ride, and all had the opportunity of witnessing the magnificent living and moving embodiment of patriotism.

The Encampment week was filled with reunion receptions, excursions, dinners and innumerable diversions for the more than two hundred thousand visiting Comrades and friends. The latch-string of Massachusetts hospitality was always and everywhere apparent.

A MONSTER CAMP FIRE

One of the most notable of all gatherings was the reception and Camp Fire, held in Mechanics Building, Wednesday evening, attended by ten thousand old soldiers, including Post No. 113 and their guests from New York.

The enthusiasm of this vast assembly was unexampled and almost overpowering. No one, unless a witness of it, could imagine the tremendous fervor and patriotic ardor with which the Veterans from all over the country joined as one man, in this most glorious and soul-lifting meeting.

It was an occasion of one's life to have been a partaker in it. Cheers upon cheers, and vociferous hurrahs, continually repeated, as one and another of the noted soldiers were presented, made it difficult to calm the wild expressions of joy sufficiently to allow any one to be heard. At last, Department Commander Innis, who presided, succeeded in formally opening the speech making by a brief introductory. Governor Brackett, the first regular speaker of the evening, set the keynote of enthusiasm and power, and down to the last man every speech was made with ringing effect, which held the audience in closest attention. The speeches were interspersed with both instrumental and vocal music of fine quality.

The greatest Commander of the War then living, General William T. Sherman, was present and spoke briefly, but from the heart. It proved to be the last time that most of the audience were permitted to see him or hear his voice, as, before the National Encampment of 1904 in Boston, he had passed beyond the veil.

The other speakers were Mayor Hart, Commander-in-Chief Alger, General Benjamin F. Butler, Major William McKinley, Past Commander-in-Chief Warner, General Sickles and Hon. Willard Howland.

ENCAMPMENT WEEK

The public press declared that:

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"In point of distinguished men, vast assemblage, admirable management and good speaking, this Camp Fire of the Grand Army Encampment and Woman's Relief Corps was a type of what is most brilliant and best in large public gatherings of a similar nature, and as regards the present Encampment it ranked as one of the most conspicuous successes of the week's celebration."

The meetings of the Encampment were held at Music Hall on Hamilton Place. On Thursday evening a grand complimentary banquet was given in Mechanics Hall to the delegates of the National Encampment; Friday they were taken by boat to Plymouth, and Saturday the steamer New York took them a sail up along the North Shore. In the afternoon they had an opportunity to view the evolutions off Boston Light of the Naval Squadron which had been lying in the harbor during the week in honor of the Encampment. The State donated fifty thousand dollars, the city of Boston twenty-five thousand dollars and citizens in proportion. The decorations, public and private, were lavish, while the generous hospitality shown on every hand, all in a spirit of utmost friendliness, contributed to make the whole week one of the most enjoyable and successful National Encampments ever held by the Grand Army.

A list of the notable men and women present upon this occasion would alone fill a small volume.

The following members of Post No. 113 served on one or more important committees which made the general arrangements and carried out the numerous details of the Encampment, viz.: Comrades Adams, Nathan Appleton, Blackmar, Benson, John D. Billings, John H. Cook, Charles G. Davis, Dalton, Hollis, Hersey, Hall, Hodgdon, Ireland, Jacobs, Edward W. Kinsley, Kendricken, Mathews, Parker, Eugene H. Richards, Sanborn, Sanderson, Sawin, Stillings, Charles H. Taylor, Cranmore N. Wallace, Waugh and White.

ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION AND BANQUET

The twenty-first Anniversary banquet was served at Young's Hotel, following a reception in which one hundred and thirty Comrades and guests participated. After dining, Commander Sawin called to order, and, congratulating the Post on the great and successful events of the year, he

announced that no member had been lost by death since the last anniversary occasion. Comrade Eugene H. Richards was presented as Toast-master. Affectionate reference was made to the loss of Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief and Past Department Commander Richard F. Tobin.

Two pleasant incidents of the evening were the presentation to the Post by Comrade Blackmar, in behalf of Mr. Charles W. Parker, of a fine portrait of Abraham Lincoln, the work of his son, Mr. Charles S. Parker, an artist of note, and the presentation of a solid silver loving cup by a delegation representing Lafayette Post No. 140 of New York, in remembrance of their delightful visit and entertainment by Kinsley Post No. 113, in Boston the previous August.

The other speakers were Mayor Thomas N. Hart, who had aided the Post all in his power during the Encampment; Hon. George A. Marden, State Treasurer; ex-Governor and General Nathaniel P. Banks; Hon. Sherman Hoar; Hon. Frederick T. Greenhalge; Mr. Edward W. Kinsley; Past Department Commander George L. Goodale, and Comrades James B. Brewster and J. C. L. Hamilton of Lafayette Post No. 140 of New York.

Duets and songs were rendered by Comrades Joseph L. White, Carl Pfleuger and Thomas H. Norris. It was a fitting conclusion of the year's stirring celebrations.

LESSER ITEMS

The commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the pastorate of Rev. Edward A. Horton at the Second Church, Copley Square, was celebrated by a reception and musicale given in honor of Rev. and Mrs. Horton at the church, May 23. It was an interesting occasion, largely attended by members of the Post.

November 25 the annual inspection was made by Comrade W. H. Downs of Post No. 62.

December 9 a memorial was adopted on the death of National Senior Vice-Commander and Past Department Commander of Massachusetts Richard F. Tobin.

COMMANDER SAWIN

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GEORGE A. SAWIN

Service, Civil War. 22d Mass. Infantry.

13th Veteran Reserve Corps. Sergeant.

Commander Sawin was one of the Comrades who united with the Post at the time of its organization, December 2, 1869, and was an active member during nearly all the period since. His longest official service was as Chaplain, though he occupied several other stations prior to his election as Senior ViceCommander. By the death of his predecessor in the mid-year, the duties of acting Commander were cast upon him during the last half of 1887, thus making his service as presiding officer two and one-half years.

Owing to conditions already described, his service for the first half of this period was rather trying and not of a satisfying nature. He had, however, the honor of serving during the first great National Encampment held in Boston, and carried through with great success and credit the arduous duties of the Encampment week, including the most brilliant reception and banquet ever given by Post No. 113, at which were present an array of great soldiers, statesmen and literati such as never before or since graced a banquet board in Massachusetts' capital city.

It was during his administration that the Post was introduced into a larger field and carried the reputation of Post No. 113 far beyond its own limited border, from which it has never receded.

CHAPTER XXVI

EIGHTEEN HUNDRED NINETY-ONE

NOTABLE MEMORIAL SERVICE. MRS. HARRIET R. P. STAFFORD. THE FIRST STARS AND STRIPES. MRS. MARY A. LIVERMORE. VISIT TO LAFAYETTE. THE TOMB OF GENERAL GRANT. WEST POINT. GRAND BANQUET AT NEW YORK. FIRST FALL FIELD DAY. TWENTY-SECOND ANNIVERSARY. MINOR EVENTS. SKETCH

OF MR. EDWARD W. KINSLEY. SKETCH OF COMMANDER GEORGE F. HALL.

NOTABLE MEMORIAL SERVICES

OTWITHSTANDING the strenuous duties and enjoyments of the National Encampment just ended, the year was brightened by several events of more than ordinary significance.

May 30 the Post, with the usual escort of four companies of the 1st Regiment of Infantry, M. V. M., marched from the South Armory, Irvington Street, to the Common, via Marlboro Street. In passing the residence of Mr. Edward W. Kinsley a salute was given him as he stood at the window; it was the last Memorial Day he had the pleasure of looking upon "his boys," as he always affectionately called them.