Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-09-05
OLD VETS SAT MILWAUK EE
About Twelve Thousand Veterans
Took Part in the Parade.
Gen. Sherman and Commander Warner
View the Procession.
A Magnificent Military Display. I'm
mense Crowds.

MILWAUKEE, Aug. 27-This morning az
1908 the fist signal gun was fired, fol
lowed by second two minutes after, ana
at 1915 the head of the column of vete-
rams started from the vicinity of Camp
Badger, on Twenty-seventh street. and
down Third avenue for the grand
parade.
The head of the column reached the
grand stand between Eleventh and
Twelfth streets at IL As. First came the
Light Horse Squadron to clear the steet,
the troops all dressed in full uniform and
well mounted, Capt. Huntington in com
mad. Next came the escort of Comman-
der-in-Chief Warner. At the head
marched Frank p. Blair post, of ST..
Louis, 121 strong, with platoon front
as finely dressed SIS regulars and all in
uniform, behind them the Commander
in-Chief mounted upon handsome, fiery
gray charger. Maj. Warner was attended
by his numerous staff, all in uniform and
richly mounted, and followed by car
riages containing distinguished guests.
In the lear seat of the first carriage sat
Gen. W. T. Sherman and Gen. John @.
Robinson, of New York, while facing
them were Secretary Rusk and Cover nor
Hoard. A halt was made at the grand
stand, the commander in chief dis
mounted and took his position, being
vociferously cheeredas he did so; the car
riages were turned ana assisted by Col.
Chas. King, Gen. Sherman alighted and
made his way to the stand, followed by
the other occupants of the carriage, while
the stand and even the ground shook
with the acclamations of the patriotic
thropg.
Then the column resumed its march
Hassandeubel post of st. Louis, 40
strong, and Ransom post of St. Louis 1.-THE
post of which Gen. Sherman is a mem
ber) 100 strong, the remaining part OF the
escort of the commander-in-chief
marched past with the precision and
bearing of we'll drilled troops, their
bands playing, "Marohing Through Geor-
sia.''
members all struck up with the band,
and "Marching Through Georgia" filled
the air from hundred throats. The
crowd shouted themselves hoarse, and
renewed the applause wnen one of the
wagons of the Pa5st brewing comp auy,
used as an ambulance and bearing the
sign Oh tue reu croSS hppedfeC
in the rear of the post.
Then came Kansas City
posts I2O strong with drum corps play
ing "The Girl 1 Left Behind Me-" Fol
lowing these came a carriage Of the Red
Gross society. containing Clara Barton
the head of the society, and assistants,
and followed by another ambulance.
Next came the department of Illinois
with department commander Martin and
staff, includidg Gen. Sexton, post de-
partInent commander, at the head. The
Illinois contiuge emit made a fine appear
ance and consisted of the following posts
and organizations: department band,
veteran drum corps, George FL. Thomas
post of Chicago, $50 strong carrying
umbrellas alternately red, white and blue,
marching in platOons of thirteen files
front and followed by a red CROSS ambu
lance; Whittier post, so; boys drum corps
25; band; Aurora post, 20, with banner
inscribed: "Who said We Wouldn't Come; -
States infantry (Snerman's regiment) PA,
strong; Nineteenth Illinois Veteran club
35, fully armed and uniformed; band
playing the same old tune, y. S. Grant
post, of Chicago, 200 strong; ambulance
duQ Uhuu3 OuslcI kOop, VI SAiOdSOs III
strong; colored post, 80; Lincoln post, so;
Mulligan post, 20; Waukegon post, with
band, so; Lake Pank post, 10; Decuter
post, 90; John A. Logan post, of Evans
ton, with band, 60; Baker post, 20; Wash
ington post, 20; Farragut post, 20; Oak
Park post, so; Winfield Scott post, 60;
Forest City post, 40, and an ambulance
closing the department. column.
Next came the department. of Pennsyl-
vania, led by an armed platoon of IA files
front. keeping an almost perfect align
ment and followed by miniture battery
of two steel field pieces manned by small
boys. The only posts from this depart
ment were from Pittsburg and Allegheny
City, and numbered about 200. They
carried guidons with corps badges and
several of the torn and tattered battle
flags of the Keystone state volunteer
regiments appeared in the ranks.
The head of the column reached Grand
avenue bridge at H. As, just one hour and
a half from the start at B adger camp. At
12:45 the Kentucky department crossed
the bridge, followed by Tennessee, FiOri-
da, Georgia and Arizona in order, and at
1 O'Clock Commander Weissert at the
head of the Badger contingent, reached
the river. Up Grand avenue as far as
Fifth street the column was seen march
ing down with swinging step, and barely
room in the center of the street for the
column to pass, eight abreast. The
Badgers were nearly all in uniform and
presented splendid appearance.
The sight from the reviewing stand YVES
magnificent one, the vast sea of heads
svaying hither and thitheT like grain
under the influence of the SO MINER wind,
while all the residences in sight were
tastefuliy and even lavishly decorated.
The stand itself was filled with from 600
TO 700 people, while near by were private
stands erec' ed by citizens for themselves
and guests. The line of march was &C.
cording TO previous arrangement de-
fected from Grand Avenue at Tenth TO
Chestnut, striking the avenue again ct
Fifth. Not only along the line of march
but everywhere else the streets were
literally packed with people, and the
crowd was magnificent success if the
parade was not.
A man who claims to have counted
noses says there were 6.047 Wisconsin
veterans, 3,128 from other states, 100
naval sur sivors, $50 Sons of Veterans, A
bands and ~ drum corps In the parade
this morning Along the sidewalks and
all over the city there seemed to be no
diminution il the number of veterans
enjoying themselves, so that it is safe to
say that not over one out of every ten IN
town took part in the parade under hot
sun.
Down Grand avenue from Fifth street,
every window and place where one could
stand Or sit was taken. Many of the
merchants and owners of buildings
made snug sums by renting seating