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[551] Mount Vernon, Ala., and met the Indians, with Geronimo and Eskiminzin. It is impossible to describe the meeting. The men ran to me and embraced me with what I call the “double embrace,” and the women brought their children for me to put my hands on them and bless them. Geronimo declared that he was going to do his best to have the children educated, and Eskiminzin begged hard to return to his own farm in Arizona. They all declared they would do anything I told them to do. We had formed two Indian companies from the Indian prisoners, one stationed at Mount Vernon and the other at Fort Pickens. From both companies I had nothing but excellent reports, and as soon as it was at all practicable we had the rest sent to the Indian Territory, where they have been ever since. One trouble with having regular Indian military companies was that white soldiers would not serve under Indian noncommissioned officers, and another difficulty was the impossibility of having an Indian's family with him. They, however, made the best of irregular troops and scouts. It was not long before all the young Indians were mustered out and joined their people.

In the same year in New York City we had the Washington Centennial Parade in honor of the inauguration of George Washington. It lasted three days. On the last day of the month of April was the military participation. All the troops I could gather were brought together and led in column. Major General Fitzgerald, being a major general commanding the New York National Guard, objected to the regulars preceding his troops, because commanded by only a lieutenant colonel of engineers. I had been requested to join the President and others at the reviewing

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