The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-09-14
LOCAL VETERANS WERE
 DREHCRED AT SARATOGA
Returned Members of Admiral Foote Post Had One of the Experiences of
 a Lifetime.
GEORGE P. HOLT WAS THERE
of Girl Wrapped in the National Emblem Bravely Marching at Head of
 Regiment.

Back to New Haven after experi- ences that depressed them more than the deadly calm preceding battles in the Civil War, members of Admiral Foote post of the Grand Army of the Republic reached the city during the afternoon. All but a dozerf men from the one hundred who made the trip came back yesterday or before. Their experience wednesday marching with colors flying and bands playing while the rain poured down was what Gov ernor Hughes called an inspiration, an encouragement, something splen- did and magnificent.
 At least thirty of the New Haven representatives passed in parade along the flooded streets to the tune of "Yankee Doodle" George P. Holt was interviewed last night by the Journal and Courier. His arrival last night from the scene of stirring events makes his story fresh and full of rev elations of the courage and determin- ation which went to war in 1861.
 The incident which impressed him and his fellow soldiers most was that of the western girl who bore the col ors of a western regiment all during the march amidst the heavy rain. Tall dressed in black with Old Glory wrap ped about her body the 22-year-old young woman bravely marched beside 1 her father from start to finish. In front of her and tramping on behind her were the veterans somewhat dis heartened but cheering and singing the old army melodies.
 Veteran Holt was drenched like the rest of the New Haven men. Even umbrellas l-eae and there did little good. The rain formed miniature lakes in the old army crowns and trickled down upon heads of gray As result of the exposure thirty-siX were laid up in the hospital
 By singular thoughtfulness the To- cal men were saved from danger. For upon returning to their quarters in No, [ schoolhouse they found the janitor i had started furnace fire of his own volltion, and the warm air was a blessing. The twenty New Haveners uuartered together took off their coats and shoes and so forth. It at least may be said that the soldicrly figures wrap- ped in big heayy blankets which were i supplied at 55 cents cach, were sur rounded by walls where hung the brass buttons and uniforms that young girls dote upon Before night the members of the party were back in a healthy frame of mind They Crcrpcd about an imaginary campfire in tho school room and tales were told that stirred the blood and kindled old-time en- thusiasm.
 1 The same night, Wednesday, Sara toga was brilliantly lighted by be- wildering cluster and beaded lines of electric colored lights which, tent shaped, threw out a brilliant fiery flame across the sky.
 Veteran Holt also explained that the quarters and food to be had were very satisfactory. The white straw which made the beds at the school houses of Saratoga was comfortable, arrangements were better than could be obtained in the crowded hotels Soap, towels and other articles were supplied free. No one took advantage of the situation to charge exorbitant prices for meals served to old soldiers
 Next to the schoolhouse quarters ot some of the Admiral Foote men 6 private family provided meals that were excellent, and the charge was twenty-five cents per meal Like the wise old ration hunters they are al the Grand Army men learned early in the week where the best food coulc be obtained cheapest, and that partic
 ular place, according to MT. Holt, Wal
 running short when he left yesterday
 morning.
 Two free attractions were given fo
 the old soldiers. One was the free ex cursion ride given by the Boston ant
 Maine railroad over to the handsom
 est monument in the country whicl
 marks the sight of the great battl with Burgoyne in the Revolution. Tn l other was the opening of the Hiltol park for entertainment of veterans.
 The dozen or so local veterans sti
 at Saratoga are expected back to-da and tomorrow, having stayed over attend the national campfire and mus ter of last night. One incident Mir Ho
 touched upon was that initiation tn veterans planned to give to some Wed : nesday night, but just at the critici : moment in came their wives to Cor f ventlon hall to spoil the old warrior | excitemant