Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-05-23
From Our Regular Correspondent
Washington Letter
WARRINGTON, MAY, IS, g

The fourteenth reunion of the army OF
the Potomac has just been held in Wash
ington. Every condition affecting the
event was perfect Wednesday. the 10Th.
instant. was peerless day for pageantry.
The fresh bracing air was rightly temper
ed by the bright May sunshine. The sky
was blue, and the city was radiant in its
fresh spring garnituro of green. The
broad saphalt had been washed as clean
as floor by the heavy rains of the pre-
vious day, nature having conspired, SEEM
ingly, with human effort, to make the
gala day uncxceptionable in every partic-
ular. Every quarter of the city presented
animated scenes. Flags and streamers
f1oated on the breeze; hotels were bust
| ling centers, whose interior as well as
exterior decorations proclaimed that they
entertained soldiers. Every train brought
new arrivals, who found old comrades
waiting 10 welcome them, and committees
were busy telling the strangers where to
60 and whit to do. Many private resi-
dences along the route of the procession
were tastefully decora ted with banners,
and the sidewalks were thronged with
spectators, who literally applauded the
old soldiers, and cheered at the SIGHT of
empty sleeves and the hating steps of
hose who had lost leg. Now and then
n veteran was seen on crutches, who man
aged to keep up with the procession. The
local soldiery, with their we'll drilled
lines, military bearing. and bright uni
forms, contributed brilliant and impos-
ing feature, of the parade while the old
soldiers gave it touching and dramatic
effect.
This surviving remnant of the army of
he Potomac was treading in the footsteps
of the departed ones, who, eighteen years
ago, marched in review down Pennsylvan
ia avenue under their illustrious command
der and others whose names are even now
historical. The veterans made Il fine
looking body, but most of them of course,
are on the shady side of life, and feeble
looking, with bent figures and silvered
heads Many had lost leg. an arm, a
hand or an eye, and others were disig-
ured in various ways by wounds. But few
of them would be physically able to endure
military service now, though two decades
have not yet passed since they were al
sturdy soldiers, with elastic step and erect
forms. The columns formed on the avenue
in the vicinity Of treasury department,
and at the firing of the signal gun he
troops wheeled inpo line, and moved in
the following orders FIRST, detachment
OF mounted police; artillery; Washington
light infantry; national riffs he .ded by |
marine band; national rifles cadets; high
'chool cadets; army of the Poomac headed
ny Gen Humphreys and his staff; union
veteran corps; and veteran corps cadets,
followed by many smaller organic lions
The famous war eagle. Old Abe, now
) utfed, was born aIoft in the process ion,
with the tramp of m irching columns 10
,he sound of familiar strains of martiaI
music, something of the old time enthu.
'lasm was revived The president with
party of distinguished men, foreign minis.
ers and ladies, reviewed the procession
rom grand stand erected on the pave.
nent in front of tho White House grounds.
The president wore black dress coat,
md dark blue cravat. AS each INSTALL
net of the parade passed the stand, he
emoved his tall silk hat and bowed :
lightly. On his right sat Secretary Lin.
In, pale, dIgnifled and handsome; and
len. She' man h a"y and Eomely, but
howlng much OF he vitality and vivaciiy
II II younger man. As the representa- ion
# the grand army of the republic passed
Marching through Georgia" was played
" fife and drum, to which Gen Sherman {
esponded by raising his hat, whi,e he
nvountarily kept time with the music
With his foot He exchanged mrny recog-
itions with veterans as the army of the
potomac marched by the stand.