Notes: Below is not a full text transcription of the encampment article. The lenghly "Address of Welcome" by D.D. Murphy was printed in full in the article, but not transcribed. The description of the encampment activies was also quite long; so was either paraphrased or abstracted by the transcriber. All names in the article were included.

A Grand Success
A Large Attendance and Fine Weather Contribute to Make a Happy Time

The third annual encampment of the Clayton County Veterans' Association, which was held at this place last week, was the most successful yet had. There were many causes contributing to its success - among which was the splendid weather, which was neither too hot nor too cold, the advertised attractions, and reputation our city has got for treating their guests royally. These combined drew together nearly two hundred of the old veterans with their families, while many others were present as spectators. Ample accommodations had been furnished. All were well cared for, and everybody went home happy and praising our town for its hospitable treatment.

Opening of the Encampment

Wednesday afternoon came the formal opening of the camp grounds, with music by the drum corps, song by the glee club, a prayer by Rev. L.S. Cooley, after which D.D. Murphy delivered the Address of Welcome. At the close of Mr. Murphy's speech, President Geo. H. Otis responded on behalf of the Association in his usual happy manner. Mr. Otis' remarks were followed by a song from the glee club, after which announcements were made, and the comrades devoted their time to visiting. In the evening a camp-fire was held, the principal speech of the evening being by Col. J.H. Sweney, of Osage, who delivered a stirring address to the soldiers, which was received with frequent applause.

Speeches, Parade & The Storming of Lookout Mountain Reinactment

On Thursday, Gen. Milo Sherman spoke, and the speeches of Judge C.T. Granger and Gen. Sherman were listened to by a very large and appreciative audience. Other speeches by the comrades were in a happy frame and were cheered to the echo by the old boys. The dress parade at four o'clock brought out a large number of veterans, and they performed their evolutions in a highly satisfactory manner.

The event of the encampment took place on Thursday evening - a reproduction of the storming of Lookout Mountain. The announcement of this battle had drawn together many thousands of the people from surrounding towns. The boom of the cannon, the sharp crack of the muskets, together with the brilliant display of fire-works in the hands of the opposing forces, presented a spectacle that will be long remembered. After the battle the victorious union forces returned to the camp grounds with their prisoners, a court martial was had and the reports of the officers read.....

Gen. John Everall, Headquarters 2nd Division, Union Forces, Elkader, Iowa, Sept. 6th, 1888: "....my command arrived at the base of the mountain about 8 o'clock p.m. and established communication with Gen. Cooley, in command of the 1st division. By his direction, got into position on his left, extending around the base of the mountain nearly to the river, being in charge of Col. Leach. The signal for the assault was given our skirmishers, under command of Capt. Griffith. The attack was a complete surprise to the enemy, but although surprised they soon replied with spirit. I gave the order for a general charge ... they advanced, firing rapidly, and finally captured the fort with a grand bayonet charge. We found that Gen. Quigley, the fort commander, had escaped through a gap in our lines, but Gen's. Moody and Larkin surrendered their commands and turned over the fort to Gen. Cooley of the 1st division. Upon investigation I think that one of Capt. Griffith's command had the honor of capturing the rebel flag. I cannot speak too highly of the officers and men of my command. My extreme left being the Elkader Rifles, under Capt. Corlett, although under fire for the first time, behaved like veterans. Color Sergt. Hartman, with men falling all around him, kept the colors well to the front. I cannot forbear mentioning one member of the gallant "Irish Brigade" by the name of Jas. McGee, who did much to encourage the men by his cheers in the thickest of the fight."

Business Meeting

On Friday during the business meeting, the Association elected officers for the ensuing year: President - Geo. H. Otis, McGregor; Vice President - John Anderegg, Guttenberg; Secretary - J.M. Leach, Elkader; Commissary and Q.M. - F.D. Bayless, Elkader. Appointed by the president were J.M. Leach, John Everall and T.M. Davidson to the auditing committee. A motion by comrade G. Cooley tendered a vote of thanks to all who contributed in any way towards the success of the reunion.

The vast numbers who witnessed the display of fire-works and saw the battle of Lookout Mountain, were more than satisfied and were loud in their praise of the affair. The battle will be one of the features of the next encampment, and will be added to by a flotilla of gun boats on the Turkey.

Notes and Incidents

Found - a watch chain and charm on the camp grounds.

Lost - Col. Otis is short one rubber coat.

Incident - the night of the battle one or two sky rockets discharged prematurely. The only damage was the buring of the dress of a lady from Strawberry Point.
Artilleryman Border, of McGregor, deserves much praise for his efficient work with the field piece. He did his work without any damage to anyone.

Music - splendid music was furnished by the Volga and Read cornet bands, and by the Elkader drum corps.

We were pleased to welcome Jason Kinsly at the reunion. Jason has been a great sufferer the past year.

Among the visitors in camp was Rev. Mr. Pye, of McGregor. The reverend gentleman "took the cake" in his eulogy and restoration of the duck. His remarks on the dead duck, and the presentation of the live one to the presiding officer, brought forth loud peals of laughter, to which the duck added its quack, quack.

Roster of Attendees at the Encampment

[Transcription note: The list is arranged pretty much by regiment and is not alphabetical by surname. If residence was other than a Clayton co. community, the county of residence was added by the transcriber.]

~source: The Elkader Register, Thursday morning, September 13, 1888
~transcription, paraphrasing and abstractions were done by Sharyl Ferrall for Clayton co. IAGenWeb, April 2016

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