Monday, Sep. 17, 1923
The Marchers
The Grand Army of the Republic held its 57th reunion at Milwaukee. About 12,000 members attended. There cannot be many more reunions.
On the first night of the encampment, the old soldiers saw a sham battle by new soldiers (Wisconsin National Guardsmen), repelling a landing party from the Great Lakes Naval Training Station.
Next day took place the annual parade. The line of marchers extended four miles, those who could not go on foot being borne in atuomobiles. Emergency aid stations were situated at half-block intervals; ambulances were stationed at every cross street; policemen lined the route. Fortunately, few of the veterans were forced to drop out on the 21-block march to the reviewing stand. They had still the fighting spirit of '61, but there were too few of them.
Gaylord M. Saltzgaber of Van Wert, O., was chosen Commander-in-Chief of the G. A. R. to succeed the retiring commander, James W. Willett, of Tama, Ia.