Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-08-26
CHEERED BY
THOUSANDS
Veterans Of the Sixties Again Meet
in Their Annual Grand En-.
campment.
GENERAL BLACK is REELECTED
Illinois Man Once More Chosen Com
mander.in.Chief of the Grand
Army of the Republic.


thousand survivors of the civil wal
passed in review today. marching tc
the martial tunes that inspired then
to endeavor forty years ago. Above
the national colors borne by every
marcher, proudly hoated the torn ant
flags. These. with empty sleeves
and limping gait. were eloquent re
minders of the sorrows and glory OF
war Unlike the parade of yesterday
with quick marching line of youth
this procession was the measured and
steady tread of age. As the different
divisions marched along waves OF sen.
timent passed over the marchers and
the spectators. There were many
still vigorous in line. but they waited
for their weaker comrades and the
column halted often on its two mile
course
Its my last march," said many a
grizzled veteran as he started out.
1T is now or never and | am going
to try"
One bent old man. seventy years OF
age. with the Wisconsin delegation.
could not be dissuaded. His gait be-
came slower from block to block and
he would have fallen had he not been
held up by two OF his companions.
Two civilians stepped from the spec
tators and led him out of the line.
Proudly they marched with battle
flags waving above the swaying ranks
flags which bore the marks OF shot
and shell in many fierce fray, COM
rades together now as they were then.
With military precision, these old SOL
diers of Antietam. Vicksburg, Wilder
ness. Gettysburg and Appomatox
swung into line at the appointed time
ready for the command to march.
Headed by the detachment from H.
linois, commanded by Benson Wood,
the Grand Army detachments appear
ed in full muster at their appointed
stations. ready to move with the main
10 o'clock on the route of march. The
mounted staff of department COM
manders and all the mounted escorts,
were formed into platoons of eight
files, front distance being regulated
at four PAGES. This formation was
well maintained all through the pa
rade and the same can be said of the
different posts which were paraded
some sixteen PAGES apart with double
distance between files.
A platoon of police led the column
commanded by Chief Whitman and
followed by the drum corps of the
National Association of Civil War
Musicians. Next in line was Chief
Marshal Edward T. Solomon and his
staff. The personal escort OF com
mander.in-chief Stewart, was com.
posed of George II. Thomas, Post No.
2, department of California. A. d. Cut
Ter commanding. Accompanying the
commander.in-chief was Quartermas-
ter General Burrows, Judge Advocate
General Beers. Adjutant General Jno.
w. Cahall, Chaplain-in-chief Shuey
and Inspector General Walsh with
members of the executive committee.
Several departments of the Grand
Army followed with, as mentioned be-
fore. the department of Illinois in the
van.
A distinguished trio rode at the
head of the Wisconsin division. They
were Samuel Macarthur, commander
of the department Of the Pacific, Gen
eral Cobb and Colonel Lyon, all three
being attired in civilian clothing. All
three of these general officers are
from Wisconsin and all have won ma.
tional renown. General Macarthur
was recognized all along the line Of
march and was loudly cheered as he
passed with the column.
Six survivors of the heroic knapp's
Pennsylvania battery of light artil-
lery marched in the line and were
warmly greeted. This Is the remnant
of the 1870 men Of this hard fighting
regiment who we're mustered out IT
the close of the war and this is the
first occasion the battery has parad-
ed since they appeared In the histor-
ic grand review of the federal troops
at Washington in May, 1865. This bat-
terry did efficient work at Chancellors'
vile. Fredericksburg and all through
the Shenandoah valley, concluding
brilliant record by marching with
sherman TO the sea, and entering Ricn-
mond later with Grant. Its most his
toric feat was the firing OF the shot
that killed General Polk before Re
SAGA.
Throughout the parade was strict.
ly military. no women. children nor
grotesaue costumes being permitted
in the column. Carriages also were
prohibited and the few which appear
ed not exceeding two to each depart.
ment, were occupied by disabled vet
erans driven in all cases 10 the left
column of their respective depart
ments.
Hearty greeting was extended 10
the old boys along the entire line OF
each Of the departments be-
ing cheered as il filed past. The scene
was one of wild enthusiasm all along
the streets. old and young turning
out en- masse to greet the fast fading
ranks of the veteran American sol
diers. who In a compact organization
will never march here again.
The reviewing stand was on Van
Ness avenue and there the depart.
ments marched past in perfect align
ment after long and tiresome march
for many of the old veterans. al
though they showed dp in brave style
until dismissed by the grand mar
shal.
Although there was little variety Of
uniform In the parade. the color fea-