The Portland daily press., 1898-09-23
Everywhere They We're Greeted
With Vocifsrous Cheers.
GRAND DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS
AND ILLUMINATIONS.

Portland Cadets, Naval Reserves, Letter
Carriers, Firemen and Others Did
Escort Duty-Lunch Served at the
Armory-CeIebration a Great Success.
Portland was ablaze with red fire last
night and bubbling over with enthusi-
asm. The streets were Illuminated with
countless electric lights of all colors and
almost every house along the route of the
parade displayed bunting, japanese lant-
erns or otherwise Illuminated in honor OF
the returning heroes. The streets were
lined with people who cheered themselves
hoarse when the blue coated volunteers
marched past and every one in the city
did all that could be done to welcome the
Portland soldiers home again.
At 73O O'Clock the column, forming
the escort, headed by the Cadet band,
marched down Exchange street to the
armory and there received the Portland
battalion. The armory was handsomely
decorated iths.electric lights, ths whole
front of the large building being ablaze
with incandescents Of three hues. The sold
Ter boys who so gallantly marched away
early in May to do whatever they were
called upon to do for their country. swung
into line here and the parade thus formed
marched about the city.
The appearance of the men as they
swung along the streets behind the escort.
ing column. spoke palmer than words OF
the hardships they have undergone. The
men who left Portland several months
ago IN the. pink of condition and strong
and well were seeii to be thin, emaciated
and many of them were worn with sick
ness and just out of the hospital. They
had the swinging stride aDd steadiness
of veterans, but had Lost their jaunty
appearance and though they undoubtedly
en- joyed the ovation all along the line of
march they evidently looked upon the
parade as duty rather than a pleasure.
First came the chief marshal and his
staff, mounted on handsome steeds and
riding like centaurs. Gen. John j. Lynch
was chief marshal, with Col. E. G. Milli-
ken as chief of staff. The aids were Leroy
S. Sanborn, Hartley G. Eaton, r. Z.
Mcclellan. Col John G. Cobb and VIM.
j. McCuilum.
Then came a squad of Portland's finest
and after them the American Cadet
band of 80 pieces.
The High School Cadets, Major Boyd
commanding, came next. There were
two companies in line with about rs
men. This was the only command bear
ing arms in the parade and they had the
right of the line. The High School boys
always march well, always look well and
are always popular when they appear in
parades and last night they were ap.
plauded again and again as they swung
through the streets.
After the Cadets came the Portland
Naval Reserves, recently mustered out of
the United States service. There were so
of them all told and they made credit
able appearance in their jaunty blue suits
and leggings. Again and again was
their fine marching applauded as they
marched along and they got their full
share of the applause on every hand.
After the naval Reserves came the letter
carriers, 30 in number, in command of
M. J. Regan. These men, although they
have miles to walk every day in deliver
ing Uncle Sans mail. were anxious to
turn out to show their loyalty to the sold
Ter boys of Portland and they ELECTED
many cheers and much applause all along
the line.
Then came past members of the Port
land Light Infantry, Portland Cadets,
Montgomery Guards and Sheridan
Rifles, % in all, leach carrying a flag and
marching with that steadiness only at
| ta1ned by long years of drilling.
Chief Engineer Eldridge with so men
of the Portland Fire Department, was
| the next command. The fire laddics,
dressed in natty.blue uniforms and con-
Quoting themselves like veteran soldiers,
received much applause on every hand.
| Then came the men whom this parade
was to honor. The Maine State Fife
and Drum Corps, 20 men In all, furnished
excellent music for the soldier boys and
showed themselves capable of the finest
kind of music for marching.
The Portland battalion was in con.
mand of Capt. George A. Dow, with
Lieut.. M. j. Sullivan as adjutant and
Lieut.. Philbrook as aid. Company A,
with Lieut.s Lang in command was in
line with 23 men. Lieut. Lang has only
recently been promoted to second lieu
| tenant of volunteers for meritOrious ser
vice as sergeant major of the First Maine
Regiment