The General was lustily cheered wherever he went, and General Butler was the subject of more praise during this day, than during any portion of his life subsequent to his occupation of New Orleans.
The position of honor, the First Division, was given to the Philadelphia regiments by a unanimous vote of the generals of divisions.
Col. Hill and Dale Benson led off with his command, which appeared for the first time in its new uniform. The immense black fur muffs, which the members borrowed from their sisters and wore upon their heads, gave them a very ferocious appearance, though most of their noses were completely hidden from view. Company “C” attracted particular attention. It had adopted a new “hop” for marching, which was both graceful and unique, though evidently fatiguing.
The “State Fencibles” turned out in fine style. With their accustomed liberality they presented arms to all the pretty girls they met on the way. The “City Troop” brought up the rear of the division. These warriors were arrayed in all their awful panoply of war—white ties and white kid gloves, with gold vinaigrettes, containing salts and extracts, dangling from their belts. Their horses were also supplied with vinaigrettes, which they sniffed occasionally in lieu of their usual odor—the smoke of battle. The Troop carried a magnificent banner, inscribed—
First in Peace—First in War—
and
First in the Hearts of their
Countrywomen.
And, on the reverse side—
PRESENTED TO THE
CITY TROOP OF PHILADELPHIA
BY THEIR
LADY FRIENDS AND ADMIRERS,
AT THEIR
FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC,
Schuylkill Falls Park, July 1, 1872.
The Pennsylvania Veterans, G. A. R., marched in the centre of the Second Division, and a moving incident occurred as they passed by the Mint near Broad Street.
The first distinguished warrior to appear was Colonel Mann, the hero of ~0007 fights, mounted upon the gallant steed which had borne him safely through them all. Along the route, his iron front proudly erect, his bronzed and battered features flushed with the nobility of a natural pride, he was greeted by the enthusiastic cheers of the assembled thousands. Maidens from beyond the seas—officers (no mean heroes themselves) from the armies of the old world, joined in the gracious tumult. One bald-headed veteran (a Marshal of the Windsor Castle Guards, who had left a leg at Balaklava, an arm at Waterloo, an eye in the Crimea, and who expected to distribute the rest of himself upon various other battle-fields before he died) turned to the Chevalier De Lafayette, who with Senator Sam Josephs occupied the barouche with him, and asked—