Daily Republican., 1883-05-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Re. Union Of the Army Of the POto.
| mac Our MANNED Defenders.

| From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, May 18th, 1sS3-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 a peer ess day for pagean-
try. The fresh bracing air was rightly
tempered by the bright May sunshine.
The sky was blue, and the city was ra-
diant in its fresh spring garniture of
green. The broad asphalt streets had
been washed clean as floor by the
heavy rains of the previous dav, nature
having c"nspired, seemingly, with hui
man elf,rt to make the gala day unex-
ceptionable in every particular. Every
quarter Of the city presented animated
scenes. Flag and streamers tlOated on
he breeze hotels were bustling cen,ers,
whose interiors as well decorations pro-
claimed that thew entertained soldiers.
Every train brought new arrivals,
who found old comrades waiting to well
come them, and committees were busy
telling the strangers where to 90 and
along the route of the procession were
tastefnlly decorated with banners, and
the sidewalks wtrethrongelwith specta-
tors, who literally applauded the old
soldiers, and cheered at the sight of
empty sleeves and the halting steps of
those who had lost leg Now and then
"a veteran was seen Oh crutches, who
managed to keep mp with the process
sion. The local soldiery, with their
well drilled lines, military bearing, and
bright uniforms, contributed brilliant
and imposing feature of the parade,
while the old soldiers gave it touching
and dramatic effect.
This surviving remnant Of the Army
OF the Potomac was treading in the
footsteps of the departed ones, who eigh-
teen years ago marched in review down
Pennsylvania Avenue under the illus
trious commander and others whose
names are even now historical.
The veterans made a fine looking
body, but most of them Of course are
on the shady side Of life, and Feeble
looking, with bent figures and silver
heads. Many had lost leg, an arm,
II hand or an eye, and others were dis
figured 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 all sturdy soldiers, with
elastic step and erect forms. The col
nmns formed on the avenue in the
vicinity of the Treasury Departments and
at the firing Of the signal gun the troops
wheeled into line, and moved in the
following order First, detachment of
mounted police artillery; Washington
Light Infantry National Rifles headed
by Marine Band National Rifles
Cadets High School Cadets Army of
the Potomac, headed by Gen. llum-
phreys and his staff; Union Veteran
Corps; and Veteran Corps Cadets,
followed by many smaller organiza-
lions.
The famous war eagle, o Id Abe, now
stuffed, was born aioft in the process
sion, and with the tramp Of marching
column, to the sound If familiar strains
Of martial music something Of Ne old
time enthusiasm was revived. The
President, viii! party pt distinguished
men, foreign ministers and ladies, re-
viewed the procession from grand
stand erected on HE pavement in font
Of the White House grounds The
President wore black dress coat,
white kid gloves, and dark blue crav:ti.
As each nstaIlnrnt of the parade PASS
ed The stand, he removed his tall silk
hat and bowed slightly. ON hi, right
sal secretary Lincoln, pale, dignitcd
and handsnlLc and Gen. Sherman
hoary and hom"ly, but showing much
Of the vitality and vivacity of younger
man. As the representation Of the
Grand Army of the Republic passed,
Marching through Georgia was
played by fife and drum, to which Gen.
Sherman responded hy raising his hat,
while he involuntarily kept time with
the music with his foot. He exchanged
many recogntions with veterans as
the Army OF the Potomac marched by
the stand.