The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-09-21
FIFTY THOUSAND men IN LINE.
The Immense Grand Army Par
ade in Washington.
1t Took About Seven Hours for It to Pass
"a Given Point-There were.Two Hun
dred and Fifty Bands In the Process
sion--scenes Along the Line OF March.
Washington !Overrun. with Visitors.

Ano "ooehoE LUZ 1Ao BrSHI 0E6uu army
OF the Republic parade review was per-
feet at the beginning-one of those rich
autumnal days for which Washington Ia
famous. There was haze in the air in
the morning that softened the effect of
the sunlight on brightly decorated
buildings, and brought contrasting
colors almost into harmony, and this
morning resembles that memorable card
Of May, 1865, when the battle-stsined
veterans of the army of the United
States began their march along Pennsyl-
yania avenue to DO reviewed for the last
time by the great commanders who are
now no more. But the weather goddess
was tickle, and as the hour fixed for the
starting OF the procession drew nigh,
the sky began to fill with light drab
clouds and soon the day was gray and
gloomy.
Half past nine O'Clock is an early hour
for Washington parade, but the pro.
cession had been set for that hour and
long before then the streets were lined
with people.
+ Veterans formed in line ct their re-
spective headquarters and march ed
chiefly by side streets to the place of
formation, headed by bands, whose con-
tinuous playing was refreshing to spec
tators.
On the lawn adjoining the south wing
OF the Treasury building, a large covered
stand had been erected, on which sat
some 800 school girls all in white
dresses. Each OF the girls also held in
her hand small flag and with songs or
Dealing shouts OF Joy and the waving of
tiny flags they entered into the spirit of
the occasion with all the life and ear
nestness that only young and innocent
children can SO charmingly display.
FARTHER down the avenue near Central
market the colored school girls were
massed together on stand. At the
hour for the start large crowds were
massed on all the streets radiating from
the Capitol. On all sides the eye gazed
on nothing but aged men plainly attired
in blue clothes with gilt buttons and
SLOUGH hats, save an occasional post
with white helmets, and except where
showed the bright uniforms of the bands,
OF which there seemed enough to sound
n trumpet call that would shake the
nation.
The head of the procession swung into
Fifteenth street past the Treasury De.
partment at 1O:30 and the last of It
passed the same spot at 6:15. The
parade was led by the Old Guard band
OF this city in white and red uniform
covered with wilderness OF aigrettes,
gold cords and trimmings. Behind
came the Old Guard itself in four COM
panies Of double columns, dressed in q
neat uniform with head gear OF black
waving shakos. Then came the ALBANY
City band, Commander in. Chief Palmer.
with mounted staff of 600 men. Then
came the Carter band of Boston leading
the Sixth Massachusetts and the first
defenders OF Pennsylvania, who as the
first Corners in 1861 had the right of
line In precedence OF all grand army
posts Illinois headed the line of Sta te
posts.
Next came the Wisconsin men carry
Ing at their head the stuffed skin of the
eagle named "Oid Abe" which was car
ried during the war by thu Eighth in
fantry from that State. Pennsylvania
came next and was the banner State of
the pr. cession. There were above ten
Thousand of her veterans in line and it
took them an hour and a half to pass
given point. New York came next to
Pennsylvania in point OF number, her
delegation requiring just an hour to
pass-probablY 5000 men. Ohio turned
out 5000 strong. Connecticut2,5 500, Mas.
sachusetts 5000, Kansas 1000. Missouri
1000, Kentucky 1880, and altogether
about SO, 600 men IN arched in the parade.
The Department. OF Virginia and
North Carolina marched 700 men in
line. Department Commander Edgar
Allan was attended by his mounted
staff Farragut Post, of Portsmouth, and
Phil Kearney Post, of Richmond, were
at the head on either side. The latter
post Is composed of about one half col
ored mon. There were thirty two posts
In this department. and the feature OF
this column was the appearance of
large number OF old war-worn veterans
bejonging to soldiers homes-Alabama,
George A. Custer Post, 40 strong; Ten
nessee, 200 men, carving white UNI.
brellas. Louisiana and Mississippi did
we'll considering their remoteness and
the Department. of Florida was repre-.
sented by number of comrades led by
Department Commander j. Dew. RaZ.
gard.
In every way the parade equalled the
expectations of its projectors. More
men were in line than at any other
Grand Army parade. The appearances
Of the men was highly creditable to the
organization. The crowd which wit
messed the parade was very large and
the steadiness of its attention showed
that long as the parade was 1t was full
of interest. Bands aided in keeping up
this interest. By actual count there
were more than ESQ of them, not count
ing numerous instances where a post
was led by drummer OF by two or three
of their comrades playing flies and
drums. The weather, though at times
cloudy, was free from rain, pleasant and
just warm enough for comfort, in fact a
typical overcast September day.
The streets were swarminp with peo-