The Dickinson press., 1892-09-24
VETS ON PARADE.
Old Soldiers Again March
Through the Streets Of the
Capital City.
One of the Most Imposing Pa
rades in the History Of the
Grand Army.

the pavemcnts and side streets, past bull d.
inss whose lavish display of tluttering BAN
ncrs. flags and streamers attested the
coldiality OF the welcome OF their owners,
chcered on by the resh voices OF hundreds
CT school children singing patriotic airs,
the Grand Army OF the Republic, many
thousand strong, to-day marched up the
broad, smooth asphultum Pennsylvania
avenue, along whose rough cobblestone,
as members of the greatest OF modern
armies, they had marched twcnty-seven
years ago, tired, dusty, travel-staincd, war
born of the knowledge of their deeds and
accomplishments. They were still proud
that they had been members of that great
army, but in the years which had thinncd
their ranks the fierce war spirit had died
away and LEFT little behind but Il feeling of
Joy ami good will TO all men. A longing
to once more march up the old avenue had
long been iclt by the veterans. and when
the invitation had been extended to them
to make their next annual cncampment i'll
Washington. it ound ready response in
the hearts of tho old soldier, and they
resolved that they would make it the
greatest reunion OF them all. Many an old
soldier who had never tclt able to attend
other reunions, had said, that come, that
might lie must see tho old comrades once
more
BEFORE TIE LAST CALL SOUNDED
as one old bent negro veteran. whose hon.
est but povcrty-stickcn countcnance had
caused u bystander to question him re-
marked: ~ had to sell my stove to get
here; but dcrc amt no winter cold enough
to chill this ole body ii l can only SEQ
Washunlun and de old soldiers agin." 1t
was the last time many OF them would see
the national capital. The long roll had
carried off many of those who had been
with them OH that triumphant march to
which nearly all their minds reverted. All
their most famous leaders were gone.
Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Thomas, Logan,
McPhcrson, Hancock, Blair, Mcclellan,
and still the sad call might 90 on. The
grizzled, aged, frequently intirm appear
ance OF those who were left showed that all
had passed their prime, and if they re.
turned 20 another reunion here it must be
with great sadness at their reduced ranks.
parade the greatest feature OF this, the
twenty-sixth annual cncampment. Tho
whole city joined with them and united to
make the scene such u one as
even this city, accustomed to the great
inaugural paradcs had not witnessed in
peace times. The entire line OF march was
decorated with banners. bunting, corps
insignia and flags. until each side Of the
long stretch between the capitol and the
treasury department was picturesque and
gay us the decorators skill could make it.
The weather was perfect ut the beginning,
one of those rich nutumnal days for which
Washington is famous. There was haze
| in the air in the morning that soitcned the
effect of the sunl Int on the
| BRIGHTLY DECORATED BUILDINGS
and brought the contrasting colors almost
into harmony. AS the day grew older and
the sun mounted higher he warm beams
dis,patcd the lnists and the city stood re.
veal ed in all oflts re .uiscnt beauty. And
as nearly US an autumn day call resemble @
spring day. with the same conditions o
wind and weather, did this morning re-
semblc that memorable 23d of May, 1865
when the battle-stolncd veterans o: the
| hTuly Ol llc OLltCu GlutCS DcSul
their march along Pennsylvania avenue tc
be reviewed tor the last time by
the great commanders who are now
no more. But the weather goddess
was tickle, and as tho hour fixed for tho
starting o: the procession DIRE : nigh the
east wind began to blow, bringing Il raw
chill to those persons who stood in cx-
posed places The sky began to fill with
light dran clouds, and soon the day was
gray and gloom Two days had been re-
quired in 1865 when the grand review took
place. Only one day was needed now for
all who could get here and stand the
fatigue. Tomorrow. however, the sons of
those who came back from the wars will
take the place OF those whom time has
taken away. Nine thirty o'clock is all early
hour or Washington parade but the pro-
cession had been set for that hour, and long
before shat the streets were lined with peo-
pie who came early to get choice places
against the big wire cable which had been
stretched along the curb Of the avenue, Cor
the entire length o the procession. the
streets being kept abso'u'e clear
THE VETERANS FORMED liz LINE
at their respective headquarters and
llhIC Ciueliy " oloC oalSClo " VIC ploCo
of formation. headed by bands whose con-
tiduous p aging was re reshing to the spec
tators. On the lawn adjoining the south
wing Of the treasury building large COW
cred stand. named in honor OF Lincoln,
and handsomely decorated with banners
and bunting and eyergreens. had been erect
ed so as to face direct down Pennsylvania
avenue az IS turning into Fl tcentll street.
On this stand sat some eight hundred young
school girls, all in white dresses, but wear
ing alternate rows OF red capes OF some
soft crepey material, and with veil turbans
or white capes and red turbans, thus pro-
ducing the effect with the aid of q mass OF
blue costumes in the upper left hand cor
| ner) of gigantic American flag. Each of
the girls also carried i'll her hand small
flag. and with songs or pealIng shouts OF
Joy and waving these tiny flags they sped the
veterans on their way.
OPERA IIOU.E DAMAGED.