New-York tribune., 1908-09-03
VETERANS In PARADE
Oldttme Soldiers Tosc Themselves
Ready for .4nother War.

Toledo. Sept 2-Tne Grand Army OF the Repub-
Nc parade to-day, which was reviewed by w. H.
Taft. Senator Foraker and others was remark
able Cor the absence OF accidents and cases OF
exhaustion and for the good order which prevailed
not only among the dense crowds along the line
of march. but throughout the city. Mayor Whit
lock said tonight that despite the crowd OF one
hundred Thousand visitors. there had been fewer
accidents fewer rrisdemeanors and less work for
the police generally than any average day of
the year. Aside from veteran who was snsnt-
" bruised by being hit by ambulance, there
were no accidents and not more than dozen
fatigue prostrations.
Estimates Of the number OF veterans in line
varied from eight thousand TO three times that
number, but it is doubtful If there were more than
twelve thousand. Liberality OF space made II re-
Quire four hours TO pass the reviewing stand
Fully half the veterans wore the badges of either
Michigan or Ohio.
Some Of the veterans wise in experience Of pa
rades. carried campstools their arms. and
whenever there halt they promptly sat
down. 20 the envy OF their comrades. The first
amusing incident of the march came with the
marching past Of the Rhode Island detachment
Two veteran tars, in sailor suits and each carry
ing broom bearing the placsrd. Who won the
baths OF 81 and '63? We did danced along the
way. and were the targets of many flowers.
Georgia. with thirty IN line ELECTED applause
by displaying hundle OF cornstalks which ap
peared TO be from twelve fifteen feet long
South Dakota's veteran sons paraded with cobs of
corn stuck the end Of canes carried their
shoulders. whie North Dakota hinted of its staple
crop with heads Of wheat tucked in their hats This
department also had full-rigeed Uncle Sam, -
one Of the two in evidence during the day. The
popularity OF the refreshments at rendezvous
poinst was attested by the appearance Of souvenir
TN cups at the belt of nearly every man. The 4th
Michigan carried pole TOD of which was an
imprisoned rooster On the sides Of the coop was
the boest. We captured JEFF Davis"
we swept the ocean: you keep it clean,' was
an. adnonition the display Of which repeatedly
called. forth cheers
While there were details Of the picture which
appealed strongly TO sympathy for declining years
x was. on the whole. cheerful sight For the
most part the step of the firm their faces
betrayed eager interest and they seemed TO be
enjoying the air and the familiar fife and drum
music without thought of their years. Many and
many q veteran vovying himself good for another
war pranced and danced along. TO the vast approval
Of his comrades
With the small delegation from Arkansas marched
Michael Mitchell. who true TO his promise car
sied the department flag leaving his cane at his
hotel Mitchell's right foot was frozen campaign
ing against the Ute Indians and his other
cut UP by rife bail in the Civil War.
West Virginia made her presence particularly felt
assistance Of his comrades. dragged his unique
'C5ster' cannon through the parade. firing it
Seatedly. Trax was General Clusters orderly in
West Virginia and collected a amount of
into his cannon The gun contains among other
things four pounds Of brass buttons four regimen
tai and three division bugles eighty buckles. two
brass door keys TO the Ford Theatre, Washing
ton eagles from hagstaffs. thirty-three spurs, six
teen army spoons one cowbell and twenty-four
copper pennies captured at Lexington.
The men of Clusters command In the parade were
easily distinguishabe by the streaming red ties
which they wore. It is related by Mr.. Truax that
when marching up Pennsylvania after the
war. Mrs Elizabeth Custer. wife Of the general
threw long piece of red flannel at her husbands
command, the same being caught by Mr.. TraK- 1t
was torn up the spot and made into neckties
by the and has since been their distinguishing
mark at encampments and reunions. Some fifteen
Of these ties were visible in to-day g parade.
Probably detachment of the plarching body
attracted attention than the ssyen hundred
members Of the National Association OF Ex-Pris-
oners Of War. Their thrilling stories of prison
life and daring escapes had been well circulated
about the city. adding special interest to their
appearance. They came in for an especially heavy
bOnbardnent of flowers.