The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-09-02
BENN1NGToN's BATTLE MONUMENT.

BENNINGToN's BATTLE MONUMENT.
Early in the morning Colonel W. Seward
Webb, accompanied by a mounted Grand
Army post, escorted President Harrison
from Gen. McCullough's house to the Sol
diers' Home, where Governor Page and
all the living ex-Governors Of the
State were waiting to greet him.
carriage, and was escorted into the house,
where he remained short time while he
was introduced to the distinguished guests.
He then resumed his place in the carriage,
which, with the other vehicles took their
places in the line.
At 9 o'clock the guns of Fuller's Battery
doomed the signal for the formation of divis-
ions. The column, except carriages, formed
on the parade ground, and was slow in
getting into position, so that it was 1890
before the procession moved, with the Put
nam Phalanx of Hartford in the position Of
honor as escort to the President, with
a score of carriages following, con-
tanning the distinguished guests: The
camp grounds, where the Soldiers
Home is situated and where the Vermont
National Guard had been in camp for sew
procession moved. The President doffed his
hat in salute to every manifestation Of ap-
plause, and to keep the fierce rays Of the sun
from his head Colonel Webb held an UNI
brella over him.
The column moved through North, Gage,
Stafford, and Main streets to the reviewing
stand. Here short halt was made. The
column then passed in review before Presl-
dent Harrison, and continued its march
through Main street and Monu-
ment avenue to the massive and lofty
pillar which commentaries the battle
of Bennington. Here the first di-
vision, except batteries, was massed on the
west side Of the monument; the second and
third divisions except carriages, on the east
side. The batteries then took positions and
fred a national salute of twenty-one
guns. Meantime the President and
party, the orator Of the day. the
Hon. Edward j. Phelps, Governor Page.
and other distinguished speakers and
bad taken their places on the platform at the
base of the monument. Around and about
the open spaces were black with the multi
tudes gathered from many States to witness
the ceremony of the dedication.
When all were in their places, AMI QUIET
had been secured, the Hon. Wheelock G.
Veazay, ex-Commander-in-Chief OF the u.
A. R.. advanced to the front Of the platform
and delivered the introductory address. The
Rev. Charles Parkhurst,, DID,: OF Boston,
editor of lions Herald, then offered prayer.
and Governor C. $. Page delivered the
address OF welcome. Then Ex-Governor
b. F. Prescott, o. New Hampshire, Pres
dent of the Bennington Battle Monument
Association, was received with enthusiasm
as he stepped forward to transfer the monu-
ment, the result of the associations many
years of effort, to the care and keeping or
the State. Governor Page accepted the
noble offering in brief speech. Music
followed. and the President Of the day,
General Veazay, came forward leading the
orator of the day, the Hon. Edward j.
Phelps. A roar of applause greeted their
appearance, aud when the last murmur had
died away Mr. Phelps delivered long ora
At the conclusion of Mr. Phelpss grafton,
President of the Day Veazsy intro iuced
President Harrison, who, arose amid pro-
lopged cheers and made brief address.
It was hate In the afternoon when the
President finished, and the literary exer-
cises, long to be remembered in the annals
Of the Green Mountain State, were brought
to close with music and the benediction.
The divisions then reformed in proper
order, with the carriages Of each
division in its rear. and marched
through Monument avenue, Main and North
streets, to Camp Vermont, where the troops
and other organizations were dismissed. The
escorts and carriages proceeded to the large
tent near the Soldiers Home, where the ban
quet was served, over 5000 people sitting
down to the table.
At the banquet in the afternoon in the
large tent on the grounds Of the Soldiers
Home more than $500 persons sat at the
tables. and 1000 more stood in the
aisles Speeches were made by
President Harrison, Governor Russell. of
Massachusetts,; Governor Tuttle, OF New
Hampshire; General o. o. Howard, General
Russell A. Alger, Secretary Proctor, Attor-
ney-General Miller, General Alex. II. Webb,
of New York; Ex-Governor Rice, Of Massa-
chusetts and others.
A fine display of fireworks, witnessed by
great crowds of people was given on the
grounds Of the Soldiers Home in the even
ing. A Anotable feature Of the display was
grand historical pageant of fire pictures.
representing heroic scenes in Vermont's past
history.
After leaving the banquet the President
was driven to the home Of General McCul-
Tough, in North Bennington, where he was
entertained at dinner. He spent the night
there, and left at 8 A. N. the next day Tor
Mount McGregor.