Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1904-05-18
HARTFORD HONORS THE
OLD SOLDIERS TO-DAY.
The Capitol City Gave Them the Greatest Reception
Ever Known--Commander Bulkley Addressed Them
at the Annual Convention Each Old Veteran
Presented With Flag The Big Event OF. the Re-
union Will Take Place To-Morrow


of the civil war to the number of A 900
are in Hartford to-day participating in
the dual reunions of the Army of the
Potomac and the Connecticut depart,
ment of the G. A. r. This forenoon
was given mp to business, while to-
night and tomorrow the visitors will
enjoy the hospitalities provided for
them by the city and its citizens In
honor of the occasion, Hartford is re-
splendent with decorations. which in
point of lavishness have never been
equalled in Connecticut. Particularly
picturesque is the business section the
fronts Of all the buildings large and
small being emblazoned with the patri-
otic insignias customary on such occa-
sions while about 10000 electric lights
have, been strung along the thorough
fares in arch formations, lines and clus-
ters for the Illumination of the evening
festivities. In front of the City hall a
court of honor. supported by imitation
Corinthian columns, and beautified
with emblems betokening love and
loyalty. il a striking feature, while the
Capitol, its grounds and the Memorial
arch are also dressed to do honor to the
occasion. Over the pond in Bushnell
park, lines Of electric lights radiate
from the fountain in the center across
the pond, and with the fountain play
ing the. effect is beautiful.
In according welcome to the vet
Grams, the city sd population, augment
ed by thousands of visitors from the
nefghboring icties and towns. many
coming from New York and Boston to
see the spectacle, turned out. and asI a
result the streets were thronged from
early morning with sightseers. Not
since the celebration of Battle Flag
day in 1879 has anything like this
event enligened the Capitol city, and
it will go down into history as one Of
the most memorable patriotic observ-
ances since the return Of the soldiers
from the battlefields OF the south Sew
eral hundred veterans from the home
at Noroton are participating in the ex-
ercises, and the general sentiment
alike of both the public and the vet
eranss regarding the event was ex-
pressed by one of these grizzled heroes.
who said: "It's the last time we'll
march together, boys, SO let's make the
most Of the day"
I'm massive tent pitched on Bush
nell park the visitors are being fed,
while half a hundred miniature houses
sof canvas bedeck the vicinity Of the
Capitol to serve as meeting and rest
ing places for the old soldiers In
order that there might be no inconven-
fence or overcrowding, the local diyis-
ion, Ancient Order of Hibernians, ten
dered the use Of its hall to the commit
tee in charge. as did also Charter Oak
aerie Of Eagles and the Home Circle
club.
AS a guard of honor to the visiting
veterans practically every military or
ganization in the state. including the
entire brigade of the National Guard,
the Governors Horse and Foot Guards,
were ordered out. while the Putnam.
Phalanx and similar organizations lend
picturesqueness to the occasion.
Among the distinguished civil war
generals invited were General Daniel
Il. Sickles. General Horatio @. King,
Major-G General John r. Brooke. GEN
eral George r, Randolph. General a
GeorgesD. Ruggles. General Thomas O.
Seayer. General Howard T.. Porter.
General Orland Smith, General Mich
olas W. Day. General Alexander s,
Webb. all of whom are connected with.
the Army Of the Potomac. Owing 70
illness General Sickles, who would
have been one of the most picturesque
figures in the parade. was obliged by
advice Of his physician Ito postpone
coming here. Up to yesterday he fully
expected to be with "the boys"
Every Grand Army veteran in the
parade Thursday. which i s.,. to be the the
feature of the gathering, VIII
carry al gift from the
general committee, and will take
home as u souvenir Of the occasion
silk flag l2x1S inches in size mounted
ON staff of convenient size for car
rying on parade.
To-day the business sessions of the
various regiments were held, at the
conclusion of which so automobiles
were at the dispoasl Of the veterans
for a tour of the city. At Unity hall
the 37th annual encampment Of the
Department of Connecticut, @. A. r.,
was held to-day, at which the depart-
ment commander. Morgan G. Bulke- 4
ley, gave an address. He said in
part:
Comrades of the Grand Army of the