The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-19

the Appreciation of Their Country.
Gov. Atkinson of Georgia a Guest
of COmmander-in-Chi Breckin-
ridge, and Joined Heartily Into the
Festivities-Wben the Grand Old
Chatham Artillery snIuted, the
Proud Governor stood With UncOv-
cred Head in Honor of the Historic
Organization.
Correspondence Of the Morning News.
Chattanooga, Tenn, Aug. 17-Over 1OO,-
OG0 soldiers and civilians converted Chick
amauga Park to-day into one dense mass
of moving humanity.
The day, with the exception of being
quite warm, was an ideal one for the oc-
casion which was review of all of the
troops stationed at the park under COM
mand of Maj. Gen. ]. c. Breckenridge.
The commander-in-chef looked every
inch q soldier mounted upon a superb
black horse. Upon his right rode Gov. w.
Y. Atkinson Of Georgia. who came up here
last night accompanied by several mem
bers of his staff. The reviewing stand was
opposite the parade ground, a large open
and perfectly level tract of land. especially
laid out for drill and maneuverlng pur-
poses.
Gov. Atkinson was present as the guest
Of Gen. Breckenridge, and when the pa
rade was over he and his staff dined with
the commander-in-chief at his headquar-
ters in the field.
Gen. Breckenridge, his invited guests, and
his staff appeared I'm the open space in
front of the parade ground at O'clock,
and his appearance on the field was an
nounced by military salute fired In honor
of Gov. Atkinson of Georgia, from small
copse of wood on a hin a short distance
in the rear. The sight was one that will
never be forgotten by any one who had the
good fortune to be present. An American
could not but feel proud that he was an
American.
When the review was being formed, Gen.
Breckenridge, with Gov. Atkinson at his
side, and accompanied by his staff, rode
down the line and as he passed the long
line of happy faces he was greeted with
continuous cheering.
A sort Of half-holiday prevailed in Chat
tanooga, at the request of the Mayor, and
large portion of the citizens of Chatia-
nooga, were on hand to witness this mag
niticent military festival. Thousands of
people, unable to reach the grounds
through the limited railroad facilities, COW
cred the distance, about twelve miles, in
carriages, wagons and every description of
ancient and modern style of vehicle, So
ciety people largely composing the crowd
who drove out to the grounds in private
conVeyances.
The display consisted of 1900 troops,
composed of every branch of the land
forces of the nation. All of the men were
wei uniformed and armed, and the sight
was, probably, the most imposing that will
! ne witnessed in the South, if any other
! part of the country for many years to
| come, particularly in view of the fact
| that peace now having been practically
assured many of the troops, who were out
on review to-day, will soon be mustered
! out of service
A score or more mounted men acted as
| guards, and the interest and enthusiasm
! displayed by the immense audience gave
| the men all that they could do to hold the
crowd in check.
AS the several brigades and divisions
come down the line, in review, their COM
manders and their field and staff officers
dropped out of line and drew up with the
| group composed of Gen. Breckenridge, his
| guests and the staff of the commandments
chief of the army at Chickamauga, leav-
| ing the regiments in command of their Of
| ficers.
The cavalry moved first and passed the
| reviewing stand in platoons by troops sa-
| luting the commanding officers as they
| passed the stand. A short distance from
this point, the cavalry broke into columns
| or tours and charged up a steep hill
! jumping a large ravine which had been
worked out by severe rains, about half
| way up the incline. This performance
| brought forth cheers and clouds of dust
in indiscTibable quantities. Threats were
choked with dust, but the crowds yelled
| all the same and cheered
the charging troopers at every
! jump of their horses. Many of the
troopers in their wild ride lost their army
| hats, but these, however, were picked up
on the end of the sabers of some comrade
riding in the rear, and as they showed
| their skill in this line they were individu-
ally greeted with cheers and applause, as
| compensation for their horsemanship ex-
hibited In this connection The artillery
followed next, and made a magnificent
| showing. The guns were drawn by four
! horses and the, caissons by six. The bat
/ teries were brought up in double file, and
! passed the reviewing stand, at the usual
! time of marching, but when the foot of
the hill was reached they were lmbered
! up by a terrific dash up the incline, the
! officers and men urging the horses for
ward, while the horses themselves seemed
| to enter into the spirit of the charge with
! all the power and enthusiasm that they
could command. AS they jerked their
! heavy loads behind them they seemed
| every moment to be on the verge of Jump
| ing out of their harness and leaving
! their loads behind them. It was a
| grand sight. The Georgia batteries were
| given a rousing reception and they de-
! served all the applause that they received.
! as they made a superb showing. The in
/ fantry feature of the review, by reason
of superiority of numbers, made by far
| the best show. This was for no other
reason than that the Infantry was largely
in excess of either of the other branches
! of the services in point of numbers. Each
| regiment was supplied with band.
! At apport arms the several regi-
ments marched by the grand stand, the
| band playing some national air suitable
| to the occasion. The music of each band
| suspended. as the last of the command
passed the stand so as to give way Tor
! the bands of other regiments coming in
! the rear. The Dfantry passed the stand
twice and on its Second trip when the hill