Before the last forum crash there was a thread about a GAR encampment in western New York in 1884 that really seemed to imply that these encampments, if held today, would be sneered at by "authentic" reenactors. Below is another newspaper account of another western New York encampment that lends a similar view. Enjoy!
From: The Buffalo Express – Monday Morning August 27, 1886
The fourth annual encampment of Western New York began at Camp Weber, Hemlock Hall, North Collins, yesterday and will conclude tomorrow. It is under the auspices of Ayer, Noyes, Darby and Swift posts, with the assistance of several visiting posts and military organizations. Several Chautauqua posts have accepted invitations for today and will be _____ armed and equipped. Other posts will visit the encampment tomorrow.
The program will be varied each day and will consist of sham battles, drills, parades, reviews, court martial, hanging spies, shooting deserters, camp _____, and all the varied incidents of army life reenacted by those who were actors in the great drama of 1861-65. Reduced rates have been secured on the Buffalo & Southwestern to North Collins. A cordial invitation is extended to all to enjoy one or more days of camp life with the veterans. Refreshments on the grounds. No blanket tossing allowed.
The camp is in command of Comrade J. L. Walker of Gowanda, Wayne White of Hamburg being senior vice commander, A. S. Parker of North Collins junior vice commander, George Carr of Angola Adjutant, H. A. Smith of North Collins Quartermaster, H. M. Blasdell of Blasdell sergeant-major, E. Smith of North Collins quartermaster sergeant, J. J. Keyes of Hamburg chaplin, Dr. J. G. Thompson of Angola chief of staff, with Silas Arnold of Gowanda, Enos Hibbard of North Collins, and W. W. Grace of Elma aides, and C. E. Haviland of Hamburg as judge advocate. Music is furnished by the Pine Valley Drum Corps of Juveniles, well drilled and tastefully attired in blue.
A well executed drill in skirmish tactics with blank cartridge and firing by the firing squad occupied the morning yesterday. Following the hour for dinner and entertainment of the S. C. Noyes Post Ladies Relief Corps, speeches were made by Maj. Geo. H. Stowite(?) of Buffalo and C. E. Haviland of Hamburg. The entertainment furnished by the Ladies Relief Corps of S. C. Noyes Post, North Collins, consisted of music, singing, and recitations. On Friday, James Ayers Ladies Relief Corps will give an hour entertainment of similar character. On Friday and Saturday, an exhibition of bayonet exercise will be held under the direction of W. W. Grace of Elma, a Comrade of the 116th Regiment.
The location of the camp is all that could be desired for the exercises. The attendance is large. The camp is formed on three sides of a square, and the tents are the homes of the comrades and their families for the entire week. The ground is dry and in the shade of the magnificent oaks that tower from the center of the camp is agreeable to all within its reach. The administration of the camp is in the hands of intelligent men, and good order is the rule. Among the visitors yesterday was Surrogate Steve of this city, and ere the close of the week many hundreds will recreate in the welcome abode of the grand old oaks of the camp of the G.A.R. of North Collins.
*****
From: The Buffalo Express – Monday Morning August 27, 1886
VETERANS IN CAMP
How the G.A.R. Comrades are enjoying
Themselves at North Collins
How the G.A.R. Comrades are enjoying
Themselves at North Collins
The fourth annual encampment of Western New York began at Camp Weber, Hemlock Hall, North Collins, yesterday and will conclude tomorrow. It is under the auspices of Ayer, Noyes, Darby and Swift posts, with the assistance of several visiting posts and military organizations. Several Chautauqua posts have accepted invitations for today and will be _____ armed and equipped. Other posts will visit the encampment tomorrow.
The program will be varied each day and will consist of sham battles, drills, parades, reviews, court martial, hanging spies, shooting deserters, camp _____, and all the varied incidents of army life reenacted by those who were actors in the great drama of 1861-65. Reduced rates have been secured on the Buffalo & Southwestern to North Collins. A cordial invitation is extended to all to enjoy one or more days of camp life with the veterans. Refreshments on the grounds. No blanket tossing allowed.
The camp is in command of Comrade J. L. Walker of Gowanda, Wayne White of Hamburg being senior vice commander, A. S. Parker of North Collins junior vice commander, George Carr of Angola Adjutant, H. A. Smith of North Collins Quartermaster, H. M. Blasdell of Blasdell sergeant-major, E. Smith of North Collins quartermaster sergeant, J. J. Keyes of Hamburg chaplin, Dr. J. G. Thompson of Angola chief of staff, with Silas Arnold of Gowanda, Enos Hibbard of North Collins, and W. W. Grace of Elma aides, and C. E. Haviland of Hamburg as judge advocate. Music is furnished by the Pine Valley Drum Corps of Juveniles, well drilled and tastefully attired in blue.
A well executed drill in skirmish tactics with blank cartridge and firing by the firing squad occupied the morning yesterday. Following the hour for dinner and entertainment of the S. C. Noyes Post Ladies Relief Corps, speeches were made by Maj. Geo. H. Stowite(?) of Buffalo and C. E. Haviland of Hamburg. The entertainment furnished by the Ladies Relief Corps of S. C. Noyes Post, North Collins, consisted of music, singing, and recitations. On Friday, James Ayers Ladies Relief Corps will give an hour entertainment of similar character. On Friday and Saturday, an exhibition of bayonet exercise will be held under the direction of W. W. Grace of Elma, a Comrade of the 116th Regiment.
The location of the camp is all that could be desired for the exercises. The attendance is large. The camp is formed on three sides of a square, and the tents are the homes of the comrades and their families for the entire week. The ground is dry and in the shade of the magnificent oaks that tower from the center of the camp is agreeable to all within its reach. The administration of the camp is in the hands of intelligent men, and good order is the rule. Among the visitors yesterday was Surrogate Steve of this city, and ere the close of the week many hundreds will recreate in the welcome abode of the grand old oaks of the camp of the G.A.R. of North Collins.
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