The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-02

Clelan has had one more leaf entwined
in the laurel wreath Fame placed upon
his brow.
Commanding Group.
About the commanding site Of the
statue stood a group typifying this
country's victories In battle, and her
supremacy in the glorious walks Of
peace. The President Of the United
States, his Cabinet. some Of the greatest
leaders the Federal army ever knew in
the days from 1861 to 1868. the ambas-
sadors and ministers from all the world,
hundreds of the men who helped TO cap
ture Richmond. and thousands OF fair
women, made the scene beautiful in APP
pearance. and tremendous in meaning.
From the statue, along the three thor
oughfares that converge at its base,
stretched an almost limitless throng OF
people. The uniforms of the veterans.
the guns of the regulars, the bright
gowns OF the women. and the brave
showing OF the sons of the veterans,
were features that struck the eye wher-
ever il turned.
And, when the superb statue, showirg
the great leader upon his horse was
disclosed. it was as II a mighty storm
of ardor had gathered the multitude and
swept Il into a swaying, pulsing, cheer
ing mass of patriotism.
Old Review Young.
The grand feature OF the exercises was
the parade. which was reviewed by the
President. The veterans, 700 strong,
making up the Society Of the Army OF
the Potomac. were arranged as II they
assisted President Roosevelt in the re-
view. The old fighters were drawn up
IN a double line facing each other, and
down this lane Of war dogs marched
the fighters Of a Younger generation.
They marched from the north OF the
statue and down the hin past the Presi-
dent. In the line of march were the
guardsiner from New Jersey, the T wen
ty-thirc Infantry, and the District
militia.
BY o'clock the crowd began to as
semble at Connecticut avenue and Co
lumbia road. The grand stands. the
boxes and the reviewing stand were a
mass OF United States flags. shields and
bunting Into these seats those entitled
to admission socn crowded. and after
that the crowd grew and grew, reach
Ing down into the city and out across
the hi! beyond me sky line
Regulars and Veterans.
The regulars were the next To arrive
They reached the scene with bands
playing and drums throbbing out the
time for their footballs
Then came the veterans Of the war.
the heroes whose plaudits should seal
with finality the nations tribute to Nc
Clellan, and with them came their hero
leaders.
President Roosevelt and the dipIo-
mats and the army and navy officials
arrived hurrying through the crowds TO
the spaces reserved for them.
Promptly at 2.3O o'clock the exer-
cises began. with Brig. Gen. Henry c.
former captain Of the United States
Army Of the Potomac After the invo-
cation by Bishop Satterlee. Gen. Hora-
TO G King secretary Of the Army OF
the Potomac, and brevet colonel OF the
| United States Volunteers. gave a brief
history of the statue. telling how the
veterans OF the Army Of the Potomac
worked 10 get the appropriations from
! Congress for the statue. and giving the
| following description of il.
Escutcheons on Pedestal.
The pedestal is the work Of James r
/ Cocroft Of Brooklyn, y. Y. after Mac
Monies design. 1t is composed Of
I base. die. and cap. is OF Maine pink
granite. every exposed part Of which
is polished. 1t rests upon five steps OF
the same material The bottom course
OF steps covers an area on the ground
I 81 feet IL inches long by q feet inches
Z q 4
estal proper is 20x13 feet. The height OF
the pedestal and steps from the ground
is % feet inches.
The die is i feet So inches high. II
feet SIS inches long. and , feet ~ inches
wide. IL IS heavily nodded at the bot
tom The cap is feet high. is feet 101l
inches long and S feet 1Ois inches wide
It's cOrnice Is heavily nodded.
The weight Of the foundation. pedes-
tai. and statue IS about $50 tons. Nearly
300 pieces of granite were used in the
pedestal
The pedestal is enriched with eight
bronze escutcheOns 2x2 feet. placed equi-
distant around the cOrnice of the cap
Each escutcheon bears the name Of one
of McClellan's battles, as follows: Front
(south) Antietam; rear (nOrth York
town; east side, South Mountain, Rich
Mountain. Gaines Mil; west side Will
liamsburg, Fair Oaks. Malvern Hill
OASAHC GdbACS.
Both sides Of the pedestal are decorat-
ed with bronze trophies QOxI feeO in
relief, representing cannon, flags, arms,
etc. At each Of the four corners Of the
base OF the pedestal there is a bronze
eagle. These eagles bear in their beaks
heavy garlands Of oak and laurel. in
bronze, which extend around the four
sides Of the pedestal.
The front Of the pedestal bears the in
scription;
MAJOR GENERAL
GEORGE BRINTON MCCLELLAN
lS26-lsS5
The rear bears the inscription:
ERECTED BY THE
SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
AND THE
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.
1907