66

In the words of Montaigne, “I have gathered a posie of other men's flowers, and nothing but the thread that binds them is mine own."

As a tribute of love it is dedicated to the Comrades and

many friends of Edward W. Kinsley Post, No. 113.

BOWDOIN S. PARKER,

Historian.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

CHAPTER I. 1869. The Grand Army of the Republic. Its Origin and

Growth. Major Stephenson and Chaplain Rutledge.

Aims. Eligibility to Membership

Objects and

1

CHAPTER II. 1869. The Origin of Post No. 113. Comrades Denny

and Attwood. The Post Charter. Preliminary Organization. Post

Name. An Unknown Friend.

CHAPTER III. 1870 (First Half). Permanent Organization. A Cav-

alry Leader. Public Installation. Headquarters. Membership.

Post Equipment. Ceremonies. A Veterans' Club. Finances.

Early Activities. Soldiers' Aid Fund. Employment Bureau.

First Decorative Service. First Celebration of Memorial Day by

Post No. 113. Donations. Excursion to Lowell Island

CHAPTER IV. 1870 (Second Half). Under the Same Leader. First

Post Funeral. Origin of Term "Camp Fire." Membership at End

of First Year, Sixty-four. A Touching Incident. Post No. 113

advocates a Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. Sketch of General

Wilmon W. Blackmar, the First Commander.

CHAPTER V. 1871 (First Half). The First Naval Commander. First

National Encampment of Grand Army in Boston. Resignation of

Commander Hollis. Presentation of Flag. Observance of Memo-

rial Days by Post No. 113. Memorial Day May 30. Services at

Boston and Lexington, Edward W. Kinsley, Orator.

Commander J. Edward Hollis

9

18

Sketch of

31

CHAPTER VI. 1871 (Second Half).

Infantryman Leads. Dedication

of Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. Parade in Honor of President

Grant and laying Corner Stone of Post Office. No Parade for

Alexis. Lectures. Concerts. Increase of Membership

37

CHAPTER VII. 1872. Commander's Circular. Lectures. Concerts.

Camp Fires. May 30. Rev. William B. Wright, Orator. Estab-

lishment of Relief Funds. Decrease in Attendance at Meetings.

Great Boston Fire. Sketch of Commander Cornelius G. Attwood.

40

CHAPTER VIII. 1873.

stroyed by Fire.

Citizens Aid Post.

PAGE

Post Headquarters de-

Rescue of the Bible and Stuffed Eagle. Rev.

Trip to Malden. Tour-

Start New Post. Pres-

Sketch of Commander

W. H. H. Murray, Memorial Day Orator.

ing for Headquarters. Members of "113"

entations Made and Donations Received.

Augustus N. Sampson

CHAPTER IX. 1874. An Optimistic Circular. New Headquarters

Secured. Memorial Day Exercises at King's Chapel. Rev. Henry

W. Foot, Orator. Demits and Suspensions. Sketch of Commander

J. Waldo Denny

CHAPTER X. 1875.

New Headquarters Dedicated. All Past Com-

manders in Office. Notable Fraternity for ex-Confederates. Me-

morial Day. Rev. Minot J. Savage, Orator. Gifts. Statue of

"War Governor" Andrew. First Post Anniversary Celebration.

Increase in Dues. Department Politics. Administration

CHAPTER XI. 1876. A Typical Camp Fire. Services, May 30. Rev.

William B. Wright, Orator. Department Parade. Finances.

Anniversary at Parker's. No Deaths

CHAPTER XII. 1877. Soldiers' Home. Memorial Day. Rev. John

F. W. Ware, Orator. Dedication of Soldiers' and Sailors' Monu-

ment. Waning Interest. Anniversary at Young's. Removal of

Department Headquarters. No Deaths.

45

50

54

60

63

CHAPTER XIII. 1878. Post No. 113 holds First Memorial Service at

Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument on the Common. General Horace

Binney Sargent, Orator. At the Church Rev. Edward Everett

Hale, D.D., Orator. Anniversary at Young's Hotel. Post not

Prospering. Sketch of Commander Nathan Appleton

CHAPTER XIV. 1879. Memorial Day. Past Commander Wilmon W.

Blackmar, Orator. The Post Declining and Surrender of Charter

Considered. Tenth Anniversary at Young's .

66

CHAPTER XV.

1880. Memorial Services at Boston and Hingham.

Colonel Thomas W. Higginson, Orator at Boston, and Past Com-

mander Blackmar, Orator at Hingham. The 250th Anniversary

of Boston. The Post Charter Saved. Honors shown the Langs-

ton Guards of Norfolk, Virginia. The Eleventh Anniversary at

Young's. Sketch of Commander Albert W. Hersey

CHAPTER XVI. 1881. A Discouraging Outlook. A Turn in the Road.

Reception to Commander-in-Chief Wagner. May 30 made a Legal

Holiday. Grand Memorial Parade. Special Services by Post No.

113. Commander Thomas R. Mathews, Orator at Common. Gov-

ernor John D. Long, Orator at Tremont Temple. Soldiers' Home

Established. Death of President Garfield. Anniversary at Young's.

The Tide had Turned. Revival of Post.

72

75

80