Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1906-08-23

All roads lead to the Twin Cities
last week, and visitors by the thous-
ands poured in to attend the annual
encampment of the G. A. r. at Mime
apolis. Conservative estimates by the
railroads place the number OF passen-
gers carried to the twin Cities at
about 10000.
Never before have the heroes OF the
Civil war been so well cared for as at
this encampment. Everything that,
could promote their comfort and enter
tainment was promptly and generously
Forthcoming.
Monday was given over to the recep-
ton OF the visitors. The feature of the
days program was the reception to
Commander in-Chief Tanner and his
staff at the state capitol in ST. Paul.
Tuesday the veterans devoted to
the renewal of old friendships in the
reunions of the various regiments.
There was not floor in any of the
hotels nor a hall in the Twin Cities
which did not hold the survivors OF
some organization that was in the
field during the war.
Wednesday-the day Of the great
parade-was the most interesting day
of the encampment, both to the old
soldier and to the hundreds of thou
sands Of spectators.
More eloquent than words, more In
spring than the reveille sounded from
fife and drum under countless banners
and bullet-riddled flags was the IN
even cadence of those $4,000 marchers
who, Tor the love of their land, braved
the discomforts of long march that
the rising generation might catch
something of that patriotism which
prompted them to offer their lives that
nations honor might be preserved.
The people paused for several hours
from the busy rush Of daily routine
and, forgetting it all, cheered the sur
viyors of '65 with an enthusiasm and
love much like that which must have
been accorded the departure of the
regiments in 81 when in the glow of
manhood the volunteers marched in
perfect cadence and with elastic step
to the battlefields of the South. The
crowds which filled every foot of space
along the line Of march cheered the
veterans, and, buoyed up by their en-
thusiasm, more than one old soldier
kept in line long after he should have
dropped out.
The streets along the line of march
reverberated with. the cheers of the
hundreds of thousands who crowded
every vantage point to get a glimpse
of the boys in blue. Seldom has SO
much enthusiasm been shown at an
encampment parade as was seen at
this, the fortieth annual march Of the
armies of 81. 1t was contagious, and
those who came only to look on for
time remained to cheer, and the solid
mass of humanity did not leave until
the last post had passed the reviewing
stand and saluted Commander-in-Ch Chief
Tanner. 1t is tribute enough to the
patriotism of the thousands who gath
cred to see the parade to say that they
kept up an unfiagging display of en-
thusiasm for three and a half hours.
The Grand Army of the Republic has
often marched before. 1t will march
again next year and again the year
after that. 1t will march until its
members can march no more, and then.
1t will commence it's greatest march
OF all--through time into eternity and
into it's ordained reward.
4 !. ~
such things go. well handled, quick
moving and inspiring to look upon. II
was q day Of pride for the old soldiers
In themselves and for the multitude in
the soldiers.
Over the heads Of the veterans as
they marched along countless flags
snapped In the breeze and their lines