Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-05-18
ITEMS OF NEWS.

The READING RIFLES, as we announced in
Tuesdays paper, arrived here Monday night,
at o'clock, and were escorted 10 their quarters,
at the Empire House, by the German Yagers. The
general reputation of this volunteer corps had pre-
ceded them, and we were not surprisedto witness
the correct movements excellent discipline, and
gentlemanly department Of both officers and pri-
Yates. The company, including their excellent
brass band, numbers about one hundreds their
uniform is blue cloth short jacket, with yellow
binding, and the army regulation cap. The band
uniform is the same, with the exception of frock
coat, instead of the jacket Their arms and equip
ments indicate great care. They are all young
men Of uniform height, or so well arranged that
in column but little difference is noticed. They
are the bone and sinew of the district they came
from, and look as ifthey would not be afraid to
'speak to the enemy at the gate.H
On Tuesday morning they were conducted TO
the Capitol by Hon. J. Clancy Jones, who repre-
sents their district in Congress. While in the
Senate chamber before the session, Mr.. Jones ad-
dressed 10 them some appropriate remarks. From
the Capitol they proceeded 10 the navy yard where
they were entertained with gun practice by the
battery, under the direction of Lieut.. Dahlgren,
who explained to them all the recent improve
ments in the Ordnance department, directed by
himself. After leaving the navy yard they pro-
ceeded to the marine barracks, where they par
took of soldiers fare. On their return, by solicit
| tation, they partook of an entertainment pre-
| pared at the house of Mr.. Jones for them. and
| from thence marched to the boat and started for
Mount Vernon. While at the tomb of Washing
| ton Mr. Tomas ubo stiII ;ad thar,
addressed to them some eloquent, patriotic, and
soul-strring remarks. AT an early hour they re-
turned TO Washington, and retired to their quar-
tiers at the Empire House, and consigned them
selves to the kind care of Mr.. Hefflebower, the
| worthy host.
Yesterday the day was spent in visiting, with
their friends different places ofnterest in the city,
At o'clock, p. M, the Rifles accompanied by
detachment of the Yeagers and Montgomery
Guards, marched to the depot and took their de-
parture for home.
We think Captain Ancona and his rifles will
have no reason TO regret theirvist TO Washington.
A HORRIBLE EXPLOSION occurred on Monday,
between IL and o'clock, at the Black Heath coal.
pits Chesterfield county, Virginia, about twelve
miles from Richmond. These mines are owned
and worked by an English company. About
twenty persons were in the pit at the time Of the
explosion. Soon after the explosion superin-
tendent descended, and Immediately brought up
a body horribly mangled. On second descent
he reported that many bodies more or less dis
figured, were lying about; also two mules; and
that there was certainty that all in the mine at
| the time ofthe explosion were dead. The bodies
had nearly all been drawn out on Tuesday eve-
ming. How this terrible explosion occurred none
lived to tell but shortly before some miners had
left the pit and they reported that they had not de-
| tected an unusual quantity Of gas.
OF the persons thus destroyed most of them
| were white men of families, and great sympathy
was felt for the widows and orphans of those de-
| stroyed.
SHOCKING TRAGEDY.-Mr. George East, OF Ac-
comac, Virginia, was lately pursued and stabbed
by his step-son, the assassin, in manner horrible
10 relate, having literally cut him to pieces After
leaving him for dead, the butcher returned, propped
the body against the fence, near which his victim
had fallen and cut his throat from ear 10 ear He
then returned TO town. and delivered himself up,
saying che had been intending to do it for long
| time"
He alleged in his defence, that his mother had
been illtreated by the deceased, but it is thought
they had fallen out about the property of Mrs.
East. The parties were heretofore respectable,
| and in good circumstances 1t is also stated that
it will be difficult TO prevent the popuace from
| lynching the prisoner, great is the excitement
JusTIcE.-The New Orleans Delta tells story
Of man in that city, who, being about to enter
upon doubtful speculation, disposed of all his
real estate, and deposited the proceeds thereof in
the bank in the name Of has acif, that the money
might be beyond the reach of creditors, should
his speculation prove Improbable. The wife,
finding herself the sudden possessor of wealth, in
her own right, ran away TO Havana with good
looking masculine friend, leaving her loving
spouse 10 consider, at his leisure the truth Of the
old adage.
STEAM FIRE ENGINE.--The city government Of
Providence has voted to procure steam fire en-
| CINE at cost.of $500.