The New York herald., 1879-09-18
BATTLE FLAG DAY."

THOUSANDS OF VETERANS IN PROCESSION IN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS UNBoUNDED-THH
CITY ILLUMINATED.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
Hartford, Conn.,. Sept. II. 1879.
Ihe scenes in this city to-day strong re-
minders OF the military pageantry presented during
the days when Connecticut hurrying her regi-
ments to the field But everything was on aerander
scale-soldiery by the thousands and specta-
tors by the tens of thousands. Battle
Flag Day" has furnished spectacle
which has never been equalled in the State.
At reasonable estimate. twenty -nve thousand
visitors are here. at least thousand of whom ars
ex-soldiers.
The city presented q holiday appearance this
morning. The bsnks and many of the larger business
houses closed. the streets were thronged with
spectators. and decorations were everywhere The
main thoroughfare was spanned by three gigantic
arches. covered with bunting. flags. inottoes
and evergreens. At many other points
nAgs were suspended across the streets and along
the line of march business houses private resi-.
dences elaborately decorated. The public park
the rendezvous of the veterans. was transformed
rnr PROCESSION.
Tho militia organizations acting as escort-tho
First regiment of the Connecticut National Guard.
the Putnam Phalanx and the four companies of
Governors Guards (horse and foot)-moved from
their quarters at eleven O'clock and escorted the
civilian guests to their places in the formation OF
the parade Every regiment OF artillery. cav
airy infantry that served in the
well representative First regiment and First
squadron of cavalry, three light batteries. two regi
ments OF heavy artillery and twenty-eight infantry
regiments. Also embraced in this division were the
''naval battalion" the surviving members or the
military staff Of Governor Buckingham (Connecti-
cuts war Go vernor) and company of disabled officers
and soldiers Eighteen bands furnished music for
martial step OF the veterans. About noou amid the
roar OF a national salute. the procession moved.
Every whore the veterans were the recipients OF
packed with spectators. At the arsenal the color
bearers who had received the flags stepped into
place in their respective battaions
FINAL CEREMONIES
At the Capitol the Governor and staff awaited on
a raised platform the coming of the veterans. Ar
irving the regiments formed In line facing the plat
form their colors in the centre). massng in solid
column Of battalions The bands struck up
up the song in an instant. the voices
OF the veterans Joining with those Of the
thousands OF spectators contributed one of the
most inspiring demonstrations OF the day. Chief
Marshal Hawley briefly addressed the Governor.
presenting the flags. and Governor Andrew re-
sponded The color bearers OF the several regiments
were then successfully called forward. and each
two quartet reached the platform they waved
the dags. This was the signal for an artillery roar
and o salute by the combined bands, followed by
three cheers by the assembled veterans.
The flags then borne away into the New
Capitol and deposited in their Upon the
conclusion of this episode, which the closing
of the ceremonies OF the day, several distin-
guished army officers who were on the platform
were called for by the veterans, and among those
responding were Generals Burnside, Schohelds
Franklin, Darlington, Benham and Warren.
The parade beng dismissed the cry OF "Fall in
for rations" summoned the veterans to the large
dining tents, where bountiful dinner served.
This evening there is q grand illumination Of tho
CITY.