Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-07-07
Fourth of Jul, y.
How it was Celebrated.
IN THE CITY.

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versaIly observed in this city than ever be-
fore in the history of the place. TIE bu-
siness houses were all closed, and the
whole population turned its attention to
being patriotic. The city looked as if it
were wrapped in millions of star spangled
banners and little American flags. Hun
dreds of little flags were displayed from the
windows of single houses, and big banners
meo the eye in all Idirectious.: Every little
crevice in the house walls was made to do
duty as flag holder, and we are sure
there never was such an abundance ofred,
white aud blue bunting, and we doubt it
there ever will be again.
According to the programme the bells of
the city were rung at an early hour in the
morning, and cannon doomed from all
quarters, waking the echoes and the people,
and bringing the world here0bouts to a
sudden sense of its duty on the great and
glorious occasion. The cannon which per-
formed the most active service was the one
captured at Romncy and sent here by Gen.
Kelley. Thus the instrument which has
heretofore been used in moving down our
soldiers was made to speak in thunder tones
in commemoratiUn of the day which gave
us independence and constitutional liberty.
The firemcu of the city paraded early in
the morning, making creditablc display
and gaining much well, l,deserved applause.
The next procession in order was composed
of the German population, including the
Singing Societies and Captain Overs Com
pany, the Provost Guard. This procession
numbered about three hundred, and was
marching through the principal streets the
procession halted in front of the Custom
House, where the Germans were addressed
by Governor Peirpoint and Auditor Crane,
in English, and by-Augustus Pollack in the
German language.
Whilst this WAS going on, the draymen
of the city were parading the principal
streets with their vehicles and horses. The
demonstration OF the drnymen was, by no
means. the least attractive display of the
day, and those who participated deserve
much praise for their good taste aud patri-
otic ardor.
At the invitation of many citizens, ex-
tended the day previous, the 18th Illinois
Cavalry, now encumped on the Island,
came over to the city and rode through the
principal Streets This warlike procession
attracted great interest along its route
This regiment is composed of sturdy West
ern men, many of whom have beea in the
service ever since the rebellion reared its
ugly head to trouble the coIntry's peace,
and are soldiers all over. They are we'll
mounted and we'll equipped, and will do
good service in the field. The cavalry
halted in front OF the Mcclure House, where
they were briefly addressed by Governor
Peirpoiut, who thanked the officers and
men, on behalf of the people, for adding,
by their presence, SO greatly to the interest
of the day. Col! Voss made an appropri-
ate response.
Tue dust in the streets was very unwel-
come to those WHO participated in the
various processionS, Snd the weather be.
ing hot, it is only reG sonable to suppose
that no very great degEee pleasure was
realized.
In the midst of what is noted above and
what will be spoken of below, boys aud
men were firing off jackson crackers by
the hundred and by the thousand until the
air was filled with sharp reports and evil
laiuous saltpetre," and the ground was lit
orally covered with ''busted" crackers and
all sorts of light explosives.
There were many small pic mics in the
country of rather un exclusive character,
one ut Leatherwood bottom two on Chap
lines Hill, another out the Hemp6eld road,
and many others of which we have no nc-
count. The pic mic of the German Singing
Societies at Nj. Cranmer's Orchard, on the
Island was u great success. The party
was we'll supplied with refresh ments, and.
the day was spent in such amnsements us
suggested themselves TO the partlclpators'
The Singing Societies had right jolly
time, and the best of order prevailed,