Indiana was
chosen over Lancaster for the winter meeting.
            The encampment as a distinctive organization meeting was
overshadowed by the great preparations for the big anniversary with arrivals
coming in for same in every train.