3. Homes-number and condition. I. Two Homes-one at Bath for men only, and one at Oxford for men and their wives. 2. None. 3. None. 4. None. 5. None. 6. $40,980 reported by Post Quartermasters, but this does not comprise all, as local authorities appropriate funds under a State law for indigent soldiers and their families. 4. Schools. I. Is general, and this year has been observed to a greater extent than in any former year since Memorial Day was instituted. 3. Yes. 5. Public: 2. Yes. J. Yes, although the day is given over, to a great extent, to measures not in keeping with its sacred import. 3. In this Department five Posts have associate members. 1. Condition of Department Headquarters: The Department Headquarters are in first-class condition, well equipped with furniture, fixtures and supplies necessary for the proper transaction of matters in detail connected with the Department. The affairs are conducted in the most thorough and business like manner. The records are models of perfection and neatness. 2. Observance of Memorial Day: With each annual recurrence of Memorial Day, the observance is becoming more general, not only by the Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic, but patriotic citizens and civic societies and military organizations in every city, town, village and hamlet in this Department vie with the Grand Army in paying tribute to the memory of our brave, gallant and illustrious dead-the children of the public schools have been enlisted in this kindly remembrance and patriotic duty and assist in strewing flowers upon the graves of our dead comrades and chant solemn requiems and national anthems. Thus new lessons of patriotism, love of country, and a sublime veneration for our noble dead are each year being inculcated. 3. Official visita tions: A great many camp fires and reunions have been held throughout this Department during the past year. The Department Commander and his corps of assistants have been assiduous in the performance of their various duties. Official visitations have been made in almost every district in this department—and in every instance the Department officials have been received in that spirit of Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty that characterizes the Grand Army of the Republic. 4. New Posts Established: Notwithstanding the summit of our numerical strength has long since been passed, and year by year our ranks are being reduced in numbers, it is my very pleasant duty to report that four (4) new Posts have been established in this Department with an aggregate membership of ninety-nine (99) added to our number. Although a very small increase, it marks a degree of zeal and activity on the part of our Department officers most commendable. 5. Business of National Import at last Encampment: At the last meeting of the Department Encampment a resolution was unanimously adopted recommending the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, as the place for holding the National Encampment for 1898. Since that time, at Buffalo, N. Y., the wishes of the Grand Army in this Department, together with the wishes of the citizen's committee representing the city of Cincinnati have been presented to the National Encampment and accepted. 6. General condition of Department: While the Department officers have been unable fully to accomplish desired objects and aims, the general condition is very flattering indeed. The financial condition is excellent. There has been a large falling off in membership during the last six months on account of suspensions, yet the records show only an actual net loss of eleven since the close of the term ending June 30, 1897. The losses sustained by suspensions have been largely overcome in the following manner: When the present administration assumed charge of affairs in this Department June 30, 1897, there were seventy-seven Posts delinquent, some of them not having made reports for more than five years. The efforts put forth to revive these delinquent Posts have been substantially rewarded, and fifty-five Posts have been reclaimed and placed in good standing, and 1,155 names have been readded to our membership during the year. The report made to the Adjutant General for the term ending December 31, 1897 showed 675 Posts with a total membership of 30,225 in good standing. Deducting the loss sustained during the last six months on account of suspension, the Assistant Adjutant General of this Department informs me that the net loss sustained as compared with the previous term ending June 30, 1897, is but eleven, making our total membership in good standing at this time 30,214. 7. Burial Grounds: Every effort has been put forth to obtain information relative to the number of burial lots owned by Posts as the final resting places for deceased comrades. The information derived in this respect is very meagre indeed. Cemeteries are located at the several National and State Homes for disabled veterans, and in almost every city and town a place has been set aside for this purpose and designated as the “Soldiers' Burial Lot." I believe that, in this Department, no Union soldier sleeps in a pauper's grave. 2. Auxiliary Organizations. 1. Sons of Veterans: From the Assistant Adjutant General I learn that there are at the present time 107 camps, a gain of 35 camps since December 31, 1897. The total in membership is not reported. With the coming of each Memorial Day, this organization unites with the Grand Army of the Republic in paying tribute of respect to the memory of our heroic dead. It is, however, a sad commentary to note the fact that fewer than 2,000 names are enrolled upon the roster of this organization, especially so, since this Department gave nearly 300,000 brave and loyal men for the perpetuity of our National Government. 2. Woman's Relief Corps: At the Fourteenth Annual Convention of the Woman's Relief Corps, June 15 and 16, 1897, the report submitted was as follows: 309 Corps were reported in good standing with a membership of 11,134 Total number of soldiers and their families assisted during the year, 7, 196 Cash expended for relief by Corps. Value of relief other than money. Total. . Cash balance in Relief Fund $8,156.34 Cash donations from Corps to the various Homes in the State. $4.429.36 10,613.06 754.98 The work of the Woman's Relief Corps in this Department cannot be estimated nor computed by figures given in reports. Theirs is necessarily a labor of love, kindly ministering to the needy, the destitute and the dying. The present number of Corps as reported to the Assistant Adjutant General of this Department shows a large falling off from the previous year, 265 Corps have been reported in good standing. Their total membership has not been given. 3. Ladies of the G. A. R. The Department of Ohio has had no official correspondence with this organization during the past year, consequently no official information can be given relative thereto. Official visitations and courtesies are exchanged with this organization at each Annual Department Encampment. I learn from unofficial advices that the organization is in a flourishing condition and accomplishes much good work. 1. Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Home. The Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Home for aged and disabled veterans is located at Sandusky, Erie county, Ohio, and is open to Ohio resident soldiers. This Home is operated and controlled by a Board of Trustees, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate of this State. The Home is under the personal supervision of a commandant, General Manning F. Force, an Ohio soldier, who won honor and distinction on the field of battle. He is a gentleman of culture, of literary attainments and an eminent jurist. He is possessed of a kindly, generous and happy disposition, of the ability and capacity to govern the Home and maintain the discipline so necessary for its successful administration. The Home is situated on a tract of land consisting of 300 acres, the greater portion of which is in an excellent state of cultivation. The buildings are constructed of stone of the finest quality taken from quarries on the grounds. The administration building is a large three-story structure most pleasing in its architectural design, supplied with every modern convenience and furnished in the most substantial manner. The other buildings consist of an opera house with a seating capacity for 1,500, a chapel, a library building, two hospitals, a green house, six double cottages, ten single cottages, two handsome frame cottages for the Chaplain and the Home Surgeon and their families and other necessary store houses and farm buildings. Beautiful and well kept lawns dotted with flower beds, shrubbery and forest trees adorn the grounds. Fanned by the breezes of Lake Erie, the atmosphere of the Home is pure and invigorating. This place is a most charming and delightful spot for the veteran in his declining years. The records show 1,530 names on the roll, with 1,267 present. The condition of the Home is excellent. 2. National Soldiers' Home. The Central Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, the largest and finest in the United States, is located at Dayton, Montgomery county, Ohio. This Home is maintained and operated by the General Government, under the direction of a Board of Managers, of which General W. B. Franklin is President. The Home is under the personal supervision of Col. J. B. Thomas as governor, aided by a competent corps of officers. The tract of land comprises about 600 acres, situated on the hills overlooking the Great Miami Valley. The site is beautiful and commanding. The hill tops are crowned with magnificent buildings constructed of brick and stone, consisting of an administration building, a chapel, an opera house, two library buildings, store houses, conservatories and amusement halls. The Veterans' Club house, recently built by the Post fund, is daily crowded with the old soldiers, to whom it has proved a great boon and by whom it is fully appreciated. The grandeur and magnificence of this Home is acknowledged by all. Broad avenues, extensive and well kept lawns, miniature lakes, grottos, deer parks, forest trees, pavilions, and, in season, flowers and tropical plants in profusion, make this place a scene of unsurpassed beauty. The Home is a city, distinctive in its character with a population made up exclusively of old soldiers. The whole number cared for during the year ending June 30, 1897, was 7,037. The average present during the year was 5,979. The year was a healthful one for the members of the Home. During the year 344 comrades answered the last "roll call" and have passed to the further side. The general expenditures for the year ending June 30, 1897, aggregated $699,425.41. The estimate of expense for the year ending June 30, 1898, aggregates $755,715.76. 4. W. R. Corps Home: The National Woman's Relief Corps Home is located at Madison, Lake County, Ohio. It was instituted for the purpose of providing a home and support for "Army Nurses of the late Civil War who, by reason of age or disability, are unable to support themselves, and for the indigent mothers, widows or dependents of union soldiers, sailors and marines of the late war, the word 'dependents' to include sisters, children, or other relatives, with whose care and maintenance such veterans were properly chargeable." This institution is under the management of a Board of Directors, one of whom is elected at the convention of the National W. R. C. every year. The tract of land consists of about ten acres situated not far from the south shore of Lake Erie. The property was deeded to the officers of the Woman's Relief Corps and their successors in office. It is maintained by donations and contributions from the various departments of the Woman's Relief Corps. Large sums of money have been expended in the erection of commodious and substantial buildings and for the improvement of the grounds. By act of the General Assembly of Ohio in 1891, a building known as the "Ohio Cottage" was erected and furnished at the munificent cost of $35,000 and presented to the National W. R. C. Home. The estimated value of the entire property is $65,000. The site of the Home is attractive and beautiful. The buildings and grounds are in excellent condition. The rooms are elegantly and tastefully furnished. Under the guidance of woman's gentle hand contentment and happiness reigns supreme in this Home. The Treasurer's re port of receipts and expenditures for the year ending June 30, 1897, is as follows: Total receipts.. Balance in fund June 30, 1897 $11,781.20 10,257.01 1,524.19 Of the sixty-six inmates present on July 23, 1897, one was over 89 years of age, three were over 85 years of age, seventeen were over 80 years of age, and many others were over 70 years of age. These inmates appeal most strongly to our sympathy, to our generosity, to our love of country. They are of the loyal mothers and the loyal wives of our land who, indeed, gave most, endured most, sacrificed most, that our country might live. 5. Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans Home: The Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans Home, located at Xenia, Greene County, Ohio, is the especial pride of the State. The Home consists of 300 acres, situated |