[340] applause the admiration and commendation of the tremendous aggregation of citizens and visitors.
Until the column had nearly reached its destination the day was fair and pleasant, and everybody who could do so rushed to some convenient point from which to view the passing soldiery—veterans and cadets. At many places bouquets of flowers were tossed to the marching veterans and soldiers, and all along the line there was a constant waving of umbrellas, canes and handkerchiefs and flags. So crowded were the streets that the line barely had room to pass through the more dense sections. All along the route the spectators covered every available spot, and the faces of merry maidens and their glad beaus added to the beauty of the picture.
Although it was announced that the procession would move from the corner of Eleventh and Broad streets at 2 o'clock, it was fully 2:45 before the command to ‘Forward march,’ was given. This order was but one to move a column, the like of which in times of peace had but once before been seen in Richmond. There were possibly more soldiers here on the day that the equestrian statue to the memory of the immortal Robert E. Lee was unveiled, but upon no other occasion has there been such a parade. There were in the parade more than two thousand veterans, who, fast passing beyond the brink of life, are transferring to their children and their children's children memories of an event which will not perish in the world's history.
After a great deal of marching and counter-marching, moving from one place to another, and several of the delays which always attend such an affair, the great column was moved up Broad street. It was headed by that dignified and commanding veteran of the Mexican war, Major John Poe, Chief of Police, who rode with fitting grace a beautiful sorrel charger. He had with him two squadrons of his faithful officers. The first was under command of Captain James B. Angle, with Sergeants Cosby, Brooks, and Acting-Seargents Talley and Allen, while Captain E. J. Hulce, with Seargents Epps and Thomas, directed the movements of the second part. In all there were forty police in line.
