New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-31
HONORS TO A NATIONS DEAD
FLOWERS sTROwN ON SOLDIERS GRAvEa
HOW THE DAY SET APART IN HONOR OF THE DEAD

| The observance OF Decoration Day in this
city was more general than for several years.
The heat was tempered by breeze, and did
not interfere with the exercises. Business was
almost universally suspended The parade in
the morning, in which the National Guards,
visiting military organizations and the Grand
Army Posts took part was imposing. The
Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic
visited the cemeteries and decorated the graves
of dead soldiers. In the evening exercises
were held in the Academy of Music, where an
address was made by General Stewart L. Wood
ford. The day was also observed in Brooklyn
and adjoining cities and towns. In Brooklyn
the heat was oppressive
| DECORATION DAY IN THE CITY
| The downtown stores and public buildings vert
closed yesterday and many of the shops uptown
mained open only part of the day. From the city
bnildings from hotels and many private housee
| flags were flying, which with the crowds Of people
wearing their Sunday clothes in the streets gave the
city holiday appearance. There was a large influx
of visitors from the adjoining cities and towns; their
numbers more han making NJ for those who went
out Of town to attend sports and games. The pro-
cession in the morning excited much interest and
J was watched by large concourse of people; in
point Of the number participating and the briliancy
Of the display, il is said TO have surpassed that ofany
former years. The decorations in the cemeteries
were elaborate, and the ceremonies were witnessed
by many people: After the parade in the morning
many persons sought recreation at the thearas and
at other places of amusement, notwithstanding the
heat
At an early hour in the morning groups OF people
in holiday attire began to pass through the cross
streets leading into Ffth-ave.. where they secured
which was to move down the avenue from Forty
second-st. to Washingon-square. The Grand Army
Posts and organizations also astir early, and
formed into line in the streets between Forty
second and Fifteth-sts. Long before the head Of
the procession began to move the crowds along the
line of march became dense that standing-room
scarcely to be found. The high stoops of the
hrownstone houses both sides of the street,
which are particularly well adapted for such occa-
sons, were appropriated without ceremony, eachone
presenting medley of faces summer hats and bon
nets, unsteady umbrellas and parasos aud ilutter-
ing fans.
Those persons who insist upon having brdseye
view, although they bake a tin roof for il, were
TO he here and there the tops of houses with
their heads peering the cornices; other ener-
getic and venturesome persons climbed to the tops
of stone walls, where they stood in imminent dan
ger of falling, their feet thrust in between iron
spikes, with nothing at hand for them to hold to.
Along the curbs, far the eye could see, there
was continuous line of people several rows deep
those at the back continually stretching their necks
TO look over the shoulders of those enjoying posi-
tions in front. At of the street crossings
there were trucks and wagons containing chairs the
seats in the orchestra circle lat the end gae selling
at much, and the prices decreasing i'll graduated
scale to the top gallery at the dashboard, switched
by the horses tails. Small boys Of every grade,
| from the pae-faced heir, in wide collar and red
stockings, to the tanned, dirty. ragged street.
urchin, expended their energy IN keeping up
nccssant wriggling, aud in shouting on the
slightest possible prctext Several lads clung TO the
branches of q tree in front Of the reservoir wall,
like many monkeys, except that they lacked tho
assistance Of prehensilc rear appendage until tho
menace Of a club in the hands Of tall policeman
brought them to the ground.
The yerandas and window seats Of the Union
League clubhouse were filed with members of the
club, with their families and friends. ar the Rut-
gers Female Institute, just above looked less sombrs
than usual with flags huttering from its walls and
women in the windows. The balconies and windows
ofthc Windsor the Brunswick, Dclmonco'st the Fifth
Avenue 81. James and other hotels along the avenue
were also throngcd. At Madison and Union Squarei
the crowd widened INTO great struggling masses,
that taxed the energy of the policemen 10 keep ora
der. At Washington Square. at the left of the drive
that passes through the middle Of the square, neal
the entrance was a reviewing stand, on which were
seated several hundred invited guests and inst op.
posite tier of seats from the ground con-
tanning an equally large number Of spectators.
THE PROCESSION MOVES.
At few minutes before 10 o'clock the head Of the
column began 10 move. The sonnd of martial music
inspired the crowd, and everybody who was not in
"A good position began to stretch his neck and rise
on his toes. detachment of mounted police
led the van Then came General Shaler and his
staff mounted, followed by the 9TH Regiment.
Colonel Clark at liz head The men Of this regiment
wore white caps aud trousers aud marched twenty
one files front, reaching from curb to cnrb Thoss
in positions commanding the avenue saw az
imposing procession reaching as far rs the eye could
see i'm which bayOnets and sabres glanced brightly
in the sun. with here and there the snowy crest OF
an officer riding al the bead of his command. Next
i'm the escort which was composed Of the First D-
vision Of the National Guards, came the 6Jth Reg
imcnt. followed by the sth and list Regiments,
marching in the same order. headed by bands of
music. Following light battery consisting OF sif
guns came the 22d Regiment, whicl as usual. kept
good files and good distances As the fsvorlte reg-
ments passed they were frequently appanded by thd
crowds on each side of the street. Then cana 4
the ath Regiment, which sustained ITS reputation
for looking we'll followed % q visiting reg Tsgimens
pcs looking persons in this part of the procession
were the black men who trndged between the col
umnS carrying buckets ol zee wafer Win faitunS
fin cups attached. grinning at the spectators and
perspirng freely.
After the escort hal gone by the memorial column
came into view, Grand Marshal Edward III, Kent
riding at the head with other officers and aidesde-
camp of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Fifteen Lattlc-lags. among them the battered La
faycttc tag, were carried by a detachment Of the
lst New-Nork Mounted Rifles ~ color guard Neter-
ans of the Sd Regiment, cavalry, riding at thetr
heels Behind military band playing spirited
music came a battalion of the lst and Sd United
states Artillery, the heavy carriages which men
in uniform were seated rattling heavily over the
l.., and alllp