The Washington Inaugural Centennial & Photograph, 1889
The Legion’s successful participation in drill competitions and state militia service would earn them a spot in the Washington Centennial Parade of 1889, an honor that would be discussed for decades to come by anyone who wrote about the Louisville Legion.
The Washington Centennial was a celebration of the 100th anniversary of George Washington’s presidential inauguration, which was held in the then-capitol of the United States, New York City. Planned by the New York Historical Society, the three-day event was a commemoration not only of the inauguration of the first president of the United States, but also a show of the progress and power the United States had gained over the century. Over a million people were expected to attend the festivities, which culminated in a large parade through downtown New York. Every state of the union sent a representative to march in the parade and attend the festivities. Several states, including Kentucky, sent militias to represent their populace.
Governor Simon Bolivar Buckner was responsible for the selection of the representative body which would attend the Centennial on behalf of the commonwealth of Kentucky. The selected group would be the official escort of the Governor to the festivities. The Louisville Legion was selected for the trip, as they were the only battalion drilling unit in the state and all soldiers were adequately uniformed, according to Colonel Castleman. The Legion was responsible for paying its own way to New York, not relying on government funds to pay for train tickets, which cost $14 per person. No more than 32 men from each company could travel for the festivities. To offset the cost of the trip and make sure the Legion was represented at its best, Col. Castleman paid fare costs for 50 of the men, all musicians for the Legion.
The Legion participated in a review by the mayor of Louisville, Charles D. Jacob, the night before their departure to New York. The group traveled the next day by train to New York City, where they were led by Governor Buckner in the Centennial parade. They returned to Louisville on May 3rd, 1889, greeted by a reception hosted by other members of the Louisville Legion. There was extensive newspaper coverage of the Centennial parade across Kentucky, the most coverage the Legion got in the media for their participation in any event.