The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-03-07
H0XcrStOvvn.


HAGERsrowS, Feb %, 1872.
n Great Military Parade and Champagne Battle
| DEAR Sn-
We beg the indulgence Of a small space in the
columns of your highly valuable and independent
paper, for the purpose of giving to the world de-
sultory account of the grand Military Parade and
Champagne that took place here in honor of that
day which gave birth to the father of his country.
The grand military encampment Of the voluntary
companies Of the State which is to be held in the
Monumental City the l6.h day Of May next,
seems to have aroused a martial spirit througho
The State New companies are forming in every
quarter and the old ones are drilling at every lei
sure moment, each INDUCING the fond hope OF
gaining the prise to be awarded to the best drilled
company at the encampment. The people of Ha-
gerstow n were never remarkable fer their love OF
military glory until the announcement OF the Bal.
timore encampment, when they too, seemed to be
seized by the martial ambition that pervadcs the
Safe. For years past, the 22l Of February come
and went, aad few here regarded it as more than
other days. But months ago some of our leading
men began to make preparations to celebrate yes
terday in manner that would DO honor to the
town. At an early period invitations were sent to
the companies of the neighborins towns, inviting
them TO parade in Hagarstown on the I'D. News
wss soon spread over the country Of the grand
military parade which was to take place in Hagers-
town on the ga. The country people began to re-.
gard that day as an era in their existence. On
that day all work was to be suspended, all schools
to be closed, that every one might witness the
grand process ssn-and at an early hour yesterday
morning the inhabilants were aroused from their
slumbers by the beating of drums in the streets -
About nine O'Clock the Hagerstown horse guards,
mounted ON light erays, uader the command Of
Captain Hollingsworlh; the Potomac dragons,
from Clear Spring, and the Sharpsburg and Boons
looking company Of infantry from Frederick City,
and the Union rifle company Of this place, all
formed their respective captains, in the pub
lceqsquarc at ended with two full bands of music,
when Lieut.. Clarke, Of the horse guards, dwas or
dered to escort Brigadier General Williams and
his aids, from their quarters, t. review the COM
panies. The country people OF all ages, sizes and
sexes had been fockng IN for hours, in all direc-
zing and astonished crowd, and 1t was only the
wariike appearance, and gigantic statue Of st.
Clarke that could make way for the General and
his aids, whose lofty plumes, and porlly carriage,
seemed still more to aghast the astonishcd crowd.
The troops went through many evslutions, and
their drilling soon betrayed the many recruits
in their ranks but what they lacked in tactics
they made mp in magniGcence Of the uniform
After The review, they paraded through the differ
snt streets, where every window was filled with
the less warke OF the population. About two
o'clock they halted in front of the Hagerstown Ho-
tel, the horsenen dismouated, and all the troops
were led in order Of battle into the large dining
room, where magnificent dinner was pre- pared
The hsrsencn form u main front the infantry the
left, and the rlAemen the right wing. After demel
ishing sundry turkes, hams, and roast pigs, ter
rible battle ensued-c erks were fyirg, champagne
bottles cracking in every quarter; the femen soon
retired to where they could do better execution
at less expense. The Clear Spring aud Sharpe
burg troopers deserted rapidly as the battle grew
warmer The Frederick infantry maintained their
ground manfuly for hours, but being overpowered
BY the dauntess spirit Of the enemy, fe 4, leaving
most Of their men wounded upon the field among
whom was the gallant Captain Small. The Ha-
defend the field. A great hustle arising on the
right, toe soon Informed the troops that their gen
eral and his gallant aid were both morally wound
ed, and were then being carried from the field
AT tina time the scene became tsYrible-the majes-
tic plumes, which bot short time before waived
20 proudly in the air, were now strewed IN every
directiou-here could be seen . noble horse guard,
who had expired, sword in hand--thers could be
seen an oihcer apparently breathing his last, sur
proud to console the last moments Of their COM
mander; in another place could be seen men WHO
had crawled from the hustle to breathe their iatn
some secluded corner. But all this did not dnmay
the veteran captain Of the horse guards, who, with
his remaining Il ", renewed the charge with redou
bled vgor. Bat Sergesnts Kennedy ssd Wasman,
who, on account Of their great courage xad ski
in tae ties and loss Of officers, had been promoted
during the eHgaGsmeat, were carried MORALLY
wouuded on the field, and their bssve captain,
after seeing corporal Thomson and private Bell
taM Al his feet surrendered At discretion So end
ed the first day. BcArsMAr.