The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-02
THE BRIGADE PARADE.
"A Magnificent Sight Witnessed by 3d.
900 or More People.

A Magnificent Sight Witnessed by 3d.
o or More People.
Thirty thousand people saw over $500 men
drill last evening at the first brigade parade
at Camp Mount, and the sight and sounds
stirred the spirit of patriotism and pride
In their hearts, which burst forth in thun-
derous cheers.
AT the first blare of the bands, as the regi-
ments took up their march to the parade
grounds in front Of the amphitheater, the
crowd, which had already gathered there
ana around the race track, was increased
by thousands who had been wandering
about the camp. The amphitheater became
crowded to it's fullest capacity, and around
the race track Enclosures the crowds gath
cred, forming a circle entirely around the
mile. Those who could not get in the am
phitheater and were not content to remain
at the track sides, pushed into the drill
ground, filling up the space which was not
used by the troops.
The soldier boys were eager to appear at
their best before the great throng, from
which nearly all of them knew were watch
ing either their parents, brothers and sis
tiers or sweethearts, and with heads proudly
erect and with a steady swing they marched
into the drill grounds from four directions.
their regfmental bands playing their loudest
and their officers riding or walking digni-
nedly before them. The greater part of the
spectators We're too far removed from the
troops TO note the men without uniforms
or guns, and 1t seemed to them that the
ranks of blue were ~unbroken; besides, the
new men have been so thoroughly worked
IN drills during the past week that they
attracted no attention because of awkward
movements.
The intricate maneuvers which led to the
forming, of the troops in battalions were
watched closely by the vast crowd, and
WnGn tina n inns ~ 1nn% fn4AI Al~ ----4
theater, the officers ranged in front. a
mighty approving cheer went up from the
The mounted officers galloped around the
troops, making the circuit of the inside in
closure of the track. As they passed each
horses dance excitedly and completing a
spirited picture. The crowd was moved to
e epiHisiS iSa ehEeeriq Hod BY the playing q
Folks at Home" The band furthest away
from the crowded amphitheater could hard
there; a locomotive shooting by on the near
by railroad whistled and drowned the music.
AS the officers drew nearer and a nearer
9and took up the music, the tune became
distinguishable and started the crowd to
cheering. Down the line the officers dashed.
and the music became fainter and fainter
until 1T was again almost lost.
A sharp command rang down the line, and
the troops turned to begin the march that
and his staff in review. 1t was then that
the boys stepped out with their best foot
VAWdlu, II was tneH LndC the drum majors
threw their chests out further: the musi-
clans put the breath into their horns and
the horses danced their highest. A cheer
started at the place where the first bat
talon began the march and ran like wild
fire around the circle until it reached the
arnphitheater,. where it burst into an up
roar. The stiff breeze blew the banners out
in waves, and as their bearers passed their
general and his staff they dipped them in
his honor. The cheering continued as com
pany after company in seemingly endless
array passed General Mckee and his staff;
infantry. artillery, hospital corps and am
bulance and signal corps, and until the reg
iments turned into the exits from the in
closure and marched back TO quarters new
throats took UP the shouts as others tired
themselyes in one long. qnceasing din;
the general and his staff rode to head
quarters the crowd surged toward the
southern part of the grounds, the most of
them bound homeward, but it was after
darkness began to fall that the last person
passed out of the central part of the camp.
AS the thousands together had so enthusi-
a~stically paid their tribute to the young
soldiers, so did the individuals in conver-
sations when the drill was finished, and the
praise that they had merited was given to
the country's willing defenders without
stint