Litchfield enquirer., 1859-03-24
Correspondence of the N o Picayxne WEDDING oNBoARD A MAN OF WAR.
U. s. SHIP SARATOGA, } VERA CRUZ. Feb. q. (

| U. s. SHIP SARATOGA, } VERA CRCz. Feb. q. Eetes. fleet dinners, theatricals, balls, par tiessand receptions have often seen on board national ships, and they are generally striking ly beautiful, from the very oddity of the 1 thing, and the unusual combination of flags, cannon, uniform, &c., which all contribute to the brllllancy of 8 military spectacle, above any simple civic event, however beautifully got up and arranged, under the most favora- ble circumstances, on shore ;-but have nev- CT seen wedding on board ship until few days since, on board this ship, and certainly more imposing pageant in its every stage and aspect l never witnessed.
 A merchant in Vera Cruz, Mir. Dewhurst, and the father of an American lady, Mr. Markoe, also an American merchant, and resi- dent of this city, solicited permission from Captain Turner, commanding the Saratoga, to solemnze the nuptials of Mir. Dewhurst and Miss Markoe, under the American flag, on board the Saratoga.
 The captain readily gave his consent and upon communicating the application of the parties to his officers, they determined, in common concert, to make the occasion hand some one. The flags of the different nations "AooS ASPiSoOHVNOifSo NCIC IO UC pICScitt, WCEC intertwined with each other iu the most con- splcuous places forward and aft the mainmast, the miZzen mast and the capstan were wrap ped in Joseph's coat of brilliant, variegated colors; the sides were curtained by flags gracefully draped and fcstooned to the deck, while the polished surface of six sixty-eight shell guns protruded their heavy brooches some few feet upon the deck, rehecting almost like mirror the corruscations of arms and tinsel of uniforms and furnished blades para ded on the quarter deck of a ship of war.
 An arras ceiling, made of different ensigns and flags, was fitted to the under surface of the awnings above, somewhat arabesque, in it's effect, so that above, forward and aft and on either side, it was one display of pcnnons of brilliant coors, softened, yet frightened, by the rays of she sun which descended upon it, and which gave to the whole mellow twi- light shade, most becoming to the picture at large, and not unlike the effect that is produ- ced by looking through stained glass.
 The offices of the chaplain of the English frigate Tartar had been secured for the occa- sion, and Capt. Dunlop kindly volunteered his baAd of music.
 At half past three the boats of the whole fleet, English, French and Spanish, began to arrive with large parties of officers. As the commanding officers came over the side they were received with full guard, the bands at the same time playing their respective nation al airs, and all the guests being conducted i'm mcdiately to the poop as they passed over the side, constituting, should think, a group of at least 50 officers in fnl uniform
 Everything being ready and the hour at hand, the crew, neatly dressed for the occasion were called to muster. They took up the en- tire port side of the quarter deck. The ma rine guard was drawn up just abaft the main- mast, entirely across the deck from side to side
 The foreign officers were invited to descend from the poop to the quarter deck, and the captain repaired to the cabin to announce to the bride and groom that their presence was necessary to proceed with the ceremony A wide passage was made through the throng of officers to permit them to pass, through which they adva need, accompanied only by the cap tain, who had been requested by the father to give the bride away. As they reached the open space allotted to the ceremony, immedi- ately in front of the company and abaft the marine guard, the guard presented arms and remained at 8 present during the entire ser vice, which was most touchngly and impress svely read by the English chaplain.
 As soon as it was over, the captain reques- ted the English commanding officer to escort the bride to her chair of reception on the poop, and then turning to the crew he said "Give her three hearty cheers, my boys v and such a shout went up at once from our gallant tars as made the wekin ring again. and every one felt that it came from their very hearts. At the same moment the first lieutenant fired salvo of cannon by divisions, and the band played "" Hail Columbia" H
 The crowd of officers again repaired to the poop to offer their congra tulations, and then to the festive board to quaff in bumpers full to the long and happy life of groom and bride. The afternoon passed away in one continued scene of revelry and merriment, champagne and wine flowing like water, whilst the crew spliced the main brace at the bulls, (grog tub
 The evident delight and qualification of ev- cry one at the novelty and beauty of the scene were conspicuous, and what gratIhed us most was the constant remark from our vlsl- tors, In what beautiful order you have this ship, above and below'
 At snnset the flags were removed and the awnings furled, and once more we felt our selves on the decks of an armed ship. A boat was armed about dusk to convey the bridal party to the city. The crowd of officers feasting below were requested to re- assemble on the poop, the men were ordered to lay aloft a brilliant full moon was shining, and as the boat showed off from the ships side, three deafening cheers were given by ev- cry soul on board, whilst at the same moment blue lights flashed from the forecastle, gang ways and poop, enyeloping the ship in one brilliant spectral blaze, which made her look for the moment a thing less of earth than heaven" Thus passed this gala day, for gala l day it was @