The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-09-12
RED. WHITE AND BLUE
THE PARADE OF THE e.. A. IL.
THROUGH MILES OF BUNr-
ING AND CHEERS.
BuTAFRIGHTFUL DISASTER CAME

BUl A fRiGhtful UlSAoIeh IRmE
The Explosion of a..Saiutc-Gun Caused
the Death of Four and the Wounding
of fSeverai Members of the Louisville
Legion--Portraits of Old Union
Generals Along the Line The Parade
Headed by Two Ex~Confederates
With Red. W hite and Blue Scarfs.
LOUISVILLE, KY, Sept. II After all
the demonstrations of the week, the pa
rade to day was the event of the twenty
ninth national encampment of the G. A.
R., as it has been of all former encamp
ments. The air was full of patriotic
music, ard the streets were carnivals of
richness in design and provision of the
red, white and blue.
Along miles of bunting and amid hun
dreds of thousands of cheering citizens,
the comrades once more marched on
Southern soil. No contrast could be
greater than that of the reception of the
gateway of the South to day to tie OPP
position at its portals thirty four years
ago.
The veterans themselves were the most
interesting feature of the parade,
although everything that money and in
genuity could command of warlike de-
signs were added to the procession. The
veterans had spent two days and nights
at camp fires and re unions, in hunting
up bunk mates and comrades, and in
talking over old experiences in the SER
vice, but they say they never feel ''like
old times, y till they get in line.
And they formed long, strong line
of yankees" in marching through Ken
tucky today, while thousands of "John-
nies" grew hoarse in cheering them
along the way. And the ladies of Lou
isville and from all parts of the South,
in brilliant dress, joined in the great
chorus of cheers as heartily as they were
intense in bitterness along the marches
in the days of strife.
The veterans showed the weight of
years and the effect of service while
marching today. 1t was the general re-
mark that there were never so many
old. lame and feeble men in line.
None of the old Union generals around
whom they gathered so fondly at form
or encampmants, and whose carriages
they cheered SO Justify in former parades,
were here. Their portraits were seen
along the line Of march, but they are
bivouacking where most of their COM
rands will soon join them.
At sunrise the only clouds were from
the salute of forty guns, and the weather
even was for peace. The departments
began forming at an early hour under
the special orders to have the procession
move promptly at 40:30 a. m.
AT 9:30 another salute was fired for
the grand division 10 form. at 10 a.
m, the guns indicated that the escort
was moving to the head of the column
and at 1890 the salute signalled all of
the grand divisions to move. Under a
proclamation Of the Mayor, the streets
where the divisions formed and the en-
tire line of march were cleared of every
thing, while the Louisville Legion, the
cadets and Kentucky National Guard
patrolIed the streets, and there was no
delay. Mounted police first cleared the
way, followed by large detachment.
The parade was headed, some distance
in front Of the first grand division, by
two ex Confederates on horse ba1k, Capt
John H. Weller and Capt. VIM. II. Har-
Eson. They did not wear the gray, but
were dressed in black frock coats, with
silk hats and red, white and blue sashes,
the sane as members of the citizens
committee. They also wore red, white
and blue scarf Id rosettes. Capt. Weller
carried very large flag, and the stars
and stripes were proudly borne by him.
Capt. Harrison carritd a very large
white banner Of peace mounted on
staff Ike the stars and carried by his
Confederate comrade. The two flags
were alike in every respect except In
the eolors, one being all pure white.
Ia place OF the eagle on top of the staff
the white banner had a dove carrying
an olive twig, designating peace and
good will. The conception of these two
ex-Ocnfederates at the head of the great
procession OF ex Federal soldiers, with
their respective flags, was that Of Col.
Cohn, chairman of the committee on
parade and review.
The procession moved on time to the
monument 70 the great satisfaction of
hundreds Of thousands suffering from
pafS bcat akohB tl6 iiu0 VI HdIclls dS wen
as those in line. The thermometer stood
at so and there we're number of heat
prostrations among the spectators and
veterans in line Gen. I.aWler estimated
the number OF veterans in line to be
30, 000
A horrible accident resulting in the
death of four and the wounding of
several her members of the Louisville
Legion, occurred shortly after $50
o'clock this morning by the explosion Of
q caiason.
The accident occurred on Broadway,
between third and foHrth sseets, where
the first Kentucky artillery were sta
toned for the purpose Of firing the morn
ing salute
BE witnesses Of the disaster say that
tbe explosion was caused by dropping
He caisGon on the frictBoE primer Of the
piece. The &In was situated directly in
she center of the stKeet, pointing towagd
Fourth avenue
TWo Of the bodies were tl0wD oYerthe
house p3 and horribly nangled. Two
hRses attached to the cannon were so