The Bennington daily banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1877-1877, 1877-08-20
The Procession Of the 15th-A Resume.

The Procession OF the 15th-A Resume.
The booming of cannon and the ringing Of
church bells opened the days festivities al
sunrise. The uniformed militia of our own
State. New Hampshire and Connecticut, and
the army of veterans in Camp Ethan Allen
were early astir. and Mt half past nine march.
ed to the foot of County street, where the
procession was formed under the direction
of Maj. A. B. Valentine, Chief Marshall, his
staff and efficient corps of Division Marshals
This was the most imposing procession ever
seen in Vermont, and was only surpassed by
that of Thursday In point of numbers and
distinguished men participating. Various
estimates have been made as to its length
but we select Us the most probable that II
was over two miles long, and numbered at O
fair estimate 1000 people, while it was wit.
messed by fully $4,000.
The duty Of eseOrting the State officials and
other civic dIgnitaries fell to the first req.
ment, national guard Of Vermont, splendid
body of men, 700 strong, which presented O
fine appearance in their gray and white uni
form. Then came the governor of the state
the executive committee of the Bennington
battle monument association, and the Yer
mont centennial commission and invited
guests in fourteen carriages.
The second division was headed by the Put
nam Phalanx of Hartford, Ct. in their pic
turesque uniform OF the Revolutionary Pc
Rod, followed by the New Hampshire troops,
consisting of the AmoslSeag veterans, Mai
Wallace Portsmouth heavy artillery. Capt.
Vaughn. 45 men; State capitol guards of
Concord, Capt. Felt So men; Hinsdale
guards, Capt. HOsford, IS men; Manchester
war veterans, Capt. Dodge. 80 men, escorting
the state officers of New Hampshire, and the
city government of Manchester,
The third division. was under Col. Hooker
of Brattleboro, with an immposIng staff OF
mounted officers. This division was one of
the finest features Of the procession, COM
posed as it was of the war veterans of Yer
mont in their everyday attire. rough and
ready for duty in the hour of their cOuntry's
danger. The first brigade, embracing the
southern county battalions, numbered about
900 men; the second, Col Butterfield, was
800 strong; the third, Col. Tracy, from Rut-
land and Addison counties, 1876 men; and the
fourth, made up Of the yeomanry of Wash
ingtOn. Orange, LamOile, Orleans, Essex and
Caledonia counties, 600 str9ngl making a
total of 1900 men. Particular attention was
attracted by Col Rockers staff, which in
cluded the leading men of Windham county.
Their uniform consisted of black froek.coat,
red sash, black soft hat, gilt cord and black
pants.
When the procession began the line of
march, every available point Of observation
along the line was occupied by enthusiastic
spectators. The waving Of flags. the buyzas
from the crowd, and hearty welcome. poured
forth from both old and young were ac-
knowledRed by the veterans in oft-repeated
cheers. The appearance Of the Vermont
veterans drew cheer upon cheer and tue en-
thusiasm reached its climax Yben q body Of
800 with banner inscribed "SpuRky La
moileD was seen. Along School, Main, Sill
yer, Union, South and other streets the taste
full displays were almost innumerable. Upon
every hand were to be seen flags Of all ma
tions, aud arches bearing patriotic notices
The music from the bands playing old fash
toned tunes. as the pageant moved along.
resounded through the lofty sides Of the sur
rounding mountains Gov. Fairbanks rode
in alandeau drawn by four magnificent bay
horses. and among the other distinguished
persons in the procession were the Governors
Of Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
Gen. Hawley Gen. Banks and Richard Froth-
ingham,
When the procession arrived at the en-
trance TO the centennial fields, where an inn
mense crowd had gathered, it divided upon
entering, the military forming on the right
of tho center, and the civilians upon the left