In the customary notice issued by the Commander giving the details for the day, the action taken upon this subject was announced as follows:

"The tenth anniversary of the ending of hostilities seems to be a fitting time to bury the bitter memories of the war and extend the hand of fellowship and friendship to every citizen of the Republic.

"By vote of the Post, the Commander, in the name of his command, hereby extends to every ex-Confederate soldier and sailor in Boston and vicinity a sincere and hearty invitation to join with them on Memorial Day in strewing with flowers the graves of those of their countrymen whom they met where only brave men dared to be."

The invitation, which was carried out by an ex-Confederate Colonel parading with the Post on Memorial Day, is a full and sufficient answer to the unfavorable criticisms of the action taken twenty-four years later in inviting General Joseph Wheeler to be the Memorial Day orator. The spirit of liberality, forgiveness and charity, with the sincere desire of healing up the wounds of animosity, strife, bitterness, sectionalism and civil war shown by Post No. 113 was no fantastic or spectacular exhibition exploited thirty-four years after the War for the Union ended. It was the same spirit exhibited by Post No. 113 at a time when the remembrances of the War were vivid and but slightly tempered by time.

MEMORIAL DAY

May 30 falling on Sunday, the day was observed on Saturday, the 29th, in this Department.

The Post, with Rimbach's Band and escorted again by the Boston Light Infantry, marched to the Church of the Unity, where the usual G. A. R. ritual was given and an address delivered by the Rev. Minot J. Savage. The music at the church was of a high order.

Some little time after the action of the Post in allowing an ex-Confederate to unite with the Post in the Memorial exercises, it was publicly condemned by certain members of the Grand Army, including Past Commander Denny, causing a severe breach of good feeling among some of the Comrades.

Nearly all the participants in the controversy have passed beyond, and the mellowing influence of time long since ended all feeling of resentment occasioned by the incident. The

DEDICATION AND INSTALLATION

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policy of the Post adopted in 1875 has, however, continued and been greatly extended and emphasized by subsequent events, without the slightest ill feeling or opposition.

The collections for Memorial Day observance amounted to $965, of which $700 was used for this purpose and the balance for relief.

Among the pleasant events of the following month was the presentation to the Post by Comrade John C. Putnam of the Rogers group, "Taking the Oath,” and a fine engraving of the "First Blow for Liberty"; and by Comrade Luke R. Landy of a Bulletin Board. Comrade Augustus N. Sampson later presented a colossal bust of Daniel Webster.

STATUE OF "WAR GOVERNOR" ANDREW

In October, by special invitation, the Post attended with band the ceremonies of the unveiling and presentation of the statue of Governor John A. Andrew to the town of Hingham. Edward W. Kinsley, Esq., was a guest of the Post upon this occasion.

THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

November 22 of this year is memorable for the introduction of the Anniversary reception and banquet, which thereafter became the permanent annual reunion feature of the Post. At its inception it was in the nature of an experiment.

The sixth anniversary of the preliminary meeting which resulted in the organization of Post No. 113 was celebrated by a grand reception and banquet given at the St. James Hotel, East Newton Street. It was in no sense a "Barmecide Feast"; on the contrary, the menu was unexcelled by any afforded in later years at Young's or Parker's.

Commander Blackmar presided. After an earnest speech of welcome, he announced the first toast, "The Department of Massachusetts." Major George S. Merrill, Department Commander, eloquently responded. "The Citizens who stood by Us," brought up Edward W. Kinsley, Esq., Governor Andrew's tried and trusty friend, whose presence and words always had a peculiar charm for the boys of "113." "The Commonwealth" was eulogized by her Secretary, Captain Henry B.

Pierce. The toast, "The Dead, Union and Confederate," was drunk standing and in silence, after which Mr. George B. Ford recited the beautiful poem, "The Blue and the Gray," with that rare oratorical skill and power for which he was so justly celebrated. In response to a rousing encore, he recited, "Mrs. Maloney on the Chinese Question," eliciting renewed applause. "To the men who made our victory at the front bear fruit at home," Hon. Alanson W. Beard delivered a stirring and patriotic speech. "The Militia of Massachusetts " was appropriately acknowledged by General F. W. Palfrey, former Commander of the Cadets.

Afterward Mr. Rollin M. Squire recited, by request, several of his war poems, which were enthusiastically applauded and added much to the enjoyment of the evening.

Past Commander Sampson feelingly and eloquently spoke to the toast, "Our Past Commanders," in which he threaded the warp and woof of his ready allusions with many a sparkle of incident connected with the army. After much merry making, wit and singing of the old songs, the company parted with ever dear "Auld Lang Syne." It was a brilliant and happy company. None who participated will ever fail to recall with pleasure this first celebration of the Post's Anniversary.

INCREASE IN DUES

The Commander suggested that the Post give an entertainment to raise money, as the receipts were not enough to meet the current expenses, but instead it was voted to increase the Post dues from fifty cents per month to $10 per year, payable $5 semi-annually. The dues have since remained at this sum.

DEPARTMENT POLITICS

The year ended, as it commenced, by an innovation, consisting of a resolution instructing the delegates to the Department Convention to support Horace Binney Sargent of Post No. 15 for Department Commander. This was the first and only time any action was taken relative to Department matters or officers during the first thirty years of the Post's existence.

Comrade Charles Dodd died December 6 and was buried at Mt. Auburn.

THE ADMINISTRATION

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ADMINISTRATION

The administration of the year was successful in a general sense, the meetings were better attended, some new recruits were obtained and much "dead-wood" was gotten rid of by suspensions and droppings. The principal events of the year were well carried out, and the membership was drawn closer together. Commander Blackmar left the Post strengthened in many respects, though the financial end was quite as weak in December as he found it the previous January.

A

CHAPTER XI

EIGHTEEN HUNDRED SEVENTY-SIX

TYPICAL CAMP FIRE. SERVICES MAY 30. REV. WILLIAM B. WRIGHT, ORATOR. DEPARTMENT PARADE. FINANCES. THE SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY AT PARKER's. NO DEATHS.

PAST

AGAIN COMMANDER HOLLIS OF THE NAVY

AST COMMANDER HOLLIS, after vainly endeavoring to avoid assuming the Commandership again, was at last persuaded, being assured of the hearty support of "all hands." The officers were quietly installed by Comrade E. B. Blasland, detailed for that purpose by the Department.

For the two previous years the old-time Camp Fire had been rather neglected; it was deemed wise to again bring it forward. Somebody has said that if the Camp Fires the actual out-of-door affairs, so named-of the War-were at all like those burnt at the headquarters of the Post No. 113, the boys were not to blame for perpetuating the illumination, as it was around these fires that the Homerics of the War, congenial to the universal heart, were given form and being; tales of danger, death and victory, of prowess, bravery and defeat, interspersed with