Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 22.djvu/349

 .///,,/ // >'/,//, /*' and Sailors' Monunni.t. 337

enthusiasm and patriotism again the shrine to which all true South- ern hearts turned. Those who were with us in person testified by their acts and the zeal with which they entered into the spirit of the the occasion their steadfast faith in the righteousness of the convic- tion of the South. Those who by force of circumstances were ab- sent in body were present in a spirit of benediction.

The city was moving early. The shrill and inspiring bugle call, the roll of drum, the concerted music of bands, and the steady tramp of military and veteran organizations broke the morning air long before the rising sun brought out the still unveiled monument in relief against the eastern sky line. As the hours wore on the streets began to fill with people, especially along the route mapped out for the parade, and in the neighborhood of the several head- quarters the throngs of happy children and animated women upon the sidewalks, the majority of whom wore Confederate colors or carried Confederate flags, making a picturesque avenue through which galloped marshals, aides and couriers, and marched and coun- termarched the camps, military companies and cadet corps.

At general headquarters, Sixth and Main Streets, where the aides and marshals reported to receive their badges, and at the West- moreland Club, where the distinguished visitors were assigned to carriages, all was bustle for some two hours before the parade started. Captain Ellett, Secretary of the Monument Association Executive Committee, and Chief of Staff, Captain E. J. Bosher, were on duty at the headquarters, and Mr. R. S. Bosher took charge of the car- riage list at the Westmoreland, and was assisted by several of his committeemen. The club, with its usual hospitality, kept open doors, many of its members being present to entertain visitors and see that they were made perfectly at home. The same hospitality marked the Commonwealth Club, where there also were many callers.

A dense crowd gathered where the parade assembled, but as soon as the column moved, scattered for other points to get a second sight of the inspiring pageant. Many turned to Libby Hill, and from the escarpment just under the monument obtained a magnificent vista view of the procession as it approached down Main street with its fluttering banners and glistening muskets and sabres, over-arched by the bewildering maze of bunting which decorated the houses.

The head of the column reached Twenty-ninth and Franklin streets at 3:10 o'clock, and as it had to be manoeuvred in very close quarters it took some time to get the several divisions and organiza-