The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-08-17
CENTENNIAL LETTER.
(From our Special Correspondent.)
Phila., Aug, Eth, 1876

Phila., Aug, 18th, 1876.
DEAR SIR.-Since my last writing,
has occurred the great event of the
Centennial year in this city, L refer to
the grand parade of National Guard Of
Pa, which paraded ten thousand
strong on the 10th inst. Orders were
issued for every command to be in readi-
ness at one o'clock p. NJ. of Thursday
but the increasing heat caused many
commanders to question the propriety
of bringing the men out for q march on
the hot pavements of the city. Gov
Hartranft ever watchful and careful OF
his command, ordered a meeting of the
Surgeons of the various commands
and it was for them to decide whether
or not the people should witness the
promised display. After a long con-
sultation a majority of the medicine
men voted the weather favorable, and
the troops prepared accordingly The
Philade phia e. Reading r. r.. trans
ferred the various divisions to the city
where at the appointed time the line
commenced to form on Broad st. the
left resting in front of themasonic tenn
pie near Market st. and the right on
Columbia Avenue, forming double
line two and one-fourth miles in length.
AS the line formed the sun seemed to
put on its brightest face, and the heat
was fearful. Regiments would form in
the line, stack arms and retreat to the
west side of the street which was
shaded, and mounted officers were soon
ready to dismount and seek shelter from
old Sol. The citizens deficd the heat
and thousands lined the streets where
the line formed and along the expected
line of march, and windows, balconies,
and every available point from which
view of the street could be obtained
held a full quota of faces. About five
O'Clock the line was complete, and the
order to fall in was heard and the
stacked arms were soon in position
and the forward movement commen.
ced, a company .of police at the front.
The movement began at the extreme
right of the column, each Regt.,
wheeling to the left by company and
moving down Broad st. along the
front of the line, each regiment wheel
ing into its position as soon as the one
on its right had passed it's front. 1t
was nearly two hours from the time
the move began, before the extreme
left was in motion. Gov. Hartranft
and staff reviewed the troops. AS the
left flank moved into column a friendly
cloud passed between the poor soldiers
and the sun and, bravely maintained
its position during the entire march,
greatly diminishing the distress of
those in full dress uniforms. Thelines
moved down Broad st. to Chestnut,
down Chestnut to Third, up Third to
Market and up Market to Broad,
where the line was broken ana the
tired militia dispersed. The streets
along the line of march were in full
| holiday costume, and the people were
everywhere waiting and watching fol
some extra display of military disci
pline. Applause commenced when
the first company moved and con-
tinued along the entire line of march
If the Philadelphians didn't 6liste,
their hands that day, they must have
hardened them. The display was
grand, and Pennsylvania may we'll be
proud of its N, G p. few men fell out
of the ranks overcome by the heat, but
there was not one serious case of sun
stroke. The parade was grand sue
cess in point of numbers and appear
rnce.
1t is still hot but not quite up to th'
old point of July.
Win give you more Centennial ant
less military in my next.
Yours &c,
S. r. 3