The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-13
The OLD Guard ON Parade.
THE AIRING OF THE yErERANs-sIo TRANSIT
rpni. Correspondence Army and Navy Journal


TPnis Correspondence Army and Navy Journal
have Just returned from assisting at mil
fairy review and parade of a body OF troops not
exceeding forty, rank and file, but which, never
theless, was viewed by me with greater interest
than the sweeping masses Of battalion, squadron
and battery under which the field Of LOngchamps,
not long ago. trembled In honor OF the Austrian
monarch. For the two score warriors 10 question,
clad in quaint and threadbare uniform. with sill
veTed hair, STOPPING form and doubtful step, con-
sttute nearly all upon which the sun still shiaes
of the once mighty hosts of the first Napoleon.
Passing through the Place Vendome, wherein are
established the post headquarters OF The city, my
attention was attracted TO some unfamiliar mi
forms grouped IN front OF the corps de garde,
and soon there advanced upon me through
q e foz 80 striking figure that at once decided
that here was matter which required investga-
ton. II was that Of a white bearded veteran 10
the full costume of drum major OF tue UteAe
qarde close blue coat with scarlesfacings-cream.
colored waistcoat and breaches, with high garsers,
buttonDg up 10 the thigh, scarlet epaulets or
wings with one row Of gold lace, towering bear
skin with his nOdding plume. and the sabre sup
ported by sn embroidered shouldeT-oelt, bearing
the plate with the miniature drumsticks, the ms G.
MIA OF Office. Armed with his enormous cane or
baton, with its gold pommel, the old-iss-sr---s ed
up and down, apparently in anxious expectation
OF some arrival-and soon in effect, there appeared
from three different directions three ancient drum
mers in similar uniform, each with his instrument,
who a. once fell into line before their chief.
II the hour had been midnight, and ths Hight
that of the moon, could not have dolbted that
the spectral review described Dy the Germsa
poet was about to take place. AS 1t was applied
20 q gendarme for Information. | learned tina
twice q year, on the 9Th Of Nay and the 10th OF
December, the respective anniversaries of the
emperor's death, and the reception 10 France OF
his remains, an association OF the survivors OF his
Grand Army parade in their old uniforms, aad
with overwhelming ranks, to visit the tomb, the
Vendome column, and 10 hearmass at the Invalides.
This, then was no theatrical costume or got
mp" character, but the real, original, and no mis-
take. Simon-Pure hmself-no Representation OF
the "Old Guard" but the Old Guard. in tangible
flesh, blood and buttons, in Paris streets. On
nearer inspection observed how threadbare was
the old mans coat, though the buttons were
bright-that the majestic bearskin was rusty and
brown with age at the top. and above all, thai
the brooches once fitting close to stalRart limb
were already " a world too wide for his shruuk
shank" But the familiar word aud attitude OF
command seemed 10 inygOrate him like draft
of wine. and he welded bis heavy staff with
expected vim as he brought out a smart roll from
his three drums as the signal to fall in" Ana
the company which assembled in obedience to
this signal ID no discredt to their field music.
Infantry, artillery and cavalry uniforms we're
seen in various stages Of dilspdation, the officer
10 command being a lieutenant of the guard. OF
course they carried no pieces, but at the word OF
command upsheathed and brought TO the carry
the short sabre which. at that time. was worn by
the infantry soldier. Cooked or three cOrnered
hats, bearskins, cavalry helmets, aud the old top.
heavy shake Of line regiments covered the
white locks and shining pates OF the rather IN
steady ranks which, II would seem nearly for the
lasttime, answered to the long roll of their drum
mers. To march by front would have beer
rather too much 20 sttempt so facing 10 the righ
by the old fashioned command they stepped OF
In two ranks flor the doubling of files was o
course unknown in their day.. aud keeping stsI
certainly as well as the average of the red leg
OF the present army. filed istO the center OF TN
place. and around the column commemorative o
former glory. 1t Is needless to say that guard
were turned cut as they passed and arms pre-
scented, drums beating "aux champs" and th
chasseurs' bugles playing the march.