The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-09-22
GRAND ARMY REUNION.
THE TWENTY FIFTH ANNUAL EN-
CAMPMENT AT WASHINGTON.
The Old Warriors Again Parade Psnnsyl.
vania Avenue, Where, Foo.sore and
Weary With Fighting, They
Made the Last Review.

first time since the Inauguration
twenty-six years ago, the Grand
Army of the Republic is holding its
annual reunion here. One weeks en-
campment began today. Washington
is thronged with visitors, the largest
crowd ever known being present. Ex-
President Hayes is here, but President
Harrison, who was expected to open
the exercises, was unable To attend
owing to his wife's precarious condi-
ton. Business Is suspended and the
city is gaily decorated in holiday at
tire. 1t is perfect autumn day and
the streets were crowded at an early
hour.
For twenty-five years the comrades
have met this way, but never have
they gathered at Washington. If the
years rolled past and comrades
dropped out of line the remainder of
the great host longed to come once
again to the Capital city and tread
once more its broad and magnificent
avenue on which they stepped with
erect figure and martial bearing in
1865, in the great review at the end of
the war. At last this longing is graf
flied and today the Grand Army of
the Republic began the first day of a
weeks reunion in the city of Wash
ington.
For days past comrades have been
gathering from every part of the
Union and the result is an attendance
no man can make close estimate Of,
and certainly this surpasses any ever
before seen in Wash ngton. When
the sleeping hosts awoke this morning
the comrades met perfect early au-
tumn day. Early rising was the rule
and the streets were crowded at On
early hour. Most of the people of the
district appeared to have abandoned
the idea OF business in favor Of holt
day.
Rarely in it's history has the nation
al capital appeared more resplendent
than in the gorgeous costume donned
in honor of the Grand Army of the
Republic.
Nearly all streets and avenues were
deliberately and handsomely deco
rated, but the display on historic
Pennsylvania avenue from the capitol
to Washington's equestorian statue at
Twenty-second street was particular
ly brilliant. Every building along
the entire street was decorated, the
great parade being almost covered
with flags and bunting. Public
buildings received special care and
decorations of the White House and
treasury department were conspic-
uously elaborate and beautiful. Oh
more than usual merit from an artistic
standpoint are the decorations of the
reviewing stands erected for the use
of the vice. president aud commander
in-chief on Pennsylvania avenue di.
rectly in front of the treasury build.
ing and war department respectively
The latter stand will show more dis
tinctively the character OF the occas
ION. 1t is the grand army stand
Pension hall, where the citizens com
mittee will hold a reception in honol
of the officers and members of the en-
campment, is also decorated.
The feature of the day and one o
historic interest was the inauragatiol
and dedication of Grand Army Place
otherwise known as the White Lot
south of the grounds of the executive
mansion. 1t is a magnificent lawn
comprising many acres covered will
will kent green sod and unbroken by
a single tree or bush. In the centr'
of the field representing "Richmond
Capital of the Confederacy," is com
fortable grand stand. Surroundings
are myriads of tents set apart and re
preventative of the positions of thu
various army corps that wound up thu
war. The novelty of the ground il
the place set apart for the reunion o
naval and marine veterans
on which has been erected .
reproduction of the famous frigat'
Kearsage, which sunk the Confeder
ate cruiser Alabama after she made
herself the unparalleled destroyer o
commerce..
The Inauguration of Grand Army
place was preceded by a parade o
considerable proportions, the princi-
pal part in which was taken by thu
regular soldiers, sailors and marines
stationed in Washington and the DIG
trict of Columbia National Guards
The procession consisted of five
brigades, commanded by Genera
Eugene A. Carr, United States army
made up of the above mentioned bod
les with parts of the department o
the Potomac Grand Army of the
Republic and sons of veterans. The
procession started at 10 o'clock from
Second street west of the Capitol anc
proceeded up Pennsylvania avenue tt
| the Strand in front of the treasury
where it was reviewed by vice Presl'
dent Morton. The main body contin
and on the way by Fifteenth street
into the grand army, the cavalry con
tingent remaining behind to form an
escort for Vice President Morton, Sen
ators Henderson, Palmer and Proctor
officially representing the sena' o.
the United States. Senator Paddock
General McCook, the secretary OF the
serate and Sergeant-at-arms Valen
tine. General Palmer, commander
in-chief of the Grand Army of the
Republic, and staff, General Schfieid
and staff, Admiral Greer, Col. g. M
Hustled and DIR. Erin Gardner, who
descended from the platform after the
last company had passed and taking
ca r,ages were escorted to Grand
Arnov of the Republic Place, where