, 1892-06-16
G. A. R. SKETCH.
Touching Elbows Again in a Big
City.

A Scene In San Francisco Before
Decoration Day Described for the
south Bend Herald by Marion ID.
EgBert.
This happened on Market street, San
Francisco, the afternoon before Decora-
ton day, 1892:
There was a great crowd before an i'm
mense show window, intently admiring the
magnificent display of patriotic emblems
that emphatically bespok the loyalty of
the firm. There were statues Of Lincoln,
Grant, Sherman and Sheridan; portraits of
Logan, Hooker, Mead and Mcclellan; large
engravings Of the battles Of Donnelson.
Shiloh, Vicksburg and thestruggle at Man
asasi the bloody angle at Petersburg;
Keuan's brave sacrifice; Pickett's last
charge at Gettysburg; Winchester, Mobile
bay and New Orleans, There was also two
stacks OF arms, a cannon, pile of shot and
shell and bunch of sabers, while over and
around all was a wealth of silken flags,
shields and starry banners.
Among the throng that had been drawn
thither by the inspiring scene were good
ly number OF the veterans of the late war
and all strangers to each other. From
amid the silence that the surroundings
provoked, voice as of one born to com
mand rose from amid the multitude and
said: Comrades of the old army, let us
touch elbows once more" the throng, as
II moved by responsive impulse, opened
to the right and left, as the veterans fifteen
strong formed in line facing the window
fright dress Touch elbows bows" and
the "boys," who wore medals of the grand
army on their breasts pressed closer to the
right. Just as they had oftimes done in
the old wartime days. "Salute your
dead !" Uncovered, the men in line bowed
low and reYerentially toward the resem-
blances of their dead comrades, There
were tears in all their eyes, and all their
heads were gray. Silently thus they stood,
silent amid the silent crowd; there were
empty sleeves along the line. and there
were feet that were slow to respond, and
some that dragged a bit behind the other,
/ and scars there were IN plenty on head and
hand, and faces that bore the impress of
| privatiOn and distress, and shoulders that
/ stopped because the burthens that the war
had LAID were yet upon them, never to be
remOVedi some had marched with Grant
across the wilderness, some fought with
! brave Farragut at New Orleans, some had
/ be9n with Sherman at Atlanta and with
| Sheridan at Winchester; some had looked
into the fry hell at Gettysburg, and one
1dOtS HOAll anu gray IMAM the rest had
fought also for the flag in Mexico. Then
the face said: "'Tentionl Right facel In
two ranks form company Inward face /
/ Hail and FAREWELL" Then these remnants
of the army of 1861 clasped hands, stood in
silence moment, broke ranks and sepa-
! rated forever.
When the people recovered from the eff
feet OF this strange yet pathetic spectacle
they broke forth in a loud cheer. They
cheered the old fellows as they passed away
from them. They cheered the flag for
brave dead that had thus been so impress
| siVely hOnOred.
Presently, lad who, clinging to his
fathers hand wonderingly watching the
proceedings, inquired: T'Father who were
those men2" My lad, they were of those
who, thirty years ago, gaveup the best mo-
ments Of their lives, their strength of man
hood, and their wealth of years, that the
flags in yonder window might not lose
their stars. Few there are that are left of
them but the dead are not forgotten" And
all the people said "Amenl I"