Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-07
CITY AFF AIR q.
FOUR I'll OF July

FOUR TIL OF JULY
Inc morning of the 18th was ushered in by a salute
nred by detachment of the Richmond Fayette ArtiI-
ery The rains of the previous night had been sufi-
GENTLY copous TO lay the DUST but not heavy enough TO
create mudthe air had also been cooled by The timely
showers, and more beautiful morning never usbered
IN the natal day of Freedom. As the day advanced,
e say put on Its serenest aspect the fleeing clouds
were soon osspated and the earth seemed clad gar
menl OF glory and beauty 1t was positively delight
full to breathe the pure, delicious atmosphere to bare
the oro" TO inc iresh summer breeze, and enjoy the
genial temperature Of the season.
AT early hour the streets were thronoed with ,nI
ttudes OF happy children attached to the different Sum
day schools in the citytheir little faces LIGHTED nm with
gladstone excitement. They, attended BY their teach
ers sought various shady retreats in the ctv and conn
try, where appropriate exercises in honour of the day
were performed These being over the little Juveniles
were eted by their teachers and permitted TO eniov
the largest liberty We attended one OF these ceebra
tlons-"the Excursion on the DanvIle Railroad and Pic
MIC Dinner by the Sunday School of the Second Bap
hstChurch spent the day very pleasantly But we
nave not room to-day for description of what we saw
and heard on that occasion The pleasant task of re-
counting the incidents OF the day u.s. therefore necessa
riy deferred. Suffice it to say, however, that great
credit IS due MIR. Ellyson, the Superintendent of the
ochool'lor the admirable manner in which he planned
and carried out all the arrangements.
Hugh w. Sheffey, Esq. addressed the Sunday School
children attached to the First Baptist Church; Rev Mr.
iioweh ADDRESSED those belonging to the Second Bap
fist Sunday School; and those attached to the Third
Church were addressed by Mr. Gay.
The Sons of Temperance paid due respect to the day
and we hear OF several pleasant Pic Mics which came
OH near the city, under the auspices of the different d.
visions.
ne MILITARY turned out in force, and so rare dis
play In this way has before been witnessed in
the city. The "Cockade Blues" Capt. Donnan arrv-
ca IN the cars from Petersburg, about A. nj. and
were welcomed to the city by several of volunteer
corps,who escoEd them to appropriate quarters The
volunteer regiment, accompanied by their guests the
Cockade Blues, formed in Broad street, at 10 o'clock
were reviewed by Governor Floyd and his staff and
after performing number of evoluons, marched to
the Capitol Square and fired the usual salute at 10 M
Alter the firing the Military repaired to the African
Ch urch, where the Declaration of Independence was
read by M. Johnson, Esq.
lhe regiment again formed, after the ceremonies in
the Church were over and marched up to the head of
Broad street, where the companies separated-he Rich
mond Light Drsgoon aceomp anied by their guests the
Chesterfield Troop, repaired Griins Spring, below
Rockets where they partook of an excellent dinner
the German Rifles, filing off to the left, repaired to the
beautiful Grove above Carkes Springs, where thew
dined,-and the other companies consisting of the Ar
tlllery the Grays the Eagle Infantry the Dung Guard
the Montgomery Guards, and the Caledonia Guard ac-
companled by the Cockade Blues marched to Cant
Goddln's Spring, where they partook of SUMPTION.
dinner.
The Blues paraded at 10 o'clock and at 10 took the
cars Tor the Slash Cottage, where they spent glorious
day, as IS conceded all Sides They returned to the
city about O'Clock at night, well pleased with their
jaunt.
About halt past five O'clock the "Cockade Blues"
escorted by the different corps dining at Bacon Quar-
ter Branch Tavern took up the line OF MAI for the
Richmond and Petersburg Railroad Depot preparatory
to leaving ON their return home. Whilst the comma
mes were crossing the bridge the canal at the ter
mnatlon of 7th treet, a slight accident occurred
which at one time threatened to be attended with se-
rlous consequences large number of negroes having
collected on the fooway Of the BRIDGE for the pur-
pose OF scanning the soldiers they passed. the rotten
materials OF which this portion of the bridge had been
constructed suddenly yielded to the unusual pressure
and the whole were precipated into the canal below
The members OF the different corps, as we'll as the
spectators, instantly repaired the aid of the unfortu-
nate beings, and we glad say that no lives were
lost, though or two of the negroes narrowly esca-
ped death by drowning.
The Cockade Blues took leave of OR CITY few mi
nutes after 6 O'clock returning home in the regular
evening mail train. The companies comprising the
escort then repaired to the Square, where the evening
salute was fired by the Artillery.
Thus pleasantly passed off the 18th Anniversary of
American Independence in Richmond without serious
accident to any, and with evident satisfaction to ALL
The day was prolific OF pleasurabe and patriotic in
cidents, to some OF which we may hereafter allude