Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-06-16
BADGER VETERANS.

history has claimed it for its own, one can
look back upon it and realize it's magnitude,
its granduer and its thrilling interest. To
participant it seemed during its continuance
as if the great chasm which separates the
present from the past had been suddenly
bridged over. and as the thousand old
memories flashed over him, with the sight
of each remembered face, or the sound of
the dear familiar old comrades names, pres
emit and past, were blended until the ideal
seemed real. Since the last farewell has
been spoken, and the clasp of comrades
hands become only memory, it seems like
a dream, only the awakened "reminiscences
are still thrilling, and love, yes, love
such as only strong men can feel
for the dear old faithful comrades who have
shared their joys and sorrows, their triumphs
and Disappointment, their plenty and their
privations with them, is still throbbing, and
the gay and magnifcently decorated streets
of glorious old Milwaukee still reminds those
of us who linger of the grand reunion, which
to each veteran has had Its perfect measure
of unalloyed happiness. Whatever mind
conceived, or whatever hands executed the
purpose, the conception and execution were
each like success, and this will forever
stand upon the page of history as the bright
est record the Cream City ever can produce.
Her citizens literally came to the front with
open arms to receive the veterans, their
wives, their sisters, their cousins
and their aunts. Standing within
the open portals of their homes
with hearty welcome for the veterans and
no less cordial greeting for their friends,
and we, as for mile after mile of densely
thronged street was passed where each and
every one seemed yieing with the other in
paying the tribute of respect to the boys who
fifteen years ago finished their work and
laid aside the blue, while countless thou
sand of yards of bunting decorated almost
every inch of available surface, while in
Vulnerable myriads of flags swept out upon
the air, while perfect sea of beauty sur
rounded US, and the air was rent again an d
again by two hundred thousand welcoming
throats as we marched, marched, marched
in the grand review. Why, we felt somehow
queer; as if something we couldn't quite
swallow was rising all the time in our
throats.
In writing of this great event, second to
none of similar character on the continent,
am aware that am review
ing, somewhat it may be, the
reports which the associated press and spe-
cial report has already furnished the readers
of the GLOBE, but no doubt I, as partici-
pant, can supplement little that may be
of interest.
Under the stimulus of President Mitchel's
reduction of railroad fare to point never
reached before by western road, which was
followed also by other lines, and the strong
impulse that seemed to be upon very old SOL
der, Milwaukee filled up to degree never
before witnessed. Upon the reunion camp
ground tents were pitched for ten Thousand
men and here the boys met as of old, officers
and men in social converse reviewing the old
days and welcoming one and another to the
reunion. At the extreme left in the front
line of tents were found the survivors of the
old First cavalry who were able to be present,
and as you passed from tent to
tent along the line, cavalry, infantry and
artillery, regiment after regiment in greater
or less numbers were represented, and
at each step one would encounter strong
men with clasped hands and dim eyes re-
calling the old time friendships. Here
would be seen fine young man in the
flush of early manhood gazing into the face of
some white haired old veteran who was vainly
striving to recall the features of the bow of
eighteen who used to stand beside him in the
ranks fifteen years ago. Here an empty
sleeve; there crutch or wooden leg would
stand, silent witness in memorium Of some
hard fought field.
81 say, Charley, do you remember the day
Mcpherson was killed? We were on the
left, you know, when they came out of the
woods" etc., etc. Or, "The last time saw
you, Jim, was when we were falling back,
and you were lying wounded where you
| fell" were bits of conversation that would
fall upon the ears of visitors as they passed
from tent to tent.
In places some comrade, more thoughtful
than the rest, had prepared bulletin with
the names OF the honored dead upon it,
mute but earneet witnesses of the gallsntry
of his company. One old, gray haired man,
minister, was observed passing through
one of the regiments, taking each man by
the hand and saying: "Boys, do you re-
member my son." giving his namely she
was in your regiment, was captured, taken
to Andersonville, and I have never heard
from him since.'
Amid such scenes as these and the thou
sand happy as well as sad remembrances
called into being by this meeting again after
lapse Of fifteen years, the first half of re-
union week was spent.
On Thursday, the 10th, the grand parade
| which had been postponed on account of
bad weather, was had, and must have been
witnessed to be appreciated. The veterans,
escorted by the militia, and carrying their
old torn battle flags, came out upon the line
| about 10 A. M. The first division, headed by
the old First cavalry, over two hundred
strong, led the advance, its old hattle-aag in
the hands of Indian Steve, four years
veteran, the proudest man in the line. Fol
| lowing them the other cavalry regiments,
then the artillery and then the infantry.
Regimental and company distinctions were
maintained as far as possible.
The white haired veteran, Col. Hsrnden,
commanded the First cavalry, and 80 on
down through the line, the ranking officer
present at the head of his command. The
line of march was over four miles long and
at no one point was the crowd of spectators
larger than at another. Every available
foot of space seemed to be filled with a Gu
rious crowd, eager to see and honor the old
veterans. Ribbons, streamers, flags, and
gay decorations futtered everywhere the eye
could turn, and the rich and the poor, the
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