Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-09-27
VETERANS GOING
TO WASHINGTON
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cession of the survivors of the con-
quering army from the Capitol to the
White House in commemoration of
the grand review which marked the
close of the Civil War. Many other
interesting events are on the program.
Extraordinary preparations had been
made for the event, which promised to
rival presidential inaugurations in in
terest and display. Plans had been
perfected for entertaining 100000
visitors.
The national capital itself is in gala
attire. All public buildings, including
the White House and the Capitol. and
business houses along Pennsylvania
avenue where the grand review is to
take place are draped in the national
colors.
Veterans and visitors alike con-
tinued to arrive to-day and each in
coming train bore its full quota. Most
of them were from the states easier
of access to Washington. Commander
in-Chfef Palmer was among the ar
rivals.
Camp Emery Opened
The days ceremonies began with
the formal opening by Commander
Palmer of Camp Emery and the well
coming by the commander and has
staff of Lieutenant General Nelson A.
Miles. retired, who is to be the grand
marshal of the parade next Wednes-
day.
This was the only formal ceremony
held. the day being devoted largely to
the informal reception of incoming
delegations.
The program of the afternoon called
for patriotic concert by the United
States marine band at the Pension
Building, which is to be used as a
branch headquarters.
Beginning tonight and continuing
throughout the week. the forts around
Washington will be Illuminated by the
Veterans Signal Corps Association,
Twelve war vessels of the United
States navy lay at anchor in the Po-
tomac river here to-day for the in
spection of the veterans. Naval officers
will give daily demonstrations for the
instruction of visitors.
Thirty thousand veterans are ex-
pected to participate in the grand re-
view Wednesday. President Wilson
grandstand in front of the White
House where President Johnson stood
In 1855 to review the conquering army
of the North.
Union Leaders to Attend
The celebration will be marked by
the bringing together of the surviving
great Union leaders. Among them are
the only two living corps commanders,
General James Fl. Wilson, of Whining
ton, DEL, and General Granville NJ.
Dodge, of Council Bluffs. Iowa, and
Division Commanders General Adel-
bert Ames. of Missippi; General d.
Mem. Gregg, of Pennsylvania General
Lewis A. Grant, of Minnesota; General
]. Warren Keifer and Brigadier-
General John T. Wilder. of Knoxville.
Many Gray Glad Veterans
In addition to the Grand Army vet
Grams in their uniforms of blue incom-
ing trains are bringing in large num-
bers of gray-clad Confederate veterans
invited to the festivities President
Wilson by special executive order has
granted holiday to all government
employees who served on either side to
attend the reunion
The death rate of the veterans OF
the Civil War is 100 a day and the
final call for the survivors, the aver
age of whom is II years of age, is fast
approaching. This encampment. there
fore. will be the last formal gathering
of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Encampments of some sort will be
held each year. the officers say. until
the last man of the war passes away.
Official records show that 2,272.40s
men fought under the Stars and
Stripes in the Civil War and that
349,944 lost their lives before Lee
surrendered. The 100000 veterans
of the armies of the North at the close
of strife fifty years ago have dwindled
to less than 400. 900.