Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-06-17
The Soldiers Reunion.

coming nome from Chicago we
stopped off at Milwaukee to see the
great reunion. 1t is now fifteen wears
since the close Of the war, but we
presume that was the greatest gaths
erlng of sold .ers since the peace.
The number of visitors at the city
was estimated by some at $50, 900.
This is probably high estimate, but
the crowds were immense. It was
difficult to go through the principal
streets Of the city. The weather was
generally unfavorable. Until We'd
nesday there was much rain, making
it very disagreeable tor exercises at
the camp, and Wednesday and Thurs.
day were excessively hot. The grand
parade and review intended for
Wednesday was postponed until
Thursday, and then was had in the
streets instead OF at the camp. The
procession was composed of several
companies of horsemen, military
bands, militia and cadets uniformed
and armed, Mexican war soldiers and
veterans Of the late war. The uni
formed militia were were we'll drilled
companies from Madison, GAINESVILLE,
Beloit, Ripon, Chicago and other
cities, and they made beautiful dis
play. There were enough of them
with their bands of music to fill, in
the march, the length of about two
squares eight abreast. The old sol.
diers were rather struggling in their
march and looked more like honest
grangers than soldiers, but their
number appeared to be legion. They
followed marked.out line through
the city and halted when the head o.
their procession had passed the New.
hall House. The columns Their
opened, and between them carriage
bearing Generals Grant and Sheridan
was driven the whole length of the
procession.
All the old soldiers had a chance
once more to look upon their world
renowned leader, and the world,
most distinguished cavalryman. Thi,
scene we beheld from the balcony o
the Newhall, standing beside Sat
Clark who was all the while intently
interested in giving information to
fine looking and richly dressed
Southern lady who stood near by. A
fine looking man rode rapidly through
a company of horsemen. "That,'
said Sat. Clark, sis General Hincks
smarter man and a better man thar
either Grant or Sheridan" An ON.
nibus drove by in the line of march
after the people had become i'm
patient for the appearance of Gen
Grant. 1t was jammed full of ole
dodgers. "There," said Sat, calling
the lady's attention to an old gray
head crowded out OF o window Of
the bus, that is General Grant a.
last" A company of negroes wer,
in the march. One of them mad,
himself especially conspicuous by hi
oddities. "That," said Sat. sis SEN
ator Bruce, of Mississippi" Gov. G
c. Washburne was among the caval
rymen. Sitting Cd his horse he made
speech to the soldiers. "That good
looking man beside him, who some
times politely takes off his hat, il
Prince Leopold" said Sat. 1t wa
Doc. Vivian he was pointing out
Continuing his versatile talk afte
while Sat- said, "and there are som,
OF the myrmidons that whipped us.
odd you belong to the Rebs ?" SAT-
the lady. "Yes, this is not m,
crowd" "Well, why didn't you g
down South and give them a whack
she responded. "Oh,I could do NOR
good up here, you know" The lad,
had discovered he was ooddling, ant
she now began to give him back bet
ter than he sent. He had been max
ing the company laugh they sool
began to laugh heartily at his pre-
dicament.
But this is not properly a part OIL
the Soldiers Reunion. That dal
ended the most of it, Soma indeet
had gone home Wednesday night
and from that time on the railroad
could not furnish cars enough :,
take the people away as fast as the,
were ready to go. Scores of boz
cars were provided with seats an,
attached to long trains on ever,
road and still all could not get away
. Staying in Milwauk as a yer,
expensive living, too. All rooms il
the hotels had been engaged befor
the Reunion began. After that 20
could get few hours rest on q 'cnt
for one dollar, ii you paid in ad
vance. The Newhall had 1900 G
these cots hired of the furnitur
dealers at 80 cents for the week
Those who went were moro glad t
get away than to go to the grea
Reunion, and yet the old soldier
enjooed it hugely. 1t was such al
opportunity as they never did hav
and never again can have to recal
war memories with their old com
rades. In reflections both joyou
and soirowful they looked agail
upon their old battle flags, and hac
another day and nights experionc
on The "tented field"
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SUNDAY nipht and Monday oav