The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-11
The Great Day Of Grand
Army Boys.
Wearers OF The Blue Marching Once
Mere on Sou hern Soil.
"Oid Ned" the Warrior, In the
Loudly Cheercd Procession.

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sept. II. After all the
demonstrations of the week. the parade
today was the event OF the 18th National
Encampment O. the q. A. r., as II has
been of all former encampmenfs. Along
miles of bunting and amid hundreds OF
Thousands of cheering citizens, the com
rades once more marched on southern
soil. No contrast could be greater than
that o. the reception of the Gateway oi
the South today TO the opposition at its
portals 81 years ago. only one thlng
could have added 10 the imposing grand
eur of the demonstration, and that Is tue
electrical display. The picturesque array
OF red white aud blue electric lights
across all the prominent streets, intersec-
tions, and on many buildings, nat had
been admired SO much by the visitors,
could not contribute TO the glory of the
day.
But the veterans themselves were the
most interesting feature OF the Parade, al
though ever. thing tina, money or ingen"
uity could commend in the way OF war
like designs were added 10 the process
sion. The veterans had spent two days
and nights in oamrfres and reunions, IN
hunting UP bunk mates aud comrades,
and in talking ov-r old experiences in
the service. nut they say they never feel
alike old times" till they get in line.
And they formed long, strong line OF
yankees in marching through Ken
nies' gew hoarse in cheering them along
the way And The lasses OF Louisville and
from all parts of the South, in brilliant
dress, Joined in the great chorus OF
cheers
The veterans showed the weight of
years, and the effects OF service while
marching today. 1t was the general re-
mark that there were never SO many old,
lame and feeble men in line, but they
proudly kept step and "tramped, tramped
tramped," just as though they were the
boys still, "Marching through Georgia.
They seemed to feel sad that they were
under new commanders, but also TO re-
joice that they had survived TO see this
IAew era. None of the old Union generals
around whom they gathered SO fondly at
former encampments and whose carriages
they cheered SO Justify in former parades,
was here. Their portraits were seen
along the line of march, but they are
bivouacing where most of the comrades
will soon join them.
At sunrise the only clouds were from
the salute OF Al guns.
The departments began forming at an
early hour, under the special orders to
have the procession move promptly at
1890
At $50 another salute was fired for the
first grand division to form. At 10 a.. m.
the guns indicated that the escort was
moving TO the head OF the column and at
1880 the salute signalled all OF the ten
grand divisions 10 move.
Under proclamation Of the Mayor the
streets where the divisions formed and
the entire line of march were cleared
everything while the Loulvsille Le-
gion, the Cadets OF Kentucky Ma
tional Guard patrolled the streets
and there was no delay. Mounted police
first cleared the way. The parade was
headed some disatnce in front of the first
grand division by two distinguished ex-
Confoderates on horseback, Captain John
ii. Weller and Captain William Ill. Harri-
son. They did not wear the gray, but
were dressed in black Prince Alberts with
silk hats and red, white and blue sashes,
| the same as members of the citizens
committee. They also wore red, white
| and blue scarfs and rosettes. Captain
| Weller carried q very large flag and Stars
and Stripes were proudly borne by him.
Captain Harrison carried a very large
white banner of peace mounted on a staff
! like the Stars and Stripes, carried by his
| Confederate comrade The two flags were
alike in every respect except in the col
| ors, one being all pure.w hite.
Among the features OF the parade was
| "Old Ned, the war horse, over 40 years
| old, that has heretofore tramped with the
| boys along the line of march. "Old Ned
is now so feeble that he today rode on a
float. The New Hampshire Department
carried a large eagle. The Ohio boys all
wore buckeyes, the Kentuckians had corn
and crackers and others bore the mblems
| of their states.