Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-09-15
THE RECEPTION OF THE WASHINGTON
LIGHT INFANTRY, &C.
sspondence of the Star. 1
PoRrsMoUTH, va Sept. ia, ]


Especial Correspondence OF the Star.
PORTSMOUTH, Va Sept. IA, 1856
Yesterday Saturday was gala day in this
town. The finest feeling was evinced by the
military; while among the citizens generally
there ives more animation than we remember
to have ever seen on a similar occasion. The
thronged 81 de-walks, cleaning bayonets, STIR
ring music and waving banners, reminded one
Of our National Anniversary or some other
such public day. Beauty contributed her i'm,
portant item to the interest of the scene, and
fairest maidens hurried to and fro, sharing
the excitement of the sterner sex
At 81 O'Clock the Old Dominion Guards,
Capt. Edward Kesrns-numbering Sand
RiAemen, Capt Misunderstanding So
proceeded in battalion order, under comm an
ofCapt. Richardson, to the railroad wharf, for
the purpose CT receiving their brethren in
alns-the w Arlington Light Infantry of your
city.
The Infantry were expected to arrive at
about 10 O'Clock; but when that hour came.
much to the regret of those concerned: there
was no signs Of the steamer, and indeed not
until some four hours after did she make her
appearance. The cause Of the stea mer's de
tention is given below
At a previous meeting Of the two companies
above mentioned, a committee consisting OF
eight members from each company. was APP
pointed as q committee Of reception. This com
mittee left for Old Point in the steamer Sea
Bird at 6 a. IN , and while on their way thither
held a meeting Lieut.. Wrenn presding-for
the purpose of perfecting their arrangement
Their deliberations resulted in the selection of
Lieut.. d. j. Goodwin of the Old Dominion
Guards, to receive the Light Infantry of Wash
ingtOn, in behalf of the Portsmouth companies
the Guards and Riaemen.
The committee arrived at Old Point about
o'clock. An hour and half later the Pow
hatan reached the wharf and was boarded by
the committee. TIE Infantry were drawn up
proceeded to discharge the trust imposed upon
MIN, which he did most ably in an eloquent
address Of some fifteen minutes. Capt. Davis,
of the Light Infantry, responded in appropri
ate terms.
All being ready the Powhatan left the wharf
for Portsmouth, but unfortunately she ran
afoul bar and remained aground for some
three or four hours, and this Occasioned the
delay before alluded to. After repeated efforts
she succeeded in getting off, and arrived at
Portsmouth about o'clock.
Amid loud cheering and the roar of mus
ketry, the guests and committee disembarked
and were received by the battalion with the
usual military honors. The battalion, with
the Washington Light Infantry resting on
their right, then formed on Crawford street,
from whence, after introduction, &c they
proceeded through the principal streets to the
Navy Yard. After visiting the buildings Of
the Yard and the ship of-the line Penusylva-
MIA, the march was resumed, and they pro-
ceeded to the Macon House, where was set
for them dinner prepared in the best style
of that we'll known establishment The ar
raDgementS, which were made under the FL
cient direction of the Commit e for that pur-
hanpiIv into affect op1 tho
whole affair exhibited continued scene of
festive enjoyment In due time the cloth was
removed, and the following proposed and
drunk:
By Captain Kearns, of o. d. Guards The
Washington Light Infantry.
BY Lieut.. Wrenn, of Rinemen When the
city Of Washington is asked for her Jewels, she
points to her daughters when asked for her
defence she points to our guests.
Capt. Davis, of the Washington Light In
fantry, responded to this toast in most happy
manner, and gave:
Captain Scnwarzmar, of tho w ashington
Yeagers
This was received with cheers; after which
Capt. 5 arose, and after making a handsome
acknowledgment of the compliment, offered
the following sentiment:
The Old Dominion Guards and Rifle COm-
pany Of Portsmouth Their unsurpassed hos
pitality will never be forgotten, and on our
return to Washington no air from the band
will please US so well as /" Garry me back to
Ole Virginny Cheers
At this point Of the proceedings Captain
Kcarns, in appropriate terms, called up Lieut.
Goodwin, of the Guards, who delivered an
able address
Capt Davis responded to Lieut. Goodwin,
alluding in the course Of his remarks to Vir
ginia hospitality. The State, he said, was pro
verbal for it, and as he had more than once
partaken of it he could endorse it as genuine
The Captain, in closing his remarks, took Occa-
sion to extend an invitation to the Guards and
Rifemen of Portsmouth to visit their brethren
of Washington
Lieut. Wrenn being loudly called for arose
and In his usual happy style delivered a brief
but pertinent address. He was followed by
+. M. lrOnmOnger, ex-Captain of the Rifemen
Surgeon Hunter, of the Guards, being called
upon for a sentiment offered the following:
The Military of w ashington and Portsmouth:
May they always be distinguished for their
patriotism and hospitality
by Lieut. Curling Of the Rihemeu.-May
the U. ID. Guards and Rihemen ever be as to-
day.
ByO. S. hccinolly of the Guards The Rifle
and y ID. Guards, twin sisters of Portsmouth
number Of other teasts were drank, among
which one by Surgeon McAlpine of the Rifle
men, and one by Major Miles of the Guards,
but we are unable to report them.
The battalion having again formed took up
the lire Of march to Norfolk and after para
ding the principal street there proceeded to
the steamer Powhatan, where at about eight
o'clock, p. m the Guards and Rilemen took
leave of their guests, with three cheers for the
military and three for the ladies of Washing
ton c. NJ T.
The crowded state Of our columns prevents
the publication of the sketch of the speeches
&c prepared BY our attentive correspondent.
Personal.