Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-06-01
GEN. MILES HERE.
Distinguished Soldier Visited
Augusta on Tuesday.
Visited Togus Home and Held Recep-
ton at State House.
Tells TIE Journal That He Has Enioved
Trip to Maine Very Much.

Lieut.. Gen. Nelson A. Miles, retired.
of the regular army, visited Augusta
and Togus, yesterday, meeting many
old comrades Of the Civil war and
scores of citiZerM who assembled at the
State House to pay their respects and
do him honor Coming, as it did, SO
close to Memorial day, it seemed as
though it We're part of the observ-
ances of that day in the city. In this
respect the local Grand Army men can
not help but feeling that they, as well
as their comrades in Bangor, had the
iassistance of their distinguished fellow
veteran in properly paying tribute to
the memory of those OF their number
who had answered the last bugle call.
1t was Il day which will long be re-
mcmbered. not only by the old soldiers
of Augusta and those of the National
Home, but by the people of the city
generally and by the members of the
| National Guard. To the veterans it
was an opportunity to show honor 10
the one of their number who had risen
| from the ranks to commander of the
| army; to the National Guardsmcn it
WAS an honor to be privileged to do es-
cort duty to the greatest living Amer
lean soldier. and it was appreciated.
| That 1t was could be seen from the
manner in which the boys of Capt.
brakes commend carried themselves
+, as they passed in review before the
distinguished soldier in Market square.
1t seemed as though each and every
man of them. from officers down to the
mascot, threw his head bit further
back. brought his body more erect and
in every way tried to show that they
were the good soldiers that they are.
In every respect. it might be said,
the visit of Gen. Miles was informal.
To be sure there was the escort of vet
Grams and National Guardsmen the
representative of Gov. Hill in uniform,
as courtesy demanded there should be,
but to offset and give one the feeling
that there was no formality was the
appearance of the guest of honor. Ex-
cepting for his erect carriage and mill
tary bearing there was nothing to indi-
cate the soldier about him. He was
dressed in Il Prince Albert coat, OF
slate color. with trousers to match.
white waistcoat, blue four hand tie
and Wore a silk hat. Gen. Joseph s.
Miles was while in Maine, was like
wise in citizens dress the only in
sigma of any kind which he wore being
Il button of the Loyal Legion.
Gen. Miles arrived in the city at 4 l
early hour from Bangor, where he had
delivered the Memorial day address on
The preceding evening. At o'clock
Governor and Mrs. John F. Hill enter
tanned the general at breakfast at their
home on State street. Among those
present. in addition to Gen. Miles AMI
Gen. Smith. were Ex-Governor Seldom
Connor and Congressman Burleigh
The breakfast was a most charming
affair and was greatly enjoyed by all.
After breakfast, Gov. Hill took Gen.
Miles and Gen. Smith for drive about
the city, showing them the many points
of interest and all the beauties of Au-
gusta which it was possible to do in
the limited space of time allowable for
the purpose.
At 1C o'clock. the party took a special
car of the Augusta. Winthrop & Gar
diner Railroad and went to the Ma
tiOnal Soldiers Home at Togus. There
he was received by the band and after
the veterans had been given an oppOr-
tunity to shake hands with the visitor.
he was entertained at lunch by Col. S.
| II. Allen, governor of the Home. The
party returned TO this city by the spe-
cial car, arriving here at about 10
o'clock in the afternoon. at which ii W
| the public reception took place.
When the party arrived in Market
square the escort. which was to con-
duct Gen. Miles and party to the State
| House and back to his train, was in
readiness and at 100 the procession
moved. The formation of the process
| sion was: