The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-09-30
On the east tower is inscribed
In Honor
OF the Men of Hartford
Who Served
And in Memory of Those who Fell
On Land and Sea
In the War for the Union
Their Grateful Townsmen
Have Raised This Memorial

The cost OF the work was SEQ 000 but the
improvements to the bridge and the surround
ings will swell the sum, IL is said 10 nearly
100000 The gentlemen composing the Com
mission having the enterprise in charge are
George p. Bissell, Chairman; Sherman w. Ad-
ans, Secretary; Charles X. Chapman, j. III.
Twitchell, John o'Flaherty, Morgan G.. Bulke-
ley, X. ID. Hubbard, Henry G. Robinson, Thos.
McManus, aud the Rev. Francis Goodwin.
The early forenoon witnessed the principal
thorOnghiares, which were decorated with flags
aud bunting thrOnged with visitors and gay
with the music and banners Of militia aud vet
eran organizations as they marched from the
depot. The public park aud the adjacent
grassy slopes OF the Capitol grounds rcsembled
a great encampment with their gay tents aud
the uniformed men moving around among the
posts aud regimental colors planted as rallying
points for the veterans. BY ii o'clock the prin-
cipal streets were 50 packed with people that
they were well nigh impossible. The air was
filled with the roar of artillery, the blare Of
brass bands, the scream Of flies and the rattle
Of drums. Every building was alntter with
gay bunting. Gorgeous uniforms and the
measured cadence of marching feet were on
every hand. IL was red, white, blue and gold
aud nodding plumes and tremendous Drum
Majors in all directions.
1t was arranged that the formal ceremonies
OF the dedicatiOn-the oratory, the music and
the cheering aud singing-should take place in
the pretty Capitol park in which is the monu-
ment ITSELF and which reaches back in a charm
ing stretch Of rich green from Asylum street to
the great white marble Capitol which crowns
the steep hill in the distance. Just where the
hill drops away to the green lawn, which
spreads far away for acres before them, is
double flight Of rather imposing brown stone
steps, In front Of which and about which grows
a group Of trees aud shrubbery. IL was among
In If o. .I..s
erected the wooden stand on which the speeches
were TO be made, and on which the State and
town officials and other persons of note were TO
sit. Before this stand, and ON the gently -slop-
ing lawn on which tens of thousands could
stand, were drawn up scores of Grand Army
Posts and military companies, and the effect
of their bright colors with their hundreds of
banners was strikingly beautiful.
1t was fixed that the exercises should begin
at high noon, but of course there was the usual
delay. Many Of the trains, with their heavy
loads, were late, and military and the brass
bands and the Grand Army men and the other
uniformed veterans were tardy in getting TO
their allotted places, so that the assemblage
could compose itself for listening. So it was
] o'clock when all was at last ready to begin.
| There was first music, and then the Rev.
Jos. III. Twitchell. who was member of the
Monument Commission, made prayer. Then
there was vocal music led by Mr.. J. NJ. Gallup.
after which Col. Geo p. Bissell, President OF
the Monument Commission, made brief ad-
dress reviewing the work of the Commission,
and closing by formally turning over the mon-
ument to the town.
Gen. Joseph l.. Hawley, orator Of tho day,
then rose, and was greeted with ringing cheers
| by the veterans. lie said that the 18th of
\ September has been a popular day for veteran
| celebrations in Connecticut, for il is a day
marked by gallant work of Gen. Harland's
| Connecticut Brigade in the battle of Antietam,
when COZ of Connectieuts sons were left OIL the
field. After referring to the brilliant colonial
record Of Hartford. Gen. Hawley came down to
the period OF the rebellion. Hartford organ
ized the first volunteer company accepted by
the State, and sent out three full companies in
the lst Conn. Her quota was 3.905 men, but
she furnished l39 in excess OF this, also 32l
| three months men and MS many more for the
navy. The city was practically the seat OF
Government during the war period, and almost
before the echoes Of the cannon Of Sumter had