The “Norfolk Blues” and the “Virginia Carbuncles” entered upon the march with highly polished rifles and well filled canteens. Their rifles were still highly polished when the march was over.
The “Seventh Regiment,” of New York, composed entirely of officers, was much applauded. Its discipline was apparent in its style of marching and the waxed moustaches of its members.
The brigade of American Indians was under the command of General Sheridan. The warriors were conveniently and economically uniformed in blankets. Each chief had his initials plainly visible upon the corner of his blanket. By a strange coincidence, almost a fatality, the initials of the name of every man in the brigade were the same letters—U and S.
The “West Point Cadets” were also in line. They made a peaceful and pleasing show with their little tin swords and wooden guns. They looked very neat too, clean faces and well-brushed hair showing that they were tenderly cared for. Their jackets were buttoned tight up to their necks. The ladies were charmed with them, and “little dears,”THE
“LITTLE DEARS.” “sweet, ain’t they?” were the expressions heard on all sides. Much sympathy was expressed for them on account of the great length of the route—entirely too long for children to traverse. The cadets were to have remained during two weeks of the Exposition, but they got to eating unripe cherries from the trees in the Park, and falling into the Schuylkill River, so the Commissioners were compelled to send them home.
The “Naval Cadets” were marshalled under Secretary Robeson. This old salt was arrayed as Neptune, with a trident in his hand, and a crown of real sea-shells upon his aged, weather-beaten brow. The cadets were taken care of during their stay by a file of marines.
The procession started at 10 o’clock, and by two P. M. one-half of the main body having passed the Continental Hotel, the head of the procession reached Memorial Hall, while the tail was wagging here, there and everywhere, about the sacred shadows of Independence Hall.
At Memorial Hall, amid the salvos of artillery, the pealings of bells, and music of the band; the hymns of the singers, and the cheering of the vast, innumerable multitude, the
CHAPLAIN OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE
ascended the decorated pulpit.