Connecticut western news., 1912-03-14
IN GRAND REVIEW
Second Heavies in the Final March
 Through Washington.
BY s. RnnRRTs

b h D. ANOhEh1S
 Comrades You know that we left Fredericksburgh at half past three this Both day of May. Our march yesterday had been hard one, twenty miles, but even though hard one, we could nos refrain from a thorough visit of the city. You remember the works on the heights above the city; all about "Mary's heig ghts" and the buildings in the city were showing the shelling that they had recieved from time to time, from Fal~ mouth heights. The city limits were close down to the Rapahannock river. over which we crossed early this morn- ina. The Second Heaves leading the army. A very hot day. We took the pike leading to the left. toward Dumfries to Potomac Creek, and halted for the day at about 9 o'clock and rested for the night. Tins was new territory to us. We passed house in which we were told that Washington was born.
 This 30th day of May we now know has become a National Day" We had good nights rest and started out at 4 a. III. and after our hardtack and coffee started out towards our goal. You will remember that it was heavily wooded country aud swampy land roads cordu- royed in many places. We halted near Brstow Station at 2;3o and rested for the day.
 Started out June 1 at o'clock, the first anniversary of the terrible battle of "Cold Harbor." ever to be remembered 1 by every surviour of the Second Heavies We crossed the Ocooquon rver at Wolf Run Shoals. then on to Fairfax Station: stopped and got dinner. Then on near Fairfax Court House and went into camp for the night, thus marching eighteen miles. A very hot day.
 Boys, you remember a year ago to night, Gold Harbor, your torn and bleed ing ranks trying to rest. We crossed the old Bull Run battlefield, the first of the war. You will remember the stone abutments of the bridge and some other historic sights.
 June 2. we were called up, got break fast and started on the march passed though Fairfax Court House and on to Bailey's Cross Roads. thence to Balls Cross Roads, in view of the dome of the capitol. and went into camp. It seemed as though we had got home, back in sight of the forts, near Alexandria, where we had spent the first year of our army hfe-school days in our army life; our drilling here prepared us for the ordeal then before us, but now only memory. But this thorough preparation was what made the Secord Heavies small element in the great army, and not so small either when you follow its history, second to none in the army.
 June 8, we lay quiet at Bulls Cross Roads" June was a repetition of the Sd, only we had "dress parade" just to keep us from getting rusty. June Q. the writer got q pass and went down to Alexandria, thence by boat to Washing ton, visited the Lincoln B. B. Hospital, where I spent a little time in the winter of '63, and stayed over night. June 6, returned via Aqueduct bridge to camp. Had battalion drill afternoon. June ', a wet morning, cleared off and we clean ed up for the grand review. June 6, drums called us out at 2:30 i'll the morn- ing and we left camp at four a. m. for the Grand Review We marched down and crossed the long bridge into Wash ington, preparatory to the Grand Re- view of the Sixth Corps. The first di- vicins, fo h5pI, p,y taking the lead. The first division bore the red cross, the second division the white cross and the third division the blue cross, and they followed in order given. We were marched in close order to Maryland Avenue where we were halted at the Capitol gate to await the pleasure of the powers that be, which OCT aInly was no pleasure to the rank and file that had to lie in n boiling sun for nearly two hours, mercury l05, in full dress with all accountrements on, while our superior officers were regaling in the luxuries of the hotels of the city. Iu the middle of the forenoon tho order was given, By the head of col- umn, take wheeling distance r SO that the first company took the lead, in com pany front, and the second followed. as also the third and so on in column by companies. Guide right" so that each first sergeant, as right guide, kept his distance and covered the guide of the column ahead, and with muskets at right shoulder shift and with measured step we wheeled into Pennsylvania Avenue amid the throngs of thousands with banners, flags, handkerchiefs, wbo thronged the roofs, side walks aud streets, to our line of march.
 A Rrander display of military maneu. yer was never seen in this country or any other It was Il terrible hot day. apd rha man su uffarn1 fntansaiv Y,aat