Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-09-10

from the fields of victory, 10000 veter-
ans of the triumphant armies OF Grant
and Sherman passed along PennsylVa-
MIA avenue in Washington May % and
"a. 1865, in the grand review Whlch
marked the close of the long and tragic
civil war.
But the veterans were not eXultant.
They were happy in their mighty Victo-
ries of arms but happier in Hhelr
mighty victory Of peace. With Lincoln
slain only a month before, the tide OF
low was checked. It was solemn oc-
casion, but it's solmenity added to its
impressiveness. Curiously enough, 1t
was the first spectacle of the kind the
country had ever witnessed. The ma
ton had had it's wars, but no pageant
had marked their successful termlna-
ton. The flag had been planted upon
the heights Of Mexico, and then the
various divisions of the United States
army had gone home separately. At
the close of the war of 1872 the con-
quering forces melted away and dis
appeared without display. Our fore
fathers, after wrestling the colonies
from England's grasp, returned to their
farms with no greater ceremony than
Washingtons farewell.
At the close of the long war of the
rebellion, however, it was thought fit
ting that the defenders of the union
should pass in review before their vic
torious commander and the grateful
people
This was the first parade of the
Grand Army of the Republic, and al
though it was before the fraternity
wasformally organized by DR.. Stephen
son, it has always been considered the
first parade of the order. That was
thirty-fve years ago, and before the
honored veterans respond to the last
muster may two-score years have
passed.
At the close of the civil war the two
great armies were in and near the cap
ital city All of the soldiers compos-
ing them dwelt at the north, and
Washington was better place than
any other for their dispersion. The
fortitude of the men and the struggles
in which they had borne so brave a
part deserved commemoration, and out
of this sentiment grew the march
which is repeated yearly.
At the time of the review the coun-
try in general, and the city of Wash
ington in particular, had just passed
through stirring scenes. The fall OF
Richmond had been received there
with jubilant demonstrations, the de-
partment employees pouring out into
the streets to cheer and shout; the sur
render of Lee had added to the general
rejoicing; the foul assassination OF
President Lincoln had rudely checked
the tide of joy, and feverish excitement
had taken the place of joyous congrat-
ulations AS the days wore on, how
ever, the public mind became calmer,
and when the day of the parade ar
rived the wheels of government had
already recovered their equilibrium.
The interest in the review was intense.
Announcement by Secretary of War
Stanton that the armies would be re-
viewed directed the tide of travel to
Washington Extra trains, carrying
double and treble the number usually
borne, arrived in quick succession at
the depot; the steamers from Alexan-
dria and points along the river were
loaded down and the roads leading to
the city were thronged by country
people from far and near. Day by day
the concourse swelled, until on the
night preceding the first days review
thousands were turned away from the
hotels and hundreds spent the night in
the open air.
Nor was their patience and patriotic
curiosity unrewarded. For six hours
Tuesday the bronzed heroes of the
Army of the Potomac, marching
twenty abreast along the wide and
beautiful Pennsylvania avenue, poured
through the city $4,000 strong. The
scene was one to thrill the coolest
heart, while nature herself seemed &c
have conspired to make the day mem
orable. The trees which fringed the
avenue with their verdure had beer
washed in the rains of previous days
and were brilliantly green; the sky
was exquisitely blue, with just enough
of white floating clouds to deepen its
loneliness; the air was fresh and balmJ
and a light breeze famed the guidonE
and banners. AS the rolling mass o.
cavalry, preceded by the conquering
generals, each surrounded by his nu-
merous and brilliant staff, swept past
and the fluttering of silken banners
the PARKWAY CLEAN of 10000 bright
bayonets rising and sinking in the IN
dulations of the marching column, the
roll of the artillery, the swelling
strains of exultant music, and the
shouts of the throngs upon the pave
ments and housetops burst upon the
ear or startled the eye, the effect wa'
one which made an indelible impress
sion on the one who had the good for
tune to be present.
aL fn no rti nj