The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-31
THE VETERANS IN LINE.
Thousands of People See the Old
Soldiers March Along.

The march of war veterans, the military
and uniformed civic societies began prompt
ly at 2 o'clock. The column formed at the
corner of Washington and Alabama streets,
attended by the usual excitement OF rest
less, prancing steeds and the many little
vexations that fell to the lot of staff off,
GERS and marshals on such occasions. Wash
ington street from Alabama TO Tennessee
street was, thronged with people. The side
walks of the other t-horoughfares along
which the procession moved were damned
with people. and the Monument plaza and
the approaches to the big shaft held thou
sands. The decorations along the line of
march were not ~profuse but many of them
were prettily arranged and modestly re-
minded the veteran that the tribute of a
grateful country was yet his, and that he
was not forgotten. The weather was pleas
ant and the air just cool enough TO assure
the people that there was no danger of
rain. A brightly smiling sun now and then
hid its face behind fieecy clouds, but came
out again on flashing bayonets and sabers
and lit up the flag that draped the tall fig
ure of Oliver p. Morton.
The display of troops was an unusually
creditable one. The column included various
bands of music. survivors of the war of the
fCDCliiOI, oldtC Ald anu dAAhO AAiiSA -
cret societies. The procession smoved west
on Washington street to Pennsylvania,
north on Pennsylvania to Market. west on
Market to the circle, and around the monu-
ment to Meridian street; south on Meridian
to Washington. and then west again TO Ten
nessee street and to the power house of the
Citizens Street-railroad Company. The
crowd obeyed the instructions of the police
and confined itself to the sidewalks. Police
a a. -. @AAn1 . 80 A1rn
and cleared the way for the platoon of po-
lice under m of Captain Campbell
and Sergeants Hyland and Schwab. I'm
mediately in the rear of the platoon of po-
lice the steeds OF General Fred knefler and
staff of sixteen fairly danced over the pave
m ment b 30 ahe T Hbfef thir99 S S5 t q See of the H seq
ond Regiment of Indiana militia came next,
including three companies of colored troops
With brisk, smart step the young soldiers
came. their 1.-the figures clothed in natty
suits of blue and their white gloved hands
firmly clasping the. cleaning rifles. 1t was
BETTING the day that these strong young
soldiers should oficiate as the escort guard
to the band of war heroes.
Following the militia the indianapolis
LighG Artillery, under ommand of Captain
James b. Curtis. numbered along, the heavy
guns drawn by great strong horses. The
second division, In charge of Comrade John
NJ. Bonnie. and escorted by the Indianapolis
Military band, came next, followed by
George H. Thomas Post, G.. A. r., German
T Ee1apsI Rtn Dslsnf Pos Post Geo of eoI ai 6b 5r12ps;
49,
Post, Joseph r. Gordon Post. Major Robert
Anderson Post, and the Union Veteran Lee
gion. Each of the veterans wore the badge
OF his post, that modest insignia Of honor
so dearly earned. Many of them carried
garlands and wreaths of evergreens and
some had tucked bits of patriotic colors
through the button holes Of their coats. The
column of very many now gray-haired men
swung around the monument. many of them
with faltering step and STOPPING figure.
They came around the west side and APP
preached the Morton statue, its
fiag-draped figure towering above the heads
of the thousands. AS the veterans passed
the statue of Indiana's hero each man rev.
erently barred his head and seemed TO step
with softer tread. Then they marched away.
Between the posts of the G. A. r. rode the
State officials and representatives of the
Woman's Relief Corps, and following the
division of old soldiers came Col. James
r.. Ross and staff ahead of the Indianapolis
letter carriers and band. Colonel Heiskell
and staff came next with the Uniform Rank
of Knights of Pythias and preceded lodges
Nos. Al and pa of the /. O. o. +. cantons.
The Patriotic Order of Sons of America,
knights Of Honor, and the First Regiment
of the Boys Brigade came at the rear of
the procession. The march closed at the
power house and nearly all of those who
participated boarded the cars and were
taken to Crown Hill.