River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-06-07

Decoration day was observed with unu-
sual interest in many places, mo'tly under
directions of the grand army of the repub-
lie. AT Washington, in addition to the
usual ceremonies at Arlington Heights, inn
pressive ceremonies were held at the Sol
diers' home and in them Gen. w. T. Sher-
man, Postmaster General Gresham, Chief
Justice Waite, Justice Stong, Generals Stur-
gis, Ayers, Ingalls, and Rosecrans, Col.
Batchelder and a number Of ladies, wives
and widows of prominent officers and de-
tachments of regular troops pa
tcpated together with the grand army
posts. The exercises included prayer, mu-
sic, reading of poem by Consul Byers, au-
thor of tne song Sherman's March to the
Sea, and the delivery of az orstion by ex
Justice William Strong OF the United States
supreme court. In New York the day was
celebrated as never before On the plaza
on which were seated President Arthur, Sec
rotary Chandler and Secretary Folger, Attor-
ney General Brewster Major Genera,
Hancock and staff Mayor Edison, Briga-
der General Baron. DIR. Trolley and Gov.
Ludlow, New Jersey, with Gen. Weston,
Gen. Spencer and mauy Others of promi-
hence, who reviewed the procession. The
procession was decidedly the largest seen in
New York in many years. 1t was two
hours and quarter passing given point,
and presented an almost endless succession
of changing colors and forms. Over 10000
people visited Greenwood cemetery.
In s. Paul, there was one of the longest
and finest Decoration day professions that
has been seen for many years. There were
at least 2, 900 men in line, and some place
the number as high as $500 The police
platoons at the head were in charge of Chief
Weber and numbered thirty-four men, in
GLIDING two sergeants. The first division
nailitary-Was in command of Colonel Bend.
The regulars in line were Companies and
T, Twenty fifth infantry; and were accom-
panied by the Fort Smelling
band. The battalion was
in command of Col. Lawson, were also acted
-as captain oil company, Capt. Stivers being
in command OF F. company. There were
forty men in each company. This tetach-
ment of regulars attracted great attention,
the men, being colored and in fine disci-
pline-companies c, D and E. M. N G.,
which followed with the First Regiment
band, turned out in good numbers and for
the first time upon parade the boys wore
their new uniforms.
The second division included the tive
Grand Army posts, Garfield and Acker,
which mustered together about ei ghty vet
erans Between the two posts was a carri-
age containing the decorating committee
eighteen young ladies, daught rs Of ex-
soldiers. dressed in red, white and blue, and
wearing liberty caps. TIE Catholic soeie-
ties forming the body of the third d.
vision turned out In very fun ranks
and made an excellent appearance.
AT least 5000 people were r. Oakland
cemetery: The ceremonies wera as usual
or such occasions.
In Minneapolis there was also . grand
procession of military and civic organizes
lions, and a very superior address from
Hon @. II. Benton.
Decoration day was observed in Stlllwa-
ter in the usual manner, save that the apnu-
al address, which has heretofore been given
at Fairyiew cemetery, was delivered atSouth
Saltwater by r. Rlddel, a Baptist preacher
of ST. Paul, known as the boy major, hav-
ing attained that rank before he was TWEEN
ty-one-
In all other large towns in the northwest,
from which reports have cone, the day was
appropriately observed.