The Irish standard., 1894-09-15
THE BOYS In BLUE.
Pittsburgh Witnesses Probably the
Last q. a. r.. Parade.
Heroes Grow Too Feeble 20 March-Forty
Thousand Of Them, However, Keep
StaD Through the Streets to
the Old War Tunes.
THE FINAL TRAMP.

/.
PITTsBTReH, Pa, Sept. 10. Forty
thousand men who fought TO save the
union marched through the cities Of
Pittsburgh and Allegheny. The old
familiar war tunes, to which. they
and their comrades rushed to VIC
tory or to death, filled the air
and echoed back from the surround
ing hills. The music made their
hearts beat as in the stirring times Of
thirty years ago, and brought the flush
OF patriotism and courage to their
cheeks, But while they stepped out
boldly and bravely, they could not
straighten their bent forms nor con-
ceal their gray hairs aud furrowed
cheeks. They carried no heavy rifle
with its glittering bayopet, but
aided their aged limbs with walking
canes, while here and there In the line
| OF blue came comrade on crutches.
They marched no more beneath the
yawning muzzles OF frowning cannon,
but past battery after battery of bright
eyes while the fair enemy waved
white handkerchiefs and applauded
| with sweet voices.
Viewed by Throngs.
On every street corner and vacant
lot rose tier after tier of human faces,
| and as the veterans passed cheer after
cheer greeted them. Every window
along the route, the fire escapes and
roof tops were crowded, while the
sidewalks were packed solidly from
the building line to the wire rope
az ntoh oil %1e>n y f~, 10,
reference with the free movement Of
the parade of the Grand Army OF the
Republic.
At 1890 o'clock the parade started
FROM the historic Mouongahela house,
op the banks of the river from which
it takes it's name. First came COM
pany A, second battalion naval re-
serves, N. G. P, guard of honor to
Commander in Chief Adams, Then fol-
lowed the departments Of the Grand
Army Of the Republic in the following
| order:
Illinois, Wisconsin. Ohio, New York Con-
neoticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey. Maine,
| California, Rhode Island, New Hamp-
| shire, Vermont, Potomac, Virginia and
North Carolina; Maryland, Nebraska Mich
| igan, Iowa, Colorado and Wyoming;
Kansas, Delaware. Minnesota, Missouri,
| Oregon, Kentucky, West Virginia, South Da-
kota, Washington and Alaska, Arkansas, New
Mexico. Utah, Tennessee, Louisiana and Mis-
siSstppi, Florida, Montana, Texas, Idaho, Art-
! zona, Georgia, Alabama, North Dakota, Okla
homs, Indian territory, Indiana, Penusyl-
vRnia.
Lavish Decorations.
The decorations of the two cities
| were most lavish It was stated by
men who had attended many previous
.encampments that while individual
displays may have been exceIled in
other cities, they had never seen dec
orations on such generous and gem
| eral scale. Hardly dwelling, no mat
ter how poor or how far from the route
| of parade, but at least had flag, and
| usually q display Of bunting as well,
while the business houses in every
part of the cities made gorgeous
showing. ..~..
1t is impossible to form any accurate
estimation of the spectators. Every
available inch along the route as
packed, every side street was jammed
full of people for a hundred yards,
and the housetops for blocks away
were hidden by masses of enthusiastic
Applauders- A rough estimate is that
between SOC, 900 and 600, 900 people saw
the parade.
May BE the Last Parade.
This was probably the last time the
veterans will turn out in such force,
AZ It is seriously contemplated by
the grand army officials, in view
Of the. advancing age and infirmi-
ties of the members, to abandon this
most attractive feature of the national
enoampment. Therefore they proposed
to make the last parade success, and
tramped over the two miles of route
with the same determination that
characterized them when they
marched against the southern armies.
The arrangements for the comfort OF
the marchers were excellent. At short
distances apart were stati oned emer-
gency hospitals, with the red cross fut-
terfng before the door, while all along
the route were men with cool water
and lemonade for the veterans.
/ Elected Offcers.
I The National Association of Naval
Veterans met during the morning and
elected the following officers: Comme-
dore, VIII E. Atkins, Cincinnati; cap.
tain and shipmate, George G. Ireland,
Brooklyn; commander, s. w. Shaw,
GAINESVILLE, o.; lieutenant commander,
J.J. Gilman, Boston.
Il Campfres at Night.
After the parade the veterans pre-
pared for the campfres and reunions
in the evening. Every hall and public
building in Pittsburgh and Allegheny
held an enthusiastic crowd Of old sol
diers and their friends. The guest OF
lhonor at all OF them was Gov. McKin-
ley. He was billed to speak at three
or four different places, and was rapid
" driven from one hall to another.
Says Strikes EAre Illegal
| BUFFALO, N. Y, Sept. 10.-In m in
terview in this city General Master