Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 20.djvu/360

 354 Southern Historical Society Papers.

The march was a long, hot and dusty one, but those in line, including the veterans, stood to it with splendid steadiness. Many of the latter bore on their bodies the scars of battle, and others were broken in health from exposure in camp or bivouac, but there was about the veteran column something of that grim determination of the days when their dauntless courage, their fortitude, and their dis- regard for all obstacles that confronted them made the armies of the the Confederacy the admiration of the world.

RESPECT TO GENERAL LEE.

The march was devoid of interest, except repeated cheering and waving of handkerchiefs, until the parade reached the Lee monu- ment. Here the colors were dipped, the infantry came to a carry, and then a reverse, the veterans, the cavalry, and the artillery also saluted, and the bands played dirges. After leaving this point the column broke into a rout step, which was continued to the site of the Hill monument, where the different organizations were assigned positions.

The actual ceremonies of the unveilfng occupied about an hour and ten minutes; and, save for the dust, the crowd suffered very little inconvenience, as a delightful breeze was blowing all the time.

MARCH THROUGH THE STREETS.

A Splendid Parade of Military and Veterans Viewed by an Enthusiastic

Throng.

There was an unusually large crowd of visitors in the city, and as their numbers were greatly augmented by the military and veterans from various portions of the State, the streets were thronged from early morn till late at night. The hotels were packed, and every train added to the multitude, which seemed to grow as the hours wore on. Broad street, especially in the neghborhood of the Regi- mental Armory, was literally jammed in the early part of the morn- ing, and for several squares around the thoroughfares were almost blockaded.

Most of the visiting military reached here on Sunday, and as the various organizations arrived they were met at the depots by the local volunteers and escorted to their quarters. Throughout the Sabbath, and even until 9 or 10 o'clock yesterday morning the