The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-20
THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON.
4 Monument in Its COmmtmOratiOn Dedl-
Gated With Imposing Ceremonies.
THE PRESIDENT AMONG THE PARADERS.
In Recognition OF the Cheers He Rides In the
Hand-The Exercises mt the Grounds.

BENNINGTON, VI, august l3.-1ho w.
emony of dedcatiRg the monument erected
in the commemoration Of the battle OF
Bennington crowded this little town TO over
flowing to-day The presence Of the Presi-
dent Of the United States and members OF
his.Cabinet. as well as theGoyernors Of three OF
the States. gave the event more than local
interest. il brought people tom every part
Of the United States but particularly from
the New England States to witness and take
part in the ceremonies Probably in the
whole history of Bennington no such distin-
puished gathering will be held here again.
Every private as well as many public houses
in Bennington we're crowded last night ana
many slept on the lawns. while hundreds
were glad 20 find sleeping quarters IN tents,
which afforded little protection from the chill
night air. The first of the special trains WAS
not due before 8 O'Clock, but the wagon roads
brought very large accession TO the multi
tude in town before, and when the trst tram
arrived theiga sly decorated streets were wen
filed
Tie principal interest was in the arrival OF
the President and his party who had spent
the night ut the home Of General j. G. Nc
CullOugh at North Bennington, i've mics
away.
THE PRESIDENT APPROACHES.
Governor Page did not 60 10 meet the Pres
ident Ho drove over to North bennington
last night, accompanied by utant-Genera
Peck and spent the night with General Nc
Cullough This morning he sent Colonel Sc
ward Webb of his stall, 10 act as the Iresl-
dents escort and with him went a dozen
members OF John A. Logan Post. G A. X:
of Orwell. Vt fmOunted), under command or
H. g. Hibbsrd. These Grand Army men
were in undress cavalry uniform and carried
sabres. The carriage which had been PROV
ded for the President was drawn by tour
white horses with pumes of red, white ana
blue in their head stalls. On the box sat two
cOachmen in livery.
As the procession approached bennington
the mounted esc Ort rode ahead OF the carriage
in which sat Colonel Webb aud General Nc
Cullough with the President. Behind this
carriage were others IN which sat members OF
the Presidents party. IT was the duty OF the
mounted escort 10 keep the road clear. ana II
was not without difficulty that they succeeded
ip making passage for the Presldent 3 car
riaee through the crowds of vehicles which
filed the country roads. All the way from
North bennington to Bennington the Presi-
dent was greeted with cheering. 10 which he
responded by taking of his hat and boWing.
HARRISON RECEIVES.
The start from North Bennington was made
shortly after 8 O'clock but progress was slow,
and il was O'Clock when the little procession
riages drew up and the President, with the
assistance of Governor Page, left his carriage
and entered the Governors parlOr. Before
he entered the house he turned and bowed
repeatedly 10 the cheering multitude which
had surrounded the building.
Ia the parlor the President held brief re-
ception at which the members of the Gov
ernors staff and other distinguished persons
were introduced to him. In the meantime
the militia forces had been assembling on the
parade ground without. The corps OF cadets
from West Point, accompanied by the posi-
band. had arrived on special tram aud had
marched 10 the place Of assembly, and mum
Der OF Grand Army posts and regiments OF
Patriarchs Militant were drawn up Oh differ
ent parts OF the parade ground.
Brigadier-G q eneral W. J.. Greenleat, chief
marshal. and his staff, mounted III front Of
Greenleafs = tent at the end or the parade
grounds and the marshaNs orderlies rode
backward and forward across the parade
carrying orders to the marsbals of the dit-
ferent divisions
THE PARADE.
The hour fixed for the start of the parade
was 10 o'clock, but il was nearly 1890 when
the last report showed that the divisions
we're all in readiness for the start and word
came 90 the chief marshal that the freSl-
dent and reviewing party were Teady A
minute later the President and ms party
leEi the Homo ana ttoutltl tutli Hcolo III t-io
carriages which awaited them
The head of the column moved little after
10 81 o'clock. passing an evergreen arch
which stood at the head of North street.
Across the face of the arch Ia white lmmor-
telles was the inscription, "h0ihe stark was
not Widowed and the dates, "l71l ana
r771" An enormous crowd filed the street
from curb TO curb, and the advance guard
cleared the way slowly. The houses on both
sides Of the street had been decorated pro-
fusely with flags and bunting, and stands had
been erected on all of tho graceful green
lawns. from which the good people OF Ben
nington and their friends waved welcome
10 the Chief Magistrate end his escort
The President was greeted with prolonged
cheering along the line and he WAS kept busy
continually b0wing TO the night and lett. lie
rode with his hat in bis hand along the entire
route, although tho sun shone bright aud the
day was quite warm.
sHOwERED WITH FLOWERS.
At the junction of North and Main streets
was the crOwning decoration Of the occasion.
/ A huge arch in imitation Of masonry had been
! thrown across Main street. Across the top OF
! this arch stood a line of little girls. whose
| sweet childish voices broke out into the star
| Spangled Banner az the head Of the process
sion came in sight. Above them. over the
keystone of the arch, stood the figure OF the
| Goddess Of Liberty Below were ranged tnir-
| teen of BenningtOn's prettiest girls holding
! the shields Of the thirteen original States,
AS the President passed under the arch, a
| shower of roses fell from the hands OF the
| young girls, sprinkled his carriage and fell
about it, At the same time the chorus OF
| children struck up America" The review
! ing stand was on Main street about quarter
| Of a mile beyond the arch. 1t was designed
! for only fifty people. and only the members
of the Presidents party were invited 10 enteI
| it. When the head OF the column had passed
! lust beyond the stand il halted, and the Pres
/ ident's carriage was driven g. the side of the
road The President left his seat. and on
! Governor Pages arm entered the stand;
where lie bowed Il response to the continued
/ cheering oi the great crowd that swarlned
! about it. Other members ~ the reYieWlnS
! PARTY took places in the stand and the order
( was given to resume the march.
| The President stood with head uncovered
! for half an hour while the procession was
/ passing IN review When the odd Fellows
! had passed and the head Of the column OF
/ carriages came into view the President leil
| the stand and resumed his seat in his carriage
TIE ExERcIsEs.
The head OF the column had reached the
/ monument by this time and the militia forces
were massed Oh the west of the great stand
/ which had been erected IN front of IT, Seat'
| for "a thousand had been provided on tht
| stand which was rooted IN with canvas.
| II took some time TO arrange all OF the
! eueets and II was alter the noon hour WheI