Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-09-24
NO. ?.
ON THE CAMP GROUND.
Great Throng of People at the
Grand Army Enoampment
Beautiful Weather and Inspiring Dec
orations,

orations.
Under a bright blue sky and amid waving
Gags ami stirring martial music, the twenty
s.xth annual re union OF the veterans Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic was inat,gu-
rated at noon at Washington, d. G. Not
snes the grand review Of 1865 when the
armies of the East ti'el through the city
and raised tefore the President Of the
United States, have there been SO many of
the veterans of the war in the city. For
three days and nights the railroads had been
taxed 70 its utmost limits TO carry ths ex-
cursionists to Washington, and tens of thou
sands OF them had been unloaded at the sta
tons
The veterans have taken complete posses
sion OF Washington and little else is thought
Of Public business in the departments is
about at a stAnlstia and tn, thousands Of
government employees help sN ell the throngs
on the tTyets. EveryN here are the bue-
clad veterans. They blockal c tine sidewalks
and the str, cts. load d ,wn the street cars,
throng the ia Ks and public buildings and
fill every hotel aud boarding hou.e in the
city to its utmost capacity. The tn Ity years
that have passed over t.eir heals s.nce they
shouldered their muskets have left their
marks npon them. Their hair is white, their
forms bent and their STEPS slow hut under
the influence Of the flag bedecked streets, the
enthusiasm on every hand and the stirring
strains of the martial ais made so familiar
in every ca upaign and on every field
throughout the war they seemed TO forget
their age and swing along with a brisk
marching step. Many Of the veterans are
accompanied ny their wives, daughters aud
other members Of their families and il is
not an uncommon sight to sec post march
ing from a station TO quarters accompanied
by almost as many ladies' as their are mem
bers Of the organization. The ladies had
evidently come prepared TO do some rough
ing il with their husbands. They are, as a
rule, plainly and substantially dressed, and
carry their baggage in small hand satchels
They tramp the streets with the men aud
stand in the crowded street cars without
complaining,
The weather has been all that could be de
sired When the sun rose the sky was clear
and the air was cool and crisp. A light
breeze sprang up later and at no time dur
ing the day was the heat oppressive 20 the
crowds upon the street 1t had been feared
am equinoxial storm might set in and the
weather might be disagreeable all week,
with cold, driZzing rains, that would make
everybody uncomfortable and endanger the
lives Of tho thousands Of veterans sleeping in
the temporary barracks erected III the parks,
but the outlook now is favorable for several
days Of good weather. Tho bright sunlight
brought out the full beauty Of the decora-
tons, which are not confined to the busin 81
streets, but extend throughout the residence
districts
The programme for the opening day in
Guided street parade, the dedication of
Grand Army Place by Vice President Nor
ton, reunions Of different corps visits 10 the
White House and other places Of interest a
reception in the rotunda of the foundation
of a monument to General Crook. At the
last mentioned ceremony ex-President Hayes
presided and a speech was made by EXON
gresham Butterworth, who took advantage
of a CONSPICUOUS opportunity to point GU be
evils TO the whole country q unrestricted
immigration.