Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-09-22
The Dedicatoy Ceremonies Performed in a
Drenching Ranstorm.
Meonan Hall Crowded in the Evening I,
Hear the Grafton.

Leaden. pitiless skies. with not a rift of
blue or hint of sunshine to gladden. the anx-
ious eyes that gazed upward. hung like pail
over the city yesterlay-the day set apart
for the dedication of the beautiful monument
erected in honor of the gallant sons of Augusta
who gave their life for country. The
rain was bitter disappointment to those who
had labored so long and so earnestly to make
the dedication of the monument an imposing
and memorable event in local history, and who
hoped for fair weather to aid them in carry
ing out their plans. Thousands of people
from all over the State fixed upon
Thursday as day on which to visit
Augusta, witness the impressive ceremonies
at the monument, view the encampment of
the Maine Militia, and inspect the objects Of
interest in our fair city. As it was the morn
| ing trains from north and south were laden
people poured into town in private convey
ances. The 'Della Collins" came from Bath
crowded with passengers. Five thousand
must have been added to our population
| Thursday forenoon. Water street was
almost impossible so dense was the throng
and hotel corridors, halls and stores were
full of people waiting for the sun to peep out
| from behind his cloud mask and illumine
the stormy skies with his effulgence.
| On account of the elaborate preparations
L l.
circulated all over the State, it was wisely
decided to proceed with the ceremonies, even
if it became necessary to abandon the idea of
procession. At l o'clock Major General
Chamberlain, who was holding the entire
Militia in readiness to participate in the
parade, was relieved by order of the Chief
Marshal, and an order was issued informing
the troops that owing to the inclement
weather they would not be required to march
through the mud and ram. This cut off the
most brilliant feature of the procession. The
two regiments in their glittering uniforms,
the mounted battery, and the two superb
regmental bands would have formed mag
nificient pageant. The Grand Army Posts,
fire companies and bands remained in tenn
porary quarters waiting for the signal to form
in line if the heavens should clear.
BY noon the rain had ceased to such de-
gree that it was thought best to march to the
monument and perform the dedication cere-
monies, and postpone the orations until even
ing when they could be delivered in Meonian
Hall The procession started in the follow.
ing order:
Chief Marshal.
Aids. Aids. Aids, Aids. Aida
Augusta Band
Detachment Of Ordnance from Kennebec Arsenal
Sergt. James Barrett. commander.
Seth Williams Post. Augusta, 90 men, Capt.
s. u Lane, commander.
Continental Band.
Bosworth Post, Portland, 81 men, q. n. Abbott
commander.
Heath Post, Gardiner, 40 men, Gustavus Moore,
commander.
West Waterve Band.
W. ). Heath Post, Waterville. 40 men, Charles
John B. Hubbard Post. Hallowell, IS men, D. B.
Lowe, commander.
Burnside Post, Auburn. ~ men. Thomas TYRE. com.
mander.
Cutler Post, Lewiston. d. p. Field commander.
v. Mountford Post. Brunswick, David Coombs,
commander.
Hildreth Post, So Gardiner, Sc men.
Drum Corps.
sed ksS., Post; Bath + snpe commander
A. H. Frost Post Winthrop. franklin Wood. CON-
mander.
National Home Band.
Cutler Post, Togus. 200 men, George N. Jenkins
commander.
Drum Corps.
Fire companies:
Tiger, No. !, Hallowell.
Heca, Pittston.
Fire King, South Gardiner.
Continental Hook and Ladder Company, Gardiner,
Alert Hose Company. Gardiner.
Carriages.
In the carriages were the president of the
day, Gen. Seiden Conner; the orator, Gen.
John L. Swift of Boston; Gov. Harris NJ.
Plaisted and staff; Maj. Gen. Chamberlain
and staff; State officials; Gen. w. s. Tilton,
Governor National Soldiers Home; Major
J. p. Farley, U. S. A.; Mayor p. o. vickery
and city officials, officers and building COM
mittee of the Monument Association; clergy.
men; invited guests and citizens
The procession moved up Bridge street to
State, down State to Winthrop, up Winthrop
to Sewall, through Sewall to Green, down
Green to State, down State to Monument
Park, where the various organizations we're
massed around the monument.
The rain was now falling furiously upon
the unprotected heads Of the great crowd
around the monument A speakers stand
had been constructed near the monument,
decked with hags. in which the Governor.
Mayor and other gentlemen sought refuge.
The storm, of course, interfered with the
effect Of the ceremonies, but the procession
bravely stood in the rain while the beautiful