The Monitor., 1891-10-16
our Letter BOX.
Letter from Pott.yr,Ie.

Letter from POffsyIIIe.
DEAR EDIToR:-When the first CLEANS
of sunlight had transcended the mountain
peaks tow ards the eastern horizon and
shed their radiant brightness over the town
of Pottsville, ornamented and decorated
from end to end with the glorious stars
and stripes, the flags and pennants efful-
gent in the early morning light, 1t was
beautiful picture to behold. 1t was a
realization of what many have hoped and
| may say, prayed fora grand day. Con-
sequently everybody felt happy; that is
they went In to make good time for
every body themselves counted ip) and to
make the day day which would never be
forgotten in the history of the town, yea,
day which wonld be remembered by
everyone within tie precincts of this coun-
ty, even until "ages shall have rolled away
and buried themselves in the dust"
Business was suspended throughout the
town, and work stopped at all the collier
les in the region. Away up in the Shamo-
kin region the sentiment had spread, and
everybody was going to Pottsville.
From Mt. Carmel, Girardville, Ashland,
Shenandoah, Mahanoy City and Tamaqua,
there were crowds of people waiting at the
station for the trains to take them to
the county seat. Rates were greatly re-
duced on all railroads and all veterans of
the late war were transported free.
Gradually as the sun arose into full view,
shining in splendor around the many wales
and across the rolling hills of our town,
people from without the suburbs of Potts
vile were conspicuously noticeable coming
into town. Market Wagons, carriages.
cutters and old fashioned rgs-some of
them very old fashioned too-were filed
with human products from the Country.
Later on excursion trains began to arrive
from Philadelphia, Reading, Allentown
and Harrisburg, bringing people to witness
the unveiliDg of the Soldiers Monument
which was to take place here. 6. A. r.
men were everywhere present; old veterans
who had not looked upon the faces of their
comrades since the day of go and 65, were
rejoiced to meet them here, and many a
thrilling experience was recalled between
them W hch brought their thoughts back
to the time when they were fighting on the
bloody field of battle, or perhaps were on
the march at dead of night, and singing
some familiar song would try to cheer
themselves and comrades for the coming
affray.
And So, as the bands played solemn
strains of those old national songs, it re-
called to their mind many memories of the
past
One soldier standing by me said that he
distinctly remembered the night that he
marched through Virginia on the way to
Richmond, and through the stiffness of the
aigbt there could be heard far away along
the line of march, the faint echoes of that
everything song: 'John Browns body
lies moldering in the grave, but his soul
is marching on.
As I have said before there were many
soldiers, and also military men who were
marching to tie sonnd of fife and drum to
their respective quarters. and preparing to
form the line which was to parade through
the streets at 1890 O'Clock. While this
was going oD, the several bands played
favorite airs and kept the people interested
The Third Brigade Band of town, which
has State reputation, preceded the first
military company.
Promptly at II. 80 o'clock the Good
Intent battery stationed on one of the high
est points overlooking the town, doomed
forth the first salute, which was the signal
for the formation of what proved to be the
grandest and largest parade ever witnessed
in this section of the coal region. 1t was
also one of the best marshalled parajes
ever seen here, for Just as the cannon was
fired. the different divisions were seen to
move into the positions that had been
assigned to them. At the second shot,
which was fired at ~ 80 Chief Marshall,
Gen'l Sigfried gave the com nand and the
line moved.
The streets were simply packed. The
parade was not at all tiresome, but was of
such diversified character that the people
were interested from The start. As the
column marched, new phases were con-
stantly presented aud each division had
particular interest peculiar to itself. The
military represented by the 4th and Sth
Regiments OF the National Guards of the
State presented picture which drew forth
the admiration of everybody. The long
line of carriages was another attraction OF
deep interest. The first barouche was
drawn by four coal black horses and con-
tanned Governor r. E. Pattison, Adjutant
General McClelland, General A. Louden
Snowden and General David McGregg.
They were greeted along the route with
almost continued cheers.
1t is estimated that there were fully $500
men in line, and should judge from the
extent cf the same that it must have been
over two miles long.
When the march was over, all repaired
to Garfield Square (Which is situated in
the centre of the town. to witness the un-
yelling of the new monument. On plat
form surrounding the base of the monu-
ment were seated some of the most prom
nent persons of the State. They comprised
His Excellency, Governor Robert Emory
Pattison, Gen'l David McGregg, Ex-gov-
ernor A. G. Curtin, Gen. A. Louden Snow
den, Adj. Gen. McClelland, Gen. Daniel
H. Hastings, Gen. r. A. Donnelly,
Gen'l Horace Porter, Gen. W. II. II.
Davis, Gen'i John Palmer, Gen'lJ. K.
Sigfried, Col. James II. Campbell, Col.
Henry Roger, Col. r. Dale Benson. Col.
Thomas ]. Stewart, Col. j. A. Schweers,
Major James May, Major Heber S. Thomp-
son and many other prominent men.
Promptly at 200 o'clock the Third
Brigade Band played the American Repub-
lican march and Yankee Doodle, then the
Star Spangled Banner. Then Rev. Jacob
Belville. ID. D., pastor of the First Presby-
terian Church, made an eloquent prayer.
This was followed by three rings, and
at the third ring the veil enveloping tie
monument instantly dropped. As it fell .
mighty shout arose from the crowd which
was massed in the square
1t was sight that pleased many, and
/. ~. kall thar satna N ant uauartha1asx cheer