Bio: Redmond, George K. (50^th Anniversary Celebration-Gettysburg Veterans - 1913)

Contact: Ann Stevens

Email: ann@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Redmond, Brothers, McGovern, Salsman, Cronin, Seaman

----Source:  Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.)  July 3, 1913

Redmond, George K. (50^th Anniversary Celebration-Gettysburg Veterans - 3 Jul 1913)

Friday night Geo. K. Redmond and Phillip Brothers left for Chicago where they joined the Wisconsin delegation of Gettysburg veterans which went to Gettysburg, Pa., to attend the fiftieth celebration of one of the most important battles of the Civil War.  The Wisconsin delegation of veterans is 300 strong and they go at the expense of the state, the legislature having appropriated $15,000 to defray the expense of the trip.  The veterans will be under the charge of Gov. McGovern, who represents the state; Col. John Salsman, adjutant general; Col. W.J. Cronin, aide de camp; and Major Gilbert E. Seaman, surgeon of the Wisconsin National Guard.  The veterans will camp at Gettysburg in tents of eight men capacity and the entire trip will take about two weeks.

The weather for the past week has not been very favorable for such a trip as the intense heat will no doubt have its effect upon the old soldiers, but every precaution is being taken for their comfort and health.  Some of the veterans who have undertaken the trip are well along in years and it is probable that the average age of the old soldiers will be close to 65.  A recent statistical report of the pension bureau shows that 70 per cent of the Civil War veterans are between the ages of 65 and 70.  There are 385,520 pensioners.  Of this number 9 per cent are between the ages of 62 and 65; 35.9 per cent between the ages of 66 and 69; 34.7 per cent between the ages of 70 and 74; 20.5 per cent between the ages of 75 and 103 years.  Average age is 70.7 years.