Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-09-13

tanned by the southern sun and fresh
from the fields of victory, 150, 900 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 which |
marked the close Of the long and tragic |
civil war.
But the veterans were not eXuItant. |
They were happy in their mighty Vlcto-
ries Of arms, but happier in vheir |
mighty victory Of peace. With Lincoln
slain only a month before, the tide or
ioy was checked 1t was solemn oc-
casion, but it's solmenity added to its
impressiveness. Curi0usly enough, it
was the first spectacle of the kind the
country had ever witnessed. The ma
ton had had its 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 1912 the con-
ouering forces melted away and dis
appeared without display. Our fore
fathers, after wrestling the colonies
from EngIands grasp, returned to their
farms with no greater ceremony than
Washington's 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
was formally 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 a better place than
any other for their dispersion The
fortitude of the men and the struggles
in which they had borne so brave
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, just passed
foil of
Richmond had beer 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 carving
doubIe and treble the number usually
hor,a arrived in cuicI succession at
the denat. HE steamers from Alexau-
dria and points along the river were
loaded down and The roads leading to
tho CITY v-ora +hrcngpd nv country
naon7a from far and near n3v bv day
the canconrse swaIIed, until on the
nteht preceding The first DAVIS review
thousands were Turned away from the
hotels and hundreds spent the night in
Tho onan air
Nor WIS their natience and natrfotic
,nriositv unrawarded For six hours
r1osda1, the bronzed heroes Of tne
hr,,v Of t1a potomac marching
tr,op4,, ,h,oost a1,no tho wide and
bo,n+;f,1 pannevIvania avenue roured
tb,.ough tho cf+,- X oO0 STRONG The
e.,,,o ,,,,s one ~ +briu tho coolest
hoor+ v.hi1o ,,.+,,ro barso1f scanned -
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