My Dear Big Baby Girl, Ethel M. Armes: I only present this little watch as a small token of remembrance, hoping that when you seek the time from it your mind will be impressed with the fact that its donor is proud of his little daughter, and it is his wish that she will always conduct herself in such a way that he will contnue his devotion and admiration for her and always love her as an affectionate father ever can a child who is good and true. Your affectionate father, National Soldiers' Home, Virginia, G. A. A. May 23, 1892. Maj. George A. Armes: Sir-As you are chairman of arrangements in our organization, Second New York Heavy Artillery, and as I am on that committee, I will state that I cannot meet you on June 6, but I will suggest that our regimental colors be brought to Washington, as I suppose we will take part in the G. A. R. parade, as I suppose the most of the survivors are members of that organization. Every communication from you or from any of the committee will be promptly answered. MONTGOMERY MILLER, RECEPTION TO SECOND NEW YORK. (From Post of September 25, 1892.) Maj. G. A. Armes of this city gave a reception at his house on Connecticut avenue extended Tuesday night to his old regiment, the Second New York Heavy Artillery. They were delightfully entertained by his family. His daughters, Misses Cecily and Ethel, with their music and recitations, made the old comrades enjoy themselves to the fullest extent. Among those present were Capt. C. L. Smith, Sergeant Musson, First Lieut. G. W. Lacy, First Lieut. G. T. Bushnell, Orderly Sergt. A. J. Birdsall, M. Miller, P. Countryman, Bugler George Gracey, E. D. Stone, F. Bens, H. Davis, S. Miller, W. F. Wakefield, Hon. J. L. Briggs of Missouri, F. E. Dykeman, Capt. J. J. Williamson, W. Hector Gale, R. J. Clark, D. W. Osburn, Frank H. Burr, Capt. F. Brooks and others. CHAPTER XXXI. December 31, 1893. I have passed a very busy year. On the 1st of January met in uniform at the War Department and marched over to the President's house with the Army officers assembled there, shaking hands with the President and Cabinet ladies and meeting old friends as usual whom I had not seen for years, after which I made the usual calls on the Cabinet and my citizen friends. Just before the inauguration of Mr. Cleveland, on the 4th of March, I was appointed on the staff as an aide to Gen. Martin T. McMahon, who was made Grand Marshal for the occasion. On February 25 received the list of aides, who took an active part on the 4th of March, inauguration of the President, from the Capitol to the White House, in one of the worst rain and hail storms I can ever remember of witnessing here, many aides being obliged to retire before the termination of the procession. Col. William Cody (Buffalo Bill), who was also an aide, remained with General McMahon and myself to the last. Leopard, the Arabian stallion presented to General Grant by the Khedive of Egypt, was turned over to me to ride on this occasion by Gen. Edward Beale. Everything passed off successfully in spite of the terrible storm, and the parade was announced as a grand success. As few are aware of how General Beale came in possession of that Arabian stallion, it may be interesting to give the particulars. While General Grant was on his tour around the World the Khedive was very anxious to do something for him, and selected two of the finest-bred and handsomest Arabian stallions in his dominions, tendering them to the ex-President. After figuring the expense of getting his horses to this country, General Grant declined the present, with a polite note saying that he had no way of getting them shipped to America. Shortly afterwards, meeting General Beale, who was minister to Austria, he mentioned the circumstances to him, when he reminded General Grant that such fine-bred horses could not be purchased with money, and that if he would agree to give him one of them on their arrival in this country he would pay expenses of shipment for both. General Grant agreed to the proposition, immediately dispatching one of his party to the Khedive with the information that he had discovered a way of getting the horses to America, and would gladly accept them. After their arrival here one was sent to Missouri and the other retained by General Beale, who was minister to Russia at the time of General Grant's tour around the world. The following is one of the cards sent to each member of General McMahon's staff: General Committee. Executive Committee. James L. Norris, Chairman. Inaugural Ceremonies, Headquarters Grand Marshal, Maj. George A. Armes: Sir-I am directed by General Corbin to request that you report to him by return mail the probable date of your arrival in this city and your address while here; also that you will report and register your arrival at General McMahon's headquarters. General McMahon's headquarters will be at Room 243, War Department (Colonel Corbin's office) until March 2, and at 1425 New York avenue on and after March 3. Sash, saddle-cloth, etc., for aides will be ready at 1425 New York avenue on March 2. Respectfully, (Signed) J. T. FRENCH, JR., First Lieut., Fourth Artillery, Aide. It having been reported to me that Governor Beaver was endeavoring to prevent my appointment on the staff of the Grand Marshal, I sent him a letter on February 7 to find out the truth of the report, receiving the following reply: Capt. George A. Armes, Bellefonte, Pa., February 11, 1893. 1405 F Street, Washington, D. C. : Dear Sir-Your letter of the 7th inst. was received by me this morning on my return home after several days of absence. I have nothing whatever to do with the exercises attending the inauguration of Hon. Grover Cleveland as President of the United States on the 4th of March next. I have not been consulted by anyone upon the subject, nor have I directly or indirectly said or done anything in connection with the exercises and ceremonies attending that event. In fact, your letter is the first intimation which I have had of a personal kind that there is to be such a ceremony. I regret that an unfounded report has caused you any uneasiness whatever. I have never had the slightest desire to do you any injury in any possible way, and if I had ever had, such a disposition would have long since passed, your letter being necessary to recall you even to mind. Very respectfully yours, Janus Alcant I have not been idle during the past year, trying to secure my appointment as Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel. Have called on the Secretary of War and the General of the Army on a number of occasions and written a large number of letters, highly endorsed, but having failed to receive justice, do not propose to give up trying. CHAPTER XXXII. January 1, 1894. Dressed in full uniform this morning. Met many of my old Army officer friends at the War Department and marched to the White House at 11.20 with General Schofield and staff in the lead. Shook hands with Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland. Afterwards made the usual calls on my citizen friends. Gordonsville, Va., January 2, 1894. Spent most of last evening with Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler at the Shoreham, and after attending to some things at the office accepted the invitation of Senator Charles J. Faulkner to attend. his wedding at Hampton, Va. I left on the 11 P. M. train for Hampton, and am now waiting to change cars at this place. Fortress Monroe, Va., January 3, 1894. After waiting nearly three hours at Gordonsville last evening. I boarded the Richmond train, arriving here at 8 o'clock this A. |