The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-08-19

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Sons of Veterans, in charge of Lieut-Col.
A. L. II. Thompson, brought up the rear of
this Division, headed by Cassers Band. About
100 men were in line. feature of this bat
TALON was a Mexican Gag which was taken
from Santa Ana during the Mexican war. The
flag is Of silk, and was presented to Santa
Ana by the nuns of the City of Mexico. 1t is
riddled by bullets and blood-stained. Its
bearer, b. c. Harris, was the proudest man in
line. The flag is the property of the veterans
of Stockton. An old veteran proudly held in
his hand bugle which he said he had carried
in "old Col. Jack Hayess" regiment during
the Mexican war, and had carried it at the
Colonels funeral.
The Departments of Kentucky, Dakota and
the Gulf mississippi aud louisiana were not
represented in the procession.
New Mexico and Florida were represented
by two men each.
THE PARADE FORMED
in double ranks on Van Ness avenue, the line
Of the Grand Army on the east side, 10 feet
from the curb. The reviewing party passed
down the front and up the rear of the line.
When they had cleared the right of each divis-
ion its Commander dressed the division line
back to the curb and then wheeled it into col
unn by sections of eight. The rear rank of
each section then fell back 76 inches and pre-
served this distance during the march. The
head If the column moved from Geary street
OF Van Ness avenue at about IL o'clock. The
right OF the Grand Army of the Republic coun-
ter-marchcd at junction of Jackson street and
Aan Ness avenue, formation of column being
made in sections of eight, and proceeded down
the west side of said avenue to Market street,
down Market to Kearny, kearny to Montgom-
cry avenue, Montgomery avenue TO Montgom-
cry street, through Montgomery to Market
street, proceeding up Market street to Third
street, and down Third street to Mission street,
4 Al
as has been said, before the Commander-in-
Chief and the officers of the army, past and
present. Among those who were in the review
were the Society of the Army of the Potomac,
officers of the Goth National Encampment,
officers Of the Army and Navy, Governor of
State Gen. Stoneman; Mayor of the city, Mayor
Bartlett, and other distinguished citizens.
The firing of the salutes was under the charge
OF Capt. III. i. Slime. commanding Light Bat
terry A, 2d Art, N. G. C., and the signal work
was performed Under charge of Lieut.. +. J.
Warren, of lst Inf, n. &. e.
THE BEAUTY OF THE PROCESSION
was its military precision. The Regulars pre-
sented a very elegant appearance in their di-
versifed uniforms, the National Guards of Cal
ifornia showing themselves we'll drilled and
disciplined, and besides these there were the
different Coast battaliOnS, Zouaves drum corps
and other regiments in distinctive uniforms.
noticeable feature was the magnificent dis
play of banners not only the large silk banners
carried by California Posts in the procession,
but the sea of silken banners carried by the
veterans, each line of four having its own flag,
and sometimes the flags were more numerous
than this.
The superb appearance Of the San Francisco
Hussars with their yellow plumes aud trim
mings TO their uniforms excited much euthusi-
asm as they passed along the line. Among the
Il i.
ing: The Stockton Band in their brilliant
uniform and escorting Stockton Post. A boat
Of young ladies strewing flowers gave variety
TO the procession. These young ladies were
all in white with flowing hair, and literally
strewed the flowers for the veterans to walk
upon. The scene as the old soldiers passed
is beyond the power of words TO express.
While the military by their splendid march
ing and appearance excited great enthu-
siasm, yet when the veterans passed there was
one continuous shout and cheer from the time
they came in sight until the close Of the parade,
which lasted in all one hour and half in pass
ing given point. ...
THE DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA
made very brilliant display, and certainly one
half Of the soldiers enrolled on the rosters were
in line. 1t is estimated that not less than 150-
600 people outside of the regular population of
San Francisco were on the streets. The most
hSIo NJ TIC bISdl
ing, and even the press people, who are not apt
10 take a pessimistic view of things, were sur
| prised at the gathering together of so many
| brilliantly and accouteTed men. =
Conspicuous in the parade was George
II. Thomas Post, of San Francisco. This is
a very wealthy organization, with an unlim-
tied command of money. Their uniforms were
very elegant, and they bore at the head
/ OF their procession a white banner with gilt
letters. Another feature Of the parade was the
appearance of the Veteran Zouaves of Eliza
| beth, n. j. This organization during the war
WAS very celebrated, and on the battlefelds
from its ranks some of the best blood of New
| Jersey was split One brother was in line who
had enlisted with two Others when they went
into the service, both of whom were left on the
| field of battle.
The large silk banners carried by the Cali
fornia Posts were Of the
MOST ELEGANT DESCRIPTION.
They were very large, and on blue field was a
large gilt star, emblematical of the Star of the
West which has risen on the Pacific Slope
Among the Posts making particularly fine
appearance was James A. Garfield Post, Col
Cass Post, No. 46, which had little boy carry
ing GAR. guidon at the head of the process
sion; Gen. Meade Post, with blue banner and
letters bearing the Grand Army badge; Sumner
| Post with gilt star on a blue field; Kit Car
son Post, of Red Bluff, CAL; the Napa delega-
ton; Corinth Post, headed by a uniformed
| drum corps; Sherman Post, John Il. Miller
Post and Fair Oaks Post, all with superb ban
ners One OF the banners of the procession was
a red and white stripe with bear the emblem
Of California on a blue field. One of the Posts
bore an elegant banner literally banded with
solid gold. A delegation from Tuare County
bore a banner elevated on flagstaff of bound
! grain reaching 10 the hight of the usual flag
/ staff One of the banners conspicuous in the
| parade was a beautiful b!ue banner with gilt
letters, lone Country, One Flag" The Lyons
| Drum Corps was conspicuous, the boys in blue
with bright white hats and each carrying flow
ers The Lyons boys made a very fine appear
ance. Joe Hooker Post was preceded by a drum
corps brilliantly uniformed, of which two girls
were members. They marched with the same
| martial stride as the boys, and seemed 10 he
| full of zeal and enthusiasm. The fine uniform
| OF the drum corps of Appomattox Post, No so,
was conspicuous. Reno Post, of Nevada, made
a very fine display; also Reynolds Post, with
| its drum corps, from Santa Cruz.
| The decorations were so elaborate and the
! display OF National colors so profuse that even
! the very dogs were decorated, one brown pointer
being literally covered with ribbons of red,
white and blue
The Illinois delegation all wore straw hats
and carried cares. The Wisconsin delegation
was conspicuous from tie fact that its gallant
Commander Gen. Fairchild, marched
IN THE RANKS WITH TIE HoYs.
| The Wisconsin delegation, carried a superb ban
ner on blue field, with draqings above o!
| crimson velvet.
The procession was made interesting by q
/