Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-16
VETERANS
 ON PARADE The Browning Day 
 at Boston.

New England Contributes
 !, 900 to the Line of March
 Aged Veterans Unable
 to Walk Tenderly Cared
 for Decorations Artistic
 and Abundant.
 Boston, Aug 16.-This was the 1 icroWning day of the national encamp- ment, the day of the grand parade of
 the surviving hosts of the Union army ] in the war Of the rebellion Ill honor
 of the men who participated, state and
 civic departments ceased their work,
 the banks were closed, and many com mercial institutions shut their doors and the people made the occasion a l holiday For weeks the spectacle of the marching veterans had been an l tcipated and it was sacrcely day
 break when the first stragglers of the
 host of spectators appeared to inquire
 of the weary policeman where to find ] the best places from which to see the parade. During the night many trains
 came in with posts and delegations to
 the great gathering of army men, and
 early in the day, when the crowded
 specials from points within 100 miles
 of Boston began to arrive, the traffic at both the big terminals became choked.
 Trains were delayed waiting a l chance to debark their passengers, the people damned the train sheds and terminals, and then, spreading out be- gan to fill the sidewalk space along
 the line of march of the procession The morning was clear and com
 fortable, with a gentle land breeze
 moving from the northwest There was prospect of warmer conditions
 as the day should grow, but the clear skies and bright sun cheered alike the hearts of veteran and spectator.
 Early in the forenoon arrived the last division of the invading Grand
 Army From California to Maine and l Massachusetts and from the states be- ! tween host had come and at 10 o'clock, the hour set for the parade to
 move, 25,0O0 men were in line. ! Along the line of march at every l available point, viewing stands had 1 been built. Some were of vast di- mensions and would accommodate hundreds Others would not seat + IQOTG JudH d SCOEG.s4 AL 1uLCiSGCtAAS streets stood vans and wagons equip | ped with chairs, boxes or other seats. The stands began to fill early, par l ticularly those on the Boston com mon Arrangements had been made ! for veterans who were physically un- able to engage in the parade, or who l did not care to do so to view the pro- l cession from stand in Winthrop 1 square During the night the final | decorative touches were placed and | to-day the center of the city was one mammoth display of flags, bunting and streamers of red, white and blue. ! The decorations never have been l more general nor more elaborate for any event in this city.
 Tn the formation of the parade,
 Edward Fl. Kinsley post No 113, of Boston, Commander George H.
 Graves, was given the place of hon. or that of escort to Colonel John c. Black. commander ins chief Of the C.. A. R. Charles H. Mcconnell was chief of staff.
 Forty-two states and two terri tories were represented in the column besides the Potomac division made up of the Old Guards of Washington, p. O. Each state comprised q division | with the exception of Massachusetts which had two divisions, there being 135 posts in line from this state. New England posts numbered
 about 1000 men; New York had two ! batalions: West Virginia, IS posts: Kentucky, 12 posts; North Dakota, l 10. and Minnesota 13 posts. The 1 Maryland delegation numbered about l 1000 men and that from Ohio about 7bO. California was represented by two posts and Oregon by one It was 1 estimated that the column would re- 1 ouire about three hours to pass one point
 The parade moved from Arlington 1 street to Beacon street, up Beacon hill. past the state house, where 1t was reviewed by Governor John l.. Bates. former Governor John D. Long and other distinguished per- sons.
 At the City hall the parade was reviewed by Mayor Patrick A. Col lfns and the city council. At the
 junction of Temple place and Ire mont street the veterans met the
 most spectacular and picturesque feature of the entire route. in the form of living flag" composed of 20OO school children. Alternating ranks of girls wearing red and white dresses represented the stripes while square of blue gowned ones formed a field in which 45. carrying white stars were placed in way to give the effect of resting on the base of azure. Months had been spent in
 preparation for this feature. As the fine passed the children sang the pa triotic hymns of the army and of the
 country.