News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-08-27
From the Brattleboro Phgnix.]
THE GREAT BENNINGTON CELE-
BRATION.
PRESIDENT HARRISON AN HONORED
GUEST.
The story of the Day Briefly Told.
-The ProcessiOn.-The OratiOn.-Ehe
Rau0uet.-TheE Fireworks.

dav afternoon laid the dust, washed
the foliage clean, and put the streets
in fine condition for the great par
AIDE. The weather of the day has
been simply perfect. 1t has been such
a day of bright sunshine, bracing air
and refreshing breezes as comes now
and then at this season to show the
New England climate at It's best and
reveal its possibilities. 1t has seemed
like the smile of Heaven, hallOWlng
the great memories of the day, and
the hands of those who
have worked earnestly to make those
memories a permanent and abiding
reality.
The town was early astir, or, rath-
err, it should be said that, with the
rumble of incoming trains, the ar
rival of country folk from all the
towns around, and the busy work of
preparation elsewhere going on, Ben
nington was at no time in a state Of
quiet during the night before. The
interest of the early morning centred
at the camp ground. Here, as soon
as breakfast was eaten and guard
mount was over, volley from Full
ler's rifles called out the different or
CARNATIONS to begin the formation
Of the line for the grand procession.
Thousands of people watched and
applauded as these, one after anoth-
er, marched across the spacious
grounds to their appointed places.
While this was in progress President
Harrison and party drove from Gen.
McCullough's at North Bennington,
where they had spent the night, and
alighted at the Soldiers Home, ready
to take their places near the head of
the procession at the moment OF de-
parture. Promptly at 10 O'Clock
came the appointed signal gun, and
then the long and brilliant procession
of military and civic bodies, the like
of which has never before been seen
in Vermont, marched out through
the arched entrance to the camp
grounds and started on its route
through the Bennington streets and
thence away up the hill, with historic
associations on every side, to the
monument. The mass of people
which lined the route of the process
sion in its earlier stages, was contln-
uOus. The decorations were general
and in many cases they were profuse
and beautiful. The piece of resist
ance was the grand triumphal arch
erected across Main street just below
the Putnam House. This was a mas
sive structure in perfect imitation of
solid masonry, rising to command
ing height in the center, with tur-
reted towers on either side. Here at
the arch was gathered a greater num-
Der of spectators than at any other
single point, probably five or six
thousand in ALL On the arch was
stationed a chorus of $50 girls
dressed in white, who sang patriotic
airs as the procession approached
and passed underneath, the crowd
cheering loudly and waving hats and
handkerchief meanwhile. On the
second platform of the arch stood
ID girls dressed in costumes to rep
resent the ID original states, and
surrounding all stood a young wo-
man attired as the Goddess of Liber-
ty, and forming a very effective and
original feature of the great display.
THE PROCESSION.
In it's general features the grand
procession was made up as follows:
Sheriff John Robinson, with platoon oil
mounted deputies.
Platoon of Police.
Brig. Gen. Greenleaf marshal commanding
and staff personal aides and escort.
FIRST DIVISION.
Col j. J. Estey, 1st Regiment, v N. G., as
sstant marshal commanding, and Lieut.
James A. LiIls, Lieut.. j. Gray Estey
Lieut.. Arthur G. Eaton and Harry Estey
aides.
Battalion of Amoskeag Veterans of Man
chester, n. H., as escort to the President o
the United States and members of his cab
met, governors OF states, president anC
orator of the day.
Vermont Senators and Representatives il
Congress, and other distinguished guests
in carriages.
First Regiment, Vermont National Guard
led by the Montpelier Military band.
Several visiting military companies.
Cushing's Battery, U. S. A.
| Fuller Light Battery, v n. G., Col. L. X
| Fuller, commanding.
SECOND DIVISION
Col. Metcalf, I'd Regiment, N II. N G. anC
aides.
Corps of U. S. West Point Cadets, led by U
| S. Military band.
Department of Vermont g. A. R.
! Visiting Veteran Organizations.
! Grand Commandery of Vermont, Knights
| Templar, Sir Knight X. Haskins, r. E.
commanding
Detachment of Fuller Battery in Continental
uniform in charge of the two pieces of ar
tillery captured from Baum August 16
1777.
State Societies of Sons of the American Rev
olution.
Vermont and other Sons of Veterans.
THIRD DIVISION.
Col. Strachan, 9th Regiment, NJ V. NJ. an,
aides.
Visiting Cantons Patriarchs Militant |. O
O. +.
Vermont Cantons Patriarchs Militant
Independent Order of Odd Fellows
Members of the Vermont Legislature.
Invited guests of the State in carriages
Citizens on foot.
Very many Of the different organi
cations were accompanied by theil
own bands of music ; there was &
great variety of uniform and cos
tune, and the scene presented by tn,
turesque and inspiring. The review
ing stand for the President and othel
officers was erected some distance III
| Main street, and on arrival there {
short halt was made while the Presi
dent and his party entered the stand
and then the long line resumed its
way toward the monument. A full
hour was occupied by the procession
in passing given point.
The stand for the speakers and in
vited guests had been erected on the
side of the monument which looks
down the main street of old Benning
ton, and here the grafton and Other
exercises took place. President Har.
rison, who rode in the procession
with uncovered head, graciously ac.
knowledging the applause every
where given him, entered the stand at
the monument on Gov. Pages arm,
while the assembled thousands
cheered loudly Ex-Lieut. Governor
Woodbury. escorted the President to
thee easy chair assigned him. At his
right sat Hon. E. j. Phelps, orator
ofthe day. On his left were Gov.
Page and eX-Gov. Prescott of New
Hampshire, president of the battle
monument association. Col. W. G.
Veazey, who was president of the
day, called the assemblage to order,
and in a few openingremarks remind
ed the assemblage of the great events
this day celebrated. Rev. Charles
Parkhurst followed with prayer, and
then Gov. Page gave the address of
welcome in feiicitOus and well-chOsen
words. Then followed ex-Gov. Pres
colt of New Hampshire, who, in his
official capacity already mentioned,
D,odo tbo forunoI tra0Sfay. of r. a N, an,