The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-10-09


and Col. Johnson.
HARTFORD, Oct. 5.h, lS43.
:" wish, DR.. Slop," quoh Uncle Toby "you had
seen what great armies we had IN Flanders"
DIR. Stops ideas were not put to more efIeciual
rout by this i-tmed wish of Uncle Toby's, than
doubtless yours will be, Mr.. Editor, when wish
you had seen the First Brigade, Connecticut Mi.
litia." You will probably call to mind the shades
of those who fell at Marathon and blcd at Leuctra
and Mantinea, the phaIapx led by the Macedonian
hero in The battle of the Issus and OF Arbela, the
hordes led by Tamerlane and Ghengis Kahn. the
victorious bands under Henry w. at Ivry and Henry
V. at Agincouri, the glorious array that fought I'M
der Lannes at Austerlitz, under Buonapare at Lodi,
and under Wellington at Waterloo-and even then
you cannot have half a conception OF the "pomp
and circumstance" of Connecticut brigade day"
Such a flashing of epaules, cleaning OF swords,
beating of drums, swaving of colors, marching and
counter:marchng OF citizen warriors 1t has never
before fallen to my lot to witness. Sorry am | 10
say it, but verify, even il Fame does not split her
trumpet In herading their achievements to the
world 1t will probably never again be worth far.
thing TO sound the praises of those fields the world
has, hitherto in its simplicity, accounted famous
All after this, what will become of Troy and
Thebes, Agrigentlum, Cizlzicum and Mytllene
IT we were disposed to describe this glorious day
first place introduce you to the joval Autumn, his
face pulled ont in the likeness OF good ripe pump.
kin, on which the veins are filled out more brilliant
and in bright relief by high teed-leadng Dan PoG
bus over the yellow plains on one ot the brlghte,t
mornings in October; we would picture to you the
serene sky and smiling landscape, the busy multi
tudes pouring ltO the city from all quarters to wit
ness the Imposing spectacle, the long lines of vehl-
Giles crowded with the WARRIORS armed and equipped
to play becoming part in the great drama OF the
day; we would give you a peep at the long main
| street Of Hartford. crowded with old and young in
their best attire, and at the countenances OF the
mighty throngs pouring into it through every tho
rouglare beamng with cheeruness and delight;
we might give an Imaginary scream at the lmpossl-
bilty OF giving you an adequate idea OF the sp'en.
dor and magntcence OF the military that extended
upwards OF mite up and down the whole length OF
the street-hutwe do not mean to do so We have no
gift tor heroic description, aud 1t we had, 1t would
| be thrown away on your common folks, who SO
| strangely prefer common sense to all the bombast
and fustiaa exhibited IN the choicest specimens OF
| grandlloquence.
| Allow me then, if | can hold in my pegasus, to
give you Dre description of the draniatts PERSONA.
The LIST brigade of the LIST division is composed OF
the 1st 6h l4th, 18th, and 18th regiments Infantry;
LIST and regiments Cauary, and I'd regiment Ar
| tilery, iofmad from the following tOwns:-
LIST regiment Infantry from Hartford, Bloomfield, We
thersfeld and Windsor
| Society, Stepney in Wehersfed, and Berlin in Wor
thington--
l4h regiment from Pennington, Berlin Bristol, Bur.
lington Southington. and part OF Canton.
18th regiment, from Smsbury, Suhed, CRANKY, part
of Hartford East Windsor aud Canton
25th regiment, from East Windsor Glastonbury, East
Hsrtlend, Manchester and Venom
LIST regiment Cavalry, from Simsbury, Canton, &c.
4th do do do Middleown Wethersfeld sc.
81 regiment Artillery, from East Hartford, Bristol &C.
The day being very fine, there was quite full
turn out After paradins about by single regiments,
with volunteer companies in the van md rear, and
the regular militia in the CENTRE the regiments uni
ted and ormed one unbroken line. extending from
one end OF the city to the other. This was the o.
| sltion IN which they stood when we were wrought
up to such pitch OF presumption as to wish that the
whole world might become clarivoyant, and take
| one single look at them. They were stationed in
| regmental order, flag stas two PAGES in this rear,
and officers two in front. Unnterable glory BEAM
| edfrom every countenance and radlaed from every
| visor.
| The Lighthouse o! the county appeared in full
uniform, scarlet coats, laced with silver, birthstone
email clothes, black CATERS and bear skin crested
| he lmets-a splendid company. Most of the light
| horse were similarly uniformed, and OF course pre-
sented an imposing appearance. Nothing extra
| struck the eye in the other companies, excepting
| the drill Of The Hartford Light Guard, which was
| certainly extraordinary Every movement OF eyes,
| hands and limbs seemed that of one undivided bo-
| dy. We have, however, one remark to make, that
applies to nearly all the volunteers, and we wish u
| to be taken seriously Their tails were 200 snort.
| The most of the companies were so curtaled that
! we were almost at loss to find any tail at all. Ell
Their they Differed by taiors who chose short
| tails for convenience of cabbage" or what is
| more probable, they were go ordered by some pl-
pln-heared potroons. from provldent apprehen-
| sion against being arrested thereby by a pursuing
| enemy, being the same reason why Gar Peter or
| dered his soldiers to parade without queues
| Whichever it may be, we pronounce their mock
tails an abortion which exposes them awfully to be
cat up in detail. To make up for this censure OF
their tails we give them due credit for their splen
did breasts They were plump as parrldges. and
certainly ought to be- to still the beatngs of their
mighty hearts That organ in military men being
disposed to swell parade days like the pampered
liver of Solan.goose.
The regular militia were out in all their glory
Mars, Jupiter, juno, Minerva But what is the
use of CALCULATIONS Here they were in unmigated
glory. Axe handles, pitchforks, and broomstlcks
there were none; but the medley OF weapons OF all
Sorts varieties and sizes, and variety OF uniforms,
beggars Iiption-rfe, artillery, and ragtoe,"
with feathers and without, were mingled hlsgledy-
piggledy in most admired confusion We were
glad, however, TO see them out IN such iul force,
and in so fine spirits. A brigade day without
ragtoes," would be like the play OF Hamlet, with
the part of the Prince left out by particular request
They were the true heroes OF the day-he glorious
| couquerors, tae bitter men OF war.
The first and best of this pulssan host, in our OPT
mon, wereto be found in the militia from the an
| cient town OF Pyquag or Wethersheld. They were
| strung together like punched onions Indeed, GER
tain rotuad. corpulent fiery faced (and, doubtless,
| fiery souled) individuals. resembled so closely that
interesting esculent, that 1t iaIrly made our eyes
| run 10 look at them. No doubt they will
make efficient warriors; il not otherwise, at least
| by their breath
Next in rank, of course, we number the Hartford
militia Gallant fellows were they, grim and war
like, their hearts peepng out of their eyes in their
ardor for battle I'll warrant them food for
powder" We noticed, especially, one doughty
captain in ragtoe coat, with major epauets, rifle
pants, and dragoon cap, with long swaling feather,
that triumphed in the spos OF dozen hen.roosts,
stationed opposite Mr.. Robuson's. We would bet
our grandIather's horse pistols on his being true
man of war.
The company, under his command, looked more
like the descendants OF Habakuk Nutter, Lerabsbel
Strong, Hesekiah Fisk, Preserved Fish, and that
terrible host of warriors that put TO flight of yore
the valiant Stoffel Brinkerhoff, and who crowned
their exploits by taking the fort OF Coed Hoop, on
Dutch Point, by surprise, (lts valiant Dutch deten
out their pipes despite the gallant proclamatons OF
its heroic commander, and dismissed the garrison
with the honors of war, VIZ, seizng them by the
M "a the mack and counting them OIL with pedal