Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-06-26
TO FIGHTING JOE"
Continued from page ~

OF IL guns. john l.. Bates accepted the
custody of the statue for the common
wealth. The exercises closed with
music and a benediction. AS soon as
the unwilling ceremonies were complet-
ed, a greater part of the throng left
Beacon hill to find places from which
to see the parade, and the police began
to find work in properly disposing of
the multitude. The entire force of the
city, including the harbor police had
been assigned to duty in connection
with the parade.
The parade moved shortly after II
o'clock. The route planned was about
three miles in length and included the
principal streets, and a march by the
City hall and State House to the COM
mon. At the City hall, Mayor Collins
reviewed the column, and at the State
House it passed in review before Gov.
Bates and staff.
The column moved in four divisions,
with Gov. Bates as commander-in-
chief, escorted by the army and navy
divisions of the United States service,
Col. John L.. Tiernon, A. c., y. S. A.,
commanding.
One of the most striking features of
the parade was the appearance in the
line Of the veterans of the Mexican war.
This was the first time since the war
that the New England Association of
Veterans of the Mexican War had been
requested to parade in any such public
parade as this. The veterans appeared
with their commander, Gen. Samuel f..
Chamberlain, and his adjutant, Capt.
George w. Much. They rode in drags.
The youngest in the party is 80 years of
age and the oldest SO.
Another notable feature was the dis
play of the colors of Hooker's old regi-
ment Of the Mexican war, the LIST Ar
tillery, which were brought from the
military museum of relics at Fort Mon
roe, by permission of the secretary of
war. They were borne by the nth
Company of Coast Artillery from Fort
Wayne and supported by details from
Ihe artillery corps.
The parade was over by 2.30 o'clock
and the crowds in the streets slowly
dispersed. The military and naval
bodies returned to their stations or
headquarters, but many of the veterans
went to their halls, to hold reunions
and camp fires.
evening, like the unwilling ceremonies,
will be very simple.
The statute of Gen. Hooker is eques-
trian, in bronze, on a granite base. 1t
stands by the side of the State House
near Beacon street and opposite Park
street. On the front in large bronze
letters, in the word Hooker" and be-
meath it, the seal of the commonwealth
also in bronze. To the rear of the
pedestal is affixed a handsome tablet
with inscription giving record of
every commission ever held by him
from lieutenant to major general. The
place of his birth, of his death. and
of his interment is given. A laurel
wreath forms the outer border of the
tablet. This is wound with ribbon
on which in high relief is the name Of
every important battle in the Mexican
and Civil War with which the name of
Gen Hooker was identified.
The movement for this statute in
honor of Gen. Hooker started early in
1894
The following year n petition for the
monument was filed with the Legisla-
tlirc. A bill for an appropriation OF
$4,000 passed both Houses and was
signed by Gov. WocCtt.
Tn his message to the Legislature on
Jan 1st, Gov. Bates recommended that
an appropriation be made for the dedl-
cation. This brought forth an addi-
tfonal $4,000. June % was selected for
the dedication, because it is the ami
vcrsary of the battle of Oak Grove
which was fought before Richmond in
1867. At that time Gen. Hooker was IN
command of the Third Army Corps.
An immense audience that was most
generous in the applause for the speak
ers gathered in Mechanics hall, this
evening, where the closing exercises of
the day were held. Seated upon the
platform was n distinguished company
of military. naval and civic officers and
the body of the hall was filed with vet
Grams who manifested their approval of
the words of praise of Fighting joe
Hooker that We're spoken by rising to
their feet. swinging their hats and
shouting themselves hoarse.
Gov Bates was the presiding officer
and stirring music both instrumental
and vocal added to the pleasure of the
big audience.
Gov. Bates Introductory address was
very brief and at it's close he intro
duced Gen. Charles p. Mattocks of
Portland, Me-, as the orator of the
evening. Gen. MattockS was given q
great reception and spoke as follows:
To-day many of you look back to thu
trying scenes through which you passct
while following the good and evil for
tunes of the gallant soldier in who's,
honor we have met.
Il gaZed today for the first time upol
the grand work of the sculptor which
is to hand down to future generation
the lineaments of one who. in sharn;
dangers common to us all, took to him
self the fullest measure and, as he rod
along our lines or led us in the dcadi,
charge, was to us the ideal commander
AS / stood charmed and spellboun'
before the beautiful statue, the dial up
on the clock turned back more than for
ty years, and l saw, not a dumb. lifcleS
form, chiseled against the peaceful sky
but Il living, resOlute and determine
soldier, riding upon his painting stee'
along our lines, amidst the cheers of hi
Soldiers-as shot and shell and patter
ing bullets fell around him-inspirin
the fire of patriotism by his presence