Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-03-02
From tie Richmond Wing, Feb. asl


i.aucucatoa of The Equestrian Sfot"c Of Wash
;,m;,p-t;,aad Ce',6roton- STATE Dianer and
.Seghc<- illumination Of NE CITY - ErIii"~
| B"Ns, Etc.
| w. published, in Yesterdays paper, the eloquent
ors,iou deve,ei by Senator Hunter, Monday lasf,
the length OF which prevented us from inserting II,
the same issue, Il detailed account OF The ceremonial
| of which it distinguishing ieaiure. Our read
er. far and near know that the occason which call
ed forth THE display of eloqnence. wa. the inaugu
ration OF CrGwiords equestrian s:sias ct Washing
| ton.
Immediately after the arrival Of that sublime etigy,
| ii the port OF Richmond, spontaneous deare WAS
experienced throughout the State 10 naugurae it on
The anniversary of the birth day Of the isustrious
| prototype. The patriotism OF our people and the'r
venera'iOn for the great name OF Washington was re.
kindled to an en husastc degree by the safe arrival
| y. the sta,ue Their ardor manifested itself by the
unaumity and cordially with which tho citizens OF
| Richmond removed the box containing the statue,
from the wharf upon which it was landed to the Capi'
| tol Square.
| Ths State authorities, in the iuiment Of the pub
lie wish, adopted measures to celebrate the inaugu.
ration of the statue on a scale Of mngniiicence never
before attempted in Virginia The arrangements
concerted by them excited great interest throughout
the State aud in other States, producing an un!ver-
gal desire the part OF the czena OF our own
Commonwealth to be present on the brilliant occa'
sion. For week beforehand, visitors began 10 ar
rive in large numbers and on the two days preceding
the 22d, crowds Of ladies and gentlemen poured in
from all directions. The hotels and boarding houses
were filled to OVERCOMING and in nearly every pri
vate dwelling one or more strangers were entertain
ed. There could not have been ess than fifty thou.
sand in the city
Itmay be proper to remark. here, that every effort
made by the citizens of Richmond 10 provide nc.
Communications for the multitude who were expected
and came. Committees were appointed to direct
| strangers TO lodgings aud notice was published IN
every paper in the city, for several days requesting
strangers to call upon the committee at the points i'll
dcated in the advertisement. But, owing to the
general buslle and the oversight of this important
notice. the committees did not enjoy the privilege OF
performing their agreeable duty. The strangers did
not call upon them, or at least, very few did. tits
due to Mr.. Ben. K. Richardson that we should state
that he waited for some length OF Time at the place OF
| reception, in Madison Ward, on Sunday afternoon,
and prepared to direct strangers to comfortable
quarters butt failing to receive applications, he pro.
ceeded to the Exchange Hotel, and made every pro
per effort to distribute the directing tickets to those
who might desire them.
THE MILITARY.
The anticipated presence OF large body OF Volun.
teer companies, FROM other cItles, constituted the
leading attraction with thousands OF persons who
were induced to visit Richmond on the 22d instant.
There had been previous instance in the history OF
the State, in which 80 many military organizations
had assembled to unite in patriotic ce!ebrationand
az similar gathering not likely to occur again
during this century, everybody i'll this part OF the
Union, who acknowledges admiration for the
"pomp and circumstance" of military pageant, was
anxious to witness so rare and extraordinary dis
play. The following companies from abroad visited
| the city,
Baltimorc.-Ba Baltimore City Guard.
| Washington CKy.-Washington Light Infantry,
| and Washington Yagers.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Vernon Guards and Alexan-
dria Rifemen.
Charlotesrile-Montice Guard.
Lcrington.-Cadets Of the Virginia Military lnst-
| tute.
Cumberland Coanty.-The Cumberland Troop.
Petersburg.-Grays, Artillery, City Guard and
| Light Infantry Guard.
Noriok-Light Artillery Blues, Norfolk Juniors and
| Grays.
Portsmouth-Rifes, Old Dominion Guard Dismal
Swamp Rangers, National Grays, Union Guards
Marion Rifles, Light Artillery, and Cadets.
These, with the Henrico Light Dragoons, make ~
companies from places beyond the limits oil Rich.
mond. The III companies OF this city including the
Public Guard. make the whole number which con-
siituted the military column, 34-ruly an unparalle
ed display in the history of Richmond. We regret
that did not have the pleasure OF seeing the new
company THE "City Guard W in the procession on
Monday. Several Of the visiting companies brought
splendid bands with Neutrality-suspicious. among which
was the Independent Blues Band of Baltimore ac-
companying the 'Guard" of that city. We dsolsim
any invidous discrimination in further saying that
Capt. Warner company was the cynosnre OF the CO..
| lunn. Officers and men alike seemed Ss 1t they had
been picked out from among the citizens Of Baltimore
on account OF their good looks and martial bearing
There was however not company in the line which
did not challenge admiration on account OF the gene.
raj fine appearance OF the men composing II, and the
perfection of their drill.
| THE PREPARATIONS, ETC.
The day was ushered in by salute Of thirteen guns
fred at the hour of sunrise, By detachment OF the
Faye,te Artillery. AT o'clock the various compa-
MES and civic associations commenced to take up the
line of march for the points respectively indicated TO
them by the Chief Marshal, Maj. Gen. Taaterro, and
as the day advanced, the people, from all directions,
aocked TO the Capitol Square, and TO the streets
through which the procession would pass. Every
balcony and window soon occupied by eager spec.
ts,crs the large majority OF whom ladies and
children. The sidewalks were also hronged by crowds
of persons OF both sexes and - ages patiently await
ing the approach of the great pageant, and exposed
meanwhile, TO the nclemency OF the weather. Neither
personal discomfort, the fear Of doctors bills could
subdus the patriotism Of the popu!ace, dispe their
unsatistied curiosity. Delicate women and tender
children, rs we'll as robust men, content TO run
the risk of sickness and trust to Providence, rather
than "miss the sight.
The public houses on the line Of the procession
generally decorated with 4gs, sresmers, evergreens
etc. The Theatre was especially point Of attrac'
ton, in this respect The facade OF the building was
| ornamented with transparency representing Wash
ingtou, and by other devices evncing the patriotism
and taste Of Messrs. kunkle and Monkey. The front
of "Schad's Hall" on Broad street, was decorated
with representation Of the equestrian statue Of
| Washington, painted on transparent canvass, with
| yellow chrome. in limitation Of bronze. An ever
green estoon stretched the street. at this point
with the initials &C. W." depending from the centre
The stars and stripes 6oaed in the breeZe from all the
public buildings and hotels and from several private
dwellings. Across Main street. at its intersection with
18th street. the national flag suspended With the
inscription-Ths Richmond Blues invite all visiting
volunteers TO their Armory. We could not enumer.
ate all these evidences OF ndklona patriotism, anu
must therefore pass on
Some portion of the mud in the streets and on the
sidewalks had been removed by the ladies skirts in
their transit from place to place, but enough remain.
ed to Justify feeling Of sympathy for the soldiers and
others in the procession who had TO tramp through the
mire and slush.
THE PROCESSION.
The procession the great feature OF the cele.
bration in the popular estimation. The programme
specified ten o'clock the hour for the head of the
column to start from 2lst street, in the lower part Of
the city, but the line OF march not taken up until
about an hour later.
The Chief Marshal, Major General VIM. B. Talia.
ferro, of Gloucester county, trecenty elected by the
Legislature as the successor Of Major General y. b.
Harve, deceased) rode az the head of the procession
on spirited charger, richly caparisoned. lie was
followed by hs staff, composed of eight fine looking
officers, similery mounted AS this group advanced,
the crowds the side wake rent the air with Shouts
and the ladies at the windows waved their kerchies
with encouraging approval of the pageant. These
demonstrations were continued until the whole pro-
cession had passed.
different companies and associations which made up
the procession. The arrangements prescribed in the
published programme were, for the most part, ad-
hered to. The Lexington Cadets led the van OF the
military column, and attracted that attention which
they will ever receive when they visit Richmond AT
the corner of Main and 12fh streets, beautiful floral
wreath was thrown to the Cadets by Misa Mary
t"Blue") Allen, daughter OF Mr.. Russell w. Allen
Following the Cadets were tho Public Guard, Capt
Dmmock, with the Arlnory Band, in advance, dis
coursng an inspiring quickstep. Next in order fol-
lowed the several companies Of Richmond, conpo
sing the fret regiment of Virginia volunteers Lieut..
Col. X. NJ. Cary commanded this battalion"
The Washington Yeagers, Capt. G.. a. Scwartzman,
and the Washington Light Iniantry, Captain D. l..
Davis, came next. Both companies greatly ad-
mred for the manly appearance of their respective
personnel. The leagers were preceded by section
of pioneers, OF most formidable aspect.
The Petersburg Grays Capt. j. V. Scott, was the