The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-05-09
"REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR OF 1872

a member Of Congress in 1912, furnish
es the. following interesting reminiscent
ces in letter to the editor Of the N.
Y. Courier and Enquirer:
Iwell remember the occasion of the
presentation by Mid. Hamilton, of the
flag of the Macedonian. was present,
though unintentionally, at the grand
naval ball, given about the | 9th Of De-
cember, 1912, by The citizens Of Wash
ington, to Capt. Stewart, in return for
one he had given them little previous
on board his ship. tal u. aerl
The ball was held at Tomlinson's
Hotel. on Capitol Hill. where board
ed; and being somewhat indisposed, |
had retired to bed just as the ball open
ed. The music, and the regular vibra-
tion of the floor to the motion of the
dance, kept me awake. | consider ed
as was thus condemned to suffer the
evil of the ball, i mightas we'll compen-
safe myself by its qualification. | found
1t well filled with the beauty and FASH
ion of the place, and honored witlrthe
presence of Mr.. and Mrs. Madison, ,and
the heads Of the departments, among
whom was Paul Hamilton, the Secre-
tary Of the Navy, his lady and two
handsome daughters. aalFI
In the midst of our enjoyment, at
about II o'clock, messenger came to
the door and communicated some ews
secretly to the manager. They were
then observed to whisper something
privately to Mr.. Hamilton, who had a
private conversation with the Presi-
dent. Immediately it was buzzed about
that messenger had come and was
waiting below, with the glad tidings of
a signal victory of one Of our ships
over one Of the British, with equal.
force. I'VE 3ey.k@ Ht
4 In moment, and without the least
noise or confusion. an arrangement was
made by the managers, to give foil el-
feet to the fortunate coincident. The
Secretary's Impotence to run down
stairs and meet his son, was restrained.
and delegation Of three gentlemen
were appointed to wait on Mid. Ham
llton and invite him up, with the trophy
of victory of which he was The bearer,
the flag Of the Macedonian.
An opening was left through the
J crowd of spectators, from the door to
the back part of the room. Secretary
: Hamilton and his family were placed
at the bottom of the passage, and in
. front of the door, while the President
and his lady, with the members of his
Cabinet we're placed on each side. A
breathless silence prevailed. The la
dies stood up on the back seats. between
the columns that supported the ceiling,
the whole length of the room, gazing
: with intense interest at the door.
1t may be mentioned that Mid. Ham
ilton had heen absent about two years,
and that he had escape !, by miracle.
from The confagration Of the Richmond
theatre, the winter before, by breaking
through the sash Of one Of the upper
windows, and leaping to the ground, a
distance of thirty feet. AT length the
head Of the procession entered the
room, consisting OF Mid. Hamilton,
supported on each side by a member
of the committee, followed by train
!. of gentlemen. having the captured flag.
Il \ oung Hamilton. seeing his parents
waiting hisapproach with outstretched
: larms, with modest demeanor and accel-
! Grated steps threw himself into the arms
Of his mother, who hid her face in his
!. bosom, overcome by her feelings Of ST.
lent joy; from thence he tore himselfto
grasp his fathers hand in long and
cordial shake, and ended by returning
the enraptured embraces Of his sisters.
c 8 As soonast sthis highly dramatic scene
b was over. one sudden burst of huzzas
! resounded through the room. The flag
i was paraded, and marched through the
D room to the tune Of Hail Columbia
j after which it was brought before Mrs.
|, Madison, and laid at her feet; but she
D did not tread on il, as some Of the OPP
5 position papers alleged. You may
q we'll expect that this new and unex-
J. pected feature in the ceremony, gave
h an increased zest to the entertainment,
9 and thatit went off with charming and
h enhanced gusto.
7 Young Hamilton was very hand.
h some officer, and invested as be was.
with the virgin honors Of this great ma
e val victory which dissolved the charm
: Of British invincibility on the ocean,
y was the cynosure of all fair eyes pre-
i sent; buthe bore his triumph meekly.
$ He was promoted to Iieutenancy ,and
b IN that capacity was cut into by a chain
h shot, in the action Of the President
It with the Endymion, or rather British