Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-07-02
ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
Battle Of NSonlnouth.

This memorable event, the anniversary Of
which took place on Sunday last, prevented
our citizens generally from engaging in it by
any very public Demonstration, and yet it must
have aroused rare interest In every patriot
and christian heart, occurring thus on the
sabbath the very day on which that terrible
but important battle was fought Having
learned, seine weeks ago, that two of the mill
tary companies OF cur Couuty--the Monmouth
Guards, under the command of Capt. Conine,
and the Monmouth Blues, commanded by
Capt. j. R. Patterson, would visit the old
Eennent Church on that day, (under the
charge of Colonies Truck and Patterson) and
attend the morning service there--we were
induced with many Others, in reverence to
that spot and this particular occasion, to join
the solemn procession from our village
These companies, in full uniform were con-
veyed in carriages to within few rods of the
ground, where they formed in line and marched
in silent dignity, to the tap of the muffled
drum, up the south avenue, and were drawn
up in double column, directly in front of the
Church. The scene around was imposingy
grand. Nature was robed in her lovliest at
tire, and that old Church, standing amid city
of the dead, surrounded by numerous relics of
the revolution; even her seats holding the
blood-stains of the slain victims of that mo-
mentuous struggle; the plank of her middle
isle closing over the ashes of that great apos-
tolic minister, VIM. Tennent, and her front and
rear looking out on tombs and towering mon
uments of many other departed shepherds of
the flock and other dear kindred friends, all
sleeping silently and peacefully together, called
ferth profusion of the most reyerential and
sacred associations ever before realized.
e. L. Cowart, ESQ.,, one of the trustees, Ito
whom we are indebted for the privilege of pub
fishing the following articlesD then advanced
in front of the military and addressed them in
substance as follows
CITIZEN SOLDIERS You having communi-
Gated to US a short time ago, through your
commanding officers, desire to visit these
hallowed scenes on this occasion, (being the
anniversary Of the Battle of Monmouth and
feeling confident from the knowledge we have
of the honor and moral dignity of yourselves
and officers, that you would do nothing incon-
sistent with the harmony and sanctity of this
day, agreed to accept your proposition De-
string, therefore, to make all things as consis-
tent and interesting as possible, we made con-
siderable effort to procure a speaker who would
add an imposing sacredress, and interest to
the occasion. A number were named, but it
was finally agreed to invite the Rev. Luther
Halsey, as combining the modest, unassuming
christian with the true patriot and orator.
We accordingly addressed him on the subject,
but unfortunately found him some hundreds
of miles from homie
His lady, the only daughter of Col. Gard
ner, who, with the father of Mr.. Halsey, were
active officers throughout the revolution, land
particularly at the battle of Monmouth re-
piled to US in behalf of her husband, in a let
ter so beautifully written, and the composition
so wildly patriotic and christian-like, that we
cannot refrain giving it to you.
BLOOMING GRovE, Orange Co N. Y,
Juie 10Th, 1857.
Mr.. E. L. CowART--
Dear Sir Il have this moment received your let
Ter of the 18th inst addressed to my husband on the