The Indianapolis journal., 1903-08-20
Grand Parade the Feature of the Day
at the Encnmpment at San
Francisco.
ILLINOIS THE BANNER STATE
HAS THE LARGEST NUMBER, WITH
OHIO CLOSE SECOND.
General Miles the Guest of the Span
ish-American War Veterans
Various Elections Held.

s.
and survivors of the civil war passed in re-
view to-day, marching to the martial tunes
that inspired them TO endeavor forty years
ago. Above the national colors, borne by
every marcher, proudly fioated torn and
tattered flags. These, with empty sleeves
and limping gait, were eloquent reminders
of the sorrow and glory of war. Unlike the
parade of yesterday with the quick march
ing line of youths, this procession had the
measured and steady tread of age AS the
different divisions marched along, waves of
sentiment passed over marchers and spec
tators. There were many still vigorous in
line but they waited for their weaker COM
rades and the column halted often on it's
two mile course.
Its my last march," said many griz-
zled veteran, as he started out "It is now
or never, and | am going to try" One bent
old man, seventy years of age, with the
Wisconsin delegation could not be dis
suaded His gait grew slower from block
TO block and he would have fallen had he
not been held up by two of his compan-
ions. Two civilians stepped from the spec
tators and led him out of the line.
In the long lines were men from every
corner OF the nation. Veterans who per-
haps had enlisted from Maine or some other
far-away State wore the badges of Western
commonwealths. showing the growth of the
nation they fought to keep intact OF all
the States, California excepted, the one
that had the largest number i'm line was
Illinois, but Ohio was close second
Almost every delegation had its emblem.
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 a bicycle and whenever the
marchers halted he circled around with
the ease of boy until the line moved on
again.
MANY FROM ILLINOIS
One thousand men marched under the yell
low banner of Illinois. At the head marched
Col. Thomas G.. Lawler, past commander
in-chief of the grand army. AS usual the
Badger State posts fell in after Illinois and
closed up the first division. All of the Wis
consin officers were on foot while the New
York, Illinois and Ohio delegations were
supplied with horses as well as bands to ac-
company their divisions. Pennsylvania
headed the second division and in the line
apepared five survivors of the First Penn
sylvania rifles, THE Bucktails." And 9TH
er states had features that drew the at
tention of the throng in the side lines
Although there was very little variety of
uniform in the parade, the color feature
was amply furnished by the great abund-
ance of flags and banners. Nearly every
one of the thousands in line carried the
national emblem making the scene most
brilliant. The Illinois delegates attracted
much attention and was probably the
largest of any from the East. Ohio was
close behind numerically During the pass
age of the procession a salute was fired
from Union Square and bombs were dis
charged at intervals. The Alaskan dele
gates carried aloft an immense pair of
horns and couple of badgers were borne
by the Wisconsin men. few of the vet
Grams were compelled by physical weakness
to drop out when their hotels were reached.
MANY SPECIAL FEATURES.
The afternoon was devoted to receptions
and reunions. At the headquarters of the
WOman'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 headquarters were open
and hospitality was lavishly dispensed
The rooms of the various California posts
were centers of interest. and at each place
boxes of fruit were given to all visitors
In the evening thousands attended a con-
cert at Mechanics Pavilion. Gen. Nelson
A. Miles the guest of the Spanish
American War Veterans. The Women's Re-
lief Corps gave a reception to Commander
in-chief Stewart. camp fire at the armory
of the Spanish-American War Veterans
closed the events of the night.
The National Association of Union ex-
Prisoners of War have elected officers as
follows:
National commander, James ID. Walker
reelected; national senior vice commander
Clinton T. Hull, of San Francisco: nationa
| junior vice commander, John T. Kissane
of Ohio; national chaplain John S. Fergu
son. of Keokuk. Ia; historian. Gen. Harry
| White, of Pennsylvania: quartermaster
| Stephen NJ. Long, of East Orange, n. j.
executive committee, Governor Bliss, o
| Michigan; o. a. Parsons. of Pennsylvania
| Charles G. Davis, of Boston, and Charlie:
| S. Fisher, of Minnesota.
Berdans Sharpshooters have elected S
/ G. James of Centerville, Ia, president. t,
J succeed r. w. Tyler.