The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-07-05

ton, yesterday, with more hustle and parade,
than we have witnessed for length of
time. Nodding plumes and glittering bayo.
nets have been rare sights with us during
these piping times OF peace" but when we
hear the merry tap of the drum, the martial
impulse is irresistible. We thought the
martial spirit of our peaceable borough
had become extinct since the late war, as
one fourth Of July after another passed a
way without the least display Of military pa
rade; but in this we were mistaken. for the
wild ambition of some Of our legislators,
who, painting for the glory of commanding
a batch of cornstalks and hoop-poles, induc-
ed them to pass military law, that the good
citizens of the state Of Delaware might be
dragged indiscriminately, four times year,
into the field through dust and mud to wit
ness the admirable feats of their gallant Of
flccrs. But to return to sketch Of the events
of the day:
We suppose our readers at distance, and
particularly those who have been kept at
home BY the labours of the harvest field,
would like to know what kind Of day we
had.
On Tuesday evening, the two volunteer
companies, State Fenei6ics and Washington
Grays, commanded by Captains Porter and
MClung, paraded in fine style and repaired
to the Old Ferry, about half mile below
the borough to receive the Washington Fen
cibirS, Capt. Cooper, from Philadelphia, who
were expected to join US in commemorating
the great day. The steamboat arrived about
6 o'clock, and the troops expected, having
discmbarked, were received by those in
waiting, and escorted up to town under the
command of Major Woolfe. In the eyening
our welcomed yisiters enjoyed pleasant ex-
curslon upon the romantic shores of the
brandy wine, the beauties of the scenery be !.
ing heightened by the ia! OF bright moon.
On the morning Of the 4th, about O'Clock,
the drums beat to arms. The respective
companies met and repaired to shady
grove about a mile west of the town, where
they partook of plain but substantial colla-
ton. The Declaration of Independence was
read and many patriotic toast drank, and
had it not been for two unpleasant circum-
stances, the hilarities Of thl day would have
ended in most agreeable manner; one Of
which was tremendous gust of rain, which
came upon the company about the time
they we're preparing to return to town,
which drenched every mothers son of them
to the very skin. and they, poor fellows. came
home in most unenviable predicament.
The other circumstance to which we alludc,
nance. was ola most serious nature-and we arc
not certain that the result will not be the loss Of
the lives Of two of our citizens. These young
men were engaged with others in loading and fir
ing field piece which was used to respond the
sentiments of the tousts which were drank, and
were in the act of ramming home heavy car.
fridge, when the gun went off. The result may
almost Immediately be conceived. Roth per.
sons were blown several feet from the mue-e OF
the gun and most prcadfuly mangled. One of
them, Mr.. w. Hyatt, had his right hand blown
off and was otherways much injured in face and
body, by the powder, the oher, Tarrans Brady,
was more dangerously injured, having the from
tai hone of his head shattered considerably; one
eve blown out, and his face and neck tlreadfuly
mangletl-but little hopes are entertained of his
recovery The fractured part Of Mr.. Ilyatt's
arm was amputated, and hop are entertained
that he will do well.
This morning our Philadelphia friends were
escorted to the steamboat Superior, On hoard of
which they embarked to return to their native
city, bearing with them the warmest wishes Of
our citizens, for safe passage. Capt. Cooper's
Company was composed Of fine looking young
men, handsomely uniformed and well discipln-
ed, and their department whilst with rs was
such as to engage our warnest feelings of re-
spect and admiration. Less cannot be said Of
our own troops; young, vigorous and full Of mar.
tial pride, they cndcavorcd to excel in this, to
its admirers, fascinating sciences and so great is
their improvement in.discipline, that one would
suppose they had been, instead of u few weeks
rgidly drilled for years Their general appear
ance is highly creditable.