The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-08-20
WISCONSIN VETERAN
DROPS OUT OF LINE
Pathetic Incident OF the GA. r.
Parade of Weak Old Vet
erdnS.

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Aug. 19. -
Ten thousand survivors of the Civil
war passed in review. today, marching
to the martial tunes that inspired them
to endeavor forty years ago. Above the
national colors, borne by every march
er, proudly f1oated torn and tattered
flags. These, with empty sleeves and
limping gait, were eloquent reminders
of the sorrow and glory of war. I'm
like the parade yesterday, with the
quick marching line of youth, this pro-
cession was the measured and steady
tread of age. AS the different divisions
marched along, waves of sentiment
passed over marchers and spectators.
There were many still vigorous in line,
but they waited for their weaker COM
rades, and the column halted often on
its two-mile course.
It's my last march," said many a
grizzled veteran as he started out. ut
is now or never, and 1 am going to
try" One bent old man, seventy years
of age, with the Wisconsin delegation,
dissuaded. His gait grew slower from
block to block and he would have fall
en- had he not been held up by two of
his companions. Two civilians stepped
from among the spectators and led him
out of line.
In the long line were men from every
corner of the nation. Veterans who,
perhaps, had enlisted from Maine or
some other far-away state wore the
badges of Western commonwealth,
showing the growth of the nation they
fought to keep intact. OF all the states,
California excepted, the one that had
the largest number in line was Illinois,
but Ohio was a close second.
Almost every delegation had it's en-
blem, Ohio its buckeye, Connecticut a
wooden nutmeg, Minnesota a loaf of
bread, and so on.
At the head of the procession rode a
veteran on bicycle. Whenever the
marchers halted he circled around with
the ease of boy until the line moved
on again.
The Badger state posts fell in after
Illinois and closed up the first division
There were 300sin the line, led by Gen.
Arthur Macarthur, in civilian clothes,
keeping company with Gen. Amos
Cobb, of Nebraska, and Gen. Lyon, of
Wisconsin. At the head was Gen. ]. P.
Rundell, commander of the depart
ment, and his chief of staff, Capt.
Henry, of Eau Claire. All of the Wis
eonsin officers were on foot, while the
New York, Illinois and Ohio delegates
were supplied with horses as we'll as
bands to accompany their divisions.
In the New York section two girls
trotted along, keeping company with
their fathers. One wife also accom-
panied her husband.
The Northwestern divisions in line
were: Department of Minnesota, Com
mander Maben; Nebraska, Commander
Estill; Iowa, Commander Raymond; );
Montana, Commander Wisner; North
Dakota, Commander Rowe; South Da-
kota, Commander Reed.
The afternoon was devoted largely
60 receptions and reunions. At the
headquarters of the Women's Relief
corps and the Ladies of the Grand
Army, the number of visitors was so
great that passage through the rooms
was almost impossible.
All of the state and company head
quarters were open and hospitality
was lavishly dispensed. In the even
ing thousands attended a corcert at
Mechanics pavilion. Gen. Miles was
the guest of the Spanish-American
war veterans. The Women's Relief
corps gave reception to Commander
in-Chief Stewart.
Reunions were also held by the La