Astor Battery on Parade (1899) *** (out of 4) The Astor Battery became famous after the Spanish-American war and these young men are on display in this Edison short, which was shot on Saturday, January 21, 1899. We see a parade cross Broadway onto Union Square with the mounted police, the band and then the Astor Battery. The footage of this short is still in very good condition, which adds a lot considering how little footage is available of these men. Needless to say the real entertainment comes from seeing these real life men and as a history lesson this film is quite important.