Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1903-09-11
NATIONAL ENCAMPM'T
Captain Lucas Writes Emtertainingly
ibuu, Gathering of Veterans.

SANTA Cruz, Cal, Aug. 80, 1903.
My DEAR FRIEND STANLEY:
The encampment is over and most OF
the people from the east have gone
back and will be telling of the strange
and wonderful things they saw in this
queer state; and the people here have
settled back into the common ruts OF
life and rejoice that they were able to
so handsomely entertain the strangers
within their gates. OF course we we're
on the scene early and stayed through
the whole week. At once we repaired
to South Dakota headquarters where
met about six dozen old comrades and
half as many ladies Of the w. Il. G. L
marched with the South Dakota boys
the day of the great parade. 1t was no
little pride we expressed when we
found South Dakota had more men in
line than either Minnesota or Nebras-
ka, we had "A, Nebraska y and Mime
sofa 20. Each South Dakotan carried
a staff ON the top of which was an ear
of corn surmouuted, and it fringed
about with wisp of wheat heads. AS
we swept by the gazing crowds for two
and q half miles cheers we're sent up
by the people with the inquiry, "What's
the matter with South Dakota?"
The parade! Who can describe it?
The weather was ideal and the route
over which it passed the best in the
CITY. Between six and seven thousand
men made up the battalions, whose
average age is about 66 years, the
stronger and healtier part of the
mighty army whose battle front was
over $500 miles long and who fought
more than 2GOO battles and skirmishes
to conquer peace and keep the United
States on the map of the world. Nearly
40 years after the close of the strug-
gle, these men gathered at the golden
gate of the commerce of the Orient,
and while the waves we're lashing the
rocks with seeming anger, the white
sails and black smoke from huge
throats, told the story of the rich car
goes that they brought to the docks to
fly across the continent on the iron
bands that binds the west to the east,
these men with white locks and bent
forms once more fell into ranks and
drew themselves up to the position OF
a soldier. AS the fife and drum struck
up quick step, the fires of youth again
we're kindled and they forgot they were
more than three score years old.
While their breasts were covered with
badges of honor and many old relics of
war days were brought ont and hung
onto their persons, their hearts warmed
up and when the faded, battered and
torn battle flags of Pennsylvania passed
along the line men ceered as they did
when young and upon the front line
when the enemy gave way, or when a
charge was made to capture line or
defenses.
1t was great parade, the best have
ever seen at an encampment. More
care was taken to keep the lines of the
battalions aligned and proper distances
preserved. Indeed. so perfect were the
files dressed. while in marching col
umn. that right or left face would
have placed the whole column in line
of battle.
\ continuous ovation every inch OF
the two and "a half miles was given by
the assembled spectators. Everywhere
could be seen the bronze button among
the onlookers. the wearer could not
endure the fatigue and was forced to
be a spectator. 1t is probable that
fully one third of the veterans in the
city did not participate in the parade
In one of the cemeteries in the out
skirts of the city stands a magnificent
monument at the grave of David G
Broderick who fell in duel with Judge
Terry. a few years ago was shot dow
by a U. S. deputy marshal to save thu
life of Judge Field. who had rendered
decision against Terry in one of tn,
numerous lawsuits over the propert,
left by ex-senator Sharon. claimed b,
CdTdH AlCueh Illll. WHO ldtet DeCdu1
Terry's wife.
The older readers of this letter will
recollect what shock and thrill cam,
to and passed over the nation when i
was informed of Broderick's untimel
death. He was the idol of the anti
slavery party, and it was we'll know
he had been badgered into quarre
with his colleague-Senator Guinl-
for the express purpose of forcing hir
into settlement OH field of blood
Quinn was an old man, Broderick il
his prime and totally unfamiliar will
the code duello. His pride would not
allow him to decline challenge from
Quinn, which was no sooner accepted
than Terry. an experienced duellis
and young man, interposed and offere
to take Guinn's place on the ground O