Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-10-24
The Parade at Yorktown.
From the New York Tribune.


At the head ride four trumpeters heraldine
the approach of General Hancock and staff.
The gallant veteran Of the Mexican war, and
of all the Virginia campaigns from 1861 to
1868, dismounts with the ease and grace Of a
Young cavalry lieutenant, after he has sa-
luted and passed the stand, and comes to
take his place beside the President. The
Hrst troops in the column are the regular
heavy artillery companies, who carry mus
kets and march with admirable steadiness.
Next come the regula. Infantry companies.
and after them the regular Marine Corps,
only distinguished from the Infantry by their
white belts and yellow chevrons. But who
are those fellows in round caps, blue jackets
and loose trowsers? They carry muskets
and march, save for n little sea roll in their
gait, with almost as much steadiness as the
regulars. They are the sailors from the
feet showing that they can be soldiers at q
pinch as well as any landsmen. big bat
talon Of them passes with the rear brought
I'D by the boat howtzer squads dragging
their pieces by long ropes. The next ques-
tons on the reviewing stand are about the
large detachment of drizzing old men in
dark blue. Only one platoon carries guns.
The rest keep their places with evident effort
and lose them for q minute when the order
double quick sets their old legs in unaccus-
toned motion. old soldiers those, whose
warfare was long since over. They come
from the National Asylum at Hampton. Be
fore the volunteers begin to pass there is a
little interude which enables us to look over
the field and see that the column of regulars
has turned of at right angle and that its
head 10 already out of sight in little valley
a mile away. Foremost of the volunteers,
and in the place of honor, comes the Chatham
Artillery OF Georgia, the oldest organization
in the parade. 1t dates from 1856, and its
brass guns were east in 1850 Gray and
scarlet are the coors. The New Jersey
battalion of picked companies from the diff
ferent regiments Of the State wins applause
by its handsome appearance and its short
and wonderfully accurate marching step.
After a small battalion from Delaware we
greet the Pennsy lvania detachment, a full regi-
ment wearing long blue overcoats and perfect
ly equipped for active field service, even to
haversacks, canteens and coffee cups The
old soldiers on the reviewing stand are de-
lighted with these troops. THAT looks like
business, exclaims Adjutant- General Town
send OF New York, clapping his hands Wig
orously. A white-coated band and a hand
some staff of mounted officers lead on the
9th Massachusetts. one of the best marching
and beat looking regiments in the whole line.
Ii would be hard to choose between it and
the crack Baltimore regiment, the 5th Mary
land, which follows it. The eyes of the
German officers on the stand sparkle with
enthusiasm at the sight Of these two splendid
bodies of soldiers. Room for South Carolina
now, whose martial ardor was not dampened by
her defeat in the Rebellion. Her young men
take naturally TO soldering. She has ten com.
panies here which lack nothing but similarity
Of uniform to rank among the finest com
msnds on the ground. One of them carries
the historic Eutaw battle flag. These three
companies of tall. dark blue fellows who fol-
low South Carolina are from New Hampshire
and next come Virginia's splendid array with
General Fitz Hugh Lee at the head. a squad
ron Of cavalry, four regiments OF gray infan-
try, including the cadets from the Lexington
military school, and a number of unattached
companies. The Virginia column ends with
the companies of colored troops, who get
more applause than any other organization.
The handsome white and scarlet Boston Ca
diets, who arrived too late to get in line with
the other Massachusetts, troops. are sand
wiched in between two of the Virginia brig
AIDES not = bad arrangement, though an ac-
cidental one, recalling as it does the early
association of the two States in the war for
Independence.
New 1ork - next IN order. led by Doda-
worth's Band. The Brooklyn regiment with
its neat gray uniform and its light, quick
and regular marching step need not fear
comparison with any troops in the column.
Next to it is Company of the 7ath and
Company ID Of the 65th, both from Buffalo
North Carolina proves to be second only to
Virginia among the Southern States in the
number Of her troops, but she has too much
variety Of uniform for the best effect. Rhode
Island is creditably represented by two Prov
idence companies, and Vermont by one from
Brattleboro and st. Adams. A Kentucky
battalion of five companies follow then the
solid men of Michigan, nine companies
strong, who look and march like Regulars.
We have had all sorts of tunes from the diff
ferent bands, but none more appropriate than
the air which the Connecticut band is play
ing. The Connecticut regiment arrived only
this morning, just in time to reach the field
and fall in at the rear Of the volunteer col
umn. Its hardness turns out to be fortunate,
however, for its excellent appearance and
good marching make . capital finish to the
infantry column. The rear is closed by two
regular batteries OF light artillery. which
wheel of upon the crest of ridge half a
mile away, unlimber and fire a salute to close
tho narnde