Evening journal., 1889-05-31
MEMORIAL PROCESSION.
ONE THOUSAND MEN MARCH TO
THE CEMETERY YESTERDAY.

Better Observance OF the DaS iHan /
Ever Before-The Services at General
smyth's Grave.
Memorial Day was better and more
generally observed yesterday than ever
before in the history of the city or state. |
The fact of the day having been made a
legal holiday by the last Legislature
added much TO the interest taken in its
observance.
The parade to the Wilmington and
Brandywine Cemetery in the afternoon
was the crowning feature of the celebra
tion, and by 2 o'clock Market street and
Delaware avenue were crowded with
people who had focl1ed to see it. Thous-
ands of men, women and children stood
on the sidewalks from Front and Market
streets to the Soldiers Monument, at
Delaware avenue and Broome
streets Every available window
was filed with people, and the
ubiquitous small ooy occupied
points Of vantage on awning frames and
cornices. The clustering wind blew ag
gravating clouds of dust from the street
into the eyes of the crowd Before the
procession started several dashes of light
rain threatened to wet the light dresses
of the women and dampeR the ardor of the
militia and Grand Army veterans. These
showers, however, proved to be but the
mist from natures eyes as she contem-
plated the tender regard with which the
memories of the fallen soldiers of the
nation are held.
The different divisions OF the process
sion formed on French street and moved
between 2. 30 and o'clock. The City
Council met at the City Hall and each
member contributed 81 as his share of
the fund to pay for the carriages in
which they rode. Through a mistake in
an order not being issued the First
Regiment Fife and Drum Corps and
Band did not march at the head of the
battalion of the National Guard. Lieu
tenant Colonel Kirk did not command
the battalion either. He was in the city,
but not in line at any time during the
day. Captain Edmund Mitchell, Jr, of
Company A, commanded the battalion.
1t is estimated that between 300 an
1000 men were in line. The procession
extended over a distance of about eight
blocks and moved over the route hereto
fore published. The line was made up
as follows
Chief of Police Swiggett at the head
Of platoon of police, looking very neat
and natty in their new uniforms and
light helmets.
Marshal Daniel Ross and aids noun
ted.
The Wilmington Cornet Band. Is
pieces, leading the First battalion of the
N. q. D., commanded by Captain Ed.
mund Mitchell, Jr., composed Of com.
pany A, 40 men, Lieutenant Floyd in
command; Company c, 3S men, Captain
O Wickersham in command; Company f, Al
l men. Captain Condor in command
Troop B, mounted, 20 men, Lieutenant
Stevenson in command They marched
8 in their usual good form, and Troop b
? with it's brilliant trappings was the most
/ prominent feature Of the procession.
: Depart Commanded, G. A. R., Peter
Peter B. Ayars and staff. mounted.
s Smyth Post Fife and Drum Corps, 1;
v pieces, General Thomas A. Smyth Post
n No. /, G. A. R., 1876 men, j. g. Slifer
l. commander, followed by wagon con
v tanning the handsome monument pre-
sented by /. Hamburger & Sons. DuPon
Post Fife aud Drum Corps, II pieces
Admiral s. F. Dupont Post, No. 2, G. A
p R., 115 men, Joseph Duffy, commander
,. monument presented by Louis Felheimei
carried by four men. Grant Post Fiji
and Drum Corps, IA men; U. S. Gran
Post, No Is, g. A. R., 26 men, E.
Smith commander; Veteran Guards, 8
=. men. The g. A. R. men marched with
e steady step each one proud of the sue
=" cessful observance of the day.
Sons of Veterans Fife and Drum
q, Corps, 13 men; Garfield Camp, No.
\. Sons of Veterans, 80 men, Captain j. II
Reuss. The boys made creditable ap
pearance and marched well
IN Carriages, containing flowers, followe
by crippled veterans in carriages.
Carriages containing city officials an
IN members of the City Council The frs
Id carriage contained Mayor Harrington
President John c. Farra of City Council
er and Councilman Johnson and Quinn
tv Following the councilmen came the men
lis bers of the Board of Education in cal
riages, led by a carriage containing Pre-,
ident Charles Baird and Messrs. S.
~ Smith, w. M. Foulk and DR.. ShortlidgO
W Hyatt's Military Band. twenty pieces
~ First battalion, K g. E., commanded b
"V Major S. NJ. Wood, and composed {
Delaware. Cyrus and Chosen Friend
lis communicates, SO men strong.
lc- First Regiment Band, 20 pieces
hit Knights of st. Lawrence, 40 men; Ordt
ed of United American Mechanics, 3S meI
to After turning the Soldiers and Sailor
Monument, which had been decorate,
the procession countermarched to I'll
cemetery and entered it with reverse
!, arms dropping flags and low, soft musi
al The soldiers graves in the southeaster
~ corner of the cemetery We're decorate
first, and parties from the various post
ch went about the cemetery decorating Il
no graves Of all soldiers who were burie
ch there and firing the customary salute
The firing parties were from Smyth al
n. DUPONT posts, and the veteran guard
,as AS they marched about the cemeteI
1is firing the three volleys, from the fol
corners and over the graves Of CAPITA
Joshua S. Valentine, Major Bailey, K
M Crozier and others the air reverberat'
ST. with the rattle of the musketry.
hc The principal exercises took place
the grave of General Thomas A. Smyt
'ch Smyth Post, led by Hyatts Band playiI
T13 Nearer Ny God to Thee" formed
or hollow square around it, and iriI
party Of the National Guard formed
,n+ hind them. The large floral monume
at presented by l. Hamburger & Sons, W
III placed on the grave and while the vetera
A stood at parade rest, Chaplain Niddlet
IN read the beautiful and impressive funeI
- service of the g. A. R The firing par
Of troops fred three volleys over {
The grave, the G. A. r. men in front of the
its kneeling while they did so. Hyatts Ba
ith then played a soft and beautit
80 dirge, and Department Command
ad- Peter B. Ayars. in a short spec
he A.. a1 ,xy fba Cir