The New York herald., 1862-08-26
: reception OF Captsin Downsy.

Reception OF Captain Downsys
The nremen Of the city turnes out yesterday IL a1d
parade and In great force 10 give an sc 10 the return a
Captain, famiarly Jack Downey, after thirteen m0ntpe
imprisonment In the dungeons Of the South. Not nnce
the First Fire (Eisworth) Zouavesof which regiment
Captain Dswney OF II, most favorte oncers-
left this city their march Washington undsr ths
leadership Of the brave and lansntsd Ellsworth, havo
the nremen turned out in such numbers. Since then,
indeed, no such occasion has called them forth in
all distinctive ndiv duality that which brought them
together yesterday to greet with hearty welcome old
comrade-long mourned among them as dead-who had
gone through the peril or battle and the surings and
pryations Of Q protractod and imprisonment.
Captain Downey commanded Company OF the Ellsworth
Zouaves and always recognized as the commissioned
representative Of the New York hremen among the
gallant band who went forth 70 repel the threatened in
vasisn Of the capital Of the country In April, 1901 A
such. for his sodiery qualities, he, from the hrsS,
stood high in the estimation Of Colonel Ellsworth
than whom was quicker TO distinguish coolneso
and integrity, the two ingredients OF good soldier,
1t was in the disastrous battle Of Bull run Captain
Downey fell, wounaed, into the hands Of the enemy u
the close OF tho fight he received his wound.
up 70 thai moment nc was one Of the leaders ?, sns gas
that regiment upon the overwhelming forces OF the
enemy.
Where foes appeared TO press or friends to fall
He taken about the same time that Colones (now
captured, and like them, since that time he has suf.
fered all the horrors Of Imprisonment He released
at the tme and his fellow prisoners, and now
liberated comrades have had their ovatons deservedy
the Fire Department extended to him an ovation, a1
hearty and as single in its purpose as any ever extended
to man. Captain Downey was also honored by his for-s
comrades OF the Police Department. Of which he was
member at the time OF his enlistment into the Zouavcs
They too turned out IN full force anu Wed tnougn 10
must be said somewhat more grave and dignihed
manner bentted their Office, with tho red shirts In
their heartness of greeting and welcome.
accordance with programme the Wnoo aVallaDl0
force Of remen ad police rendezvoused at the washing
Parade Ground three O'Clock Here they made am
imposing appearance; and, company after company
fled out Of the enclosure they were greeted with moss
vocierous cheering from the multitude there assembled.
IL was after 1--WE before the head Of the column reaches
the foot Of Cortlaud street. This front was not hated
but countermarch being ordered, the Whole iorce py
this manruvre, passed each other, salung line after
limo and company after company, until the 'front.'
on the route to cortlandt street was again
formed the front in the regular procession. An,
immense Of people turned out TO witness the spec
ace always the casc when the red shirts display
themselves in force During the delay Of awaiting tho
arrival of their tried c0mrade ard their now honor
ed guest, the gallant nrcmen formed watzing parties
nishing splendid music, and for time Br adway from
the Park and Cortlandt street to the wharf, was long
line Of dancers The conp d'asl from the top @ or
conceived. Firemen and Zouaves-the former
with their red shirts and helmets, the LATTER
with their gay urbans and loose blue braided Jackets
and la Turk trowsers-mngled together in rapid whhles
all stirred with spirit Of merrimen and enjoyment only
to be called forth when the occasion improvised q II
At quarter to six Captain Downey arrived on th4
by Captain Heme 81 the Eighth Ward Police Of which hS
had been member, and by committee from the I1r4
s me w
with difficulty that way was made for him 70 The car
risge
opposite the Astor House The halt ordered TO en-
able the hremen divide their force-one half marching
the 'front.' the oner following in the rear-tke
carriage Of their guest occupying the centre The march
every sense Of the word Door steps and windows and
balconies were all crowded and from all sides the gallant
Il was at the engine house Of Hose Company No.
"a, in Christopher street, that the procession
was % make is final halt, and l. here he We
psrtment Several houses Hudson street along the line
Of march were illuminated. Those irnmediatey ahut-
ting Christopher street splendidy lighted up
The engine house itself brilliant with light nsides
and the street in front and for distance was as bright
day with light from Chinese lanterns Of various oolr
Flags and banners were there With their inscrption
bis Ss ' Ss &C Capt o,
field Of Bull Run Boys, remember the Fire Departe
ment Of New York will expect US to do our duty day
Other flags bore other notices, words of welcome an
expressive OF the esteem the department entertained fo
the returned captive. One Of these was, "wslcomek
81, over the engine house, appropriately deoora1
with American flags. Here . generous provision wa3
Chief DECKER, behalf Of tho department, Welcomed
Captain Downey amongst them once more.
Mr.. Decker was followed by the the foreman, Ars
Kavanagh.
Captain DowSEr then responded He expressed his aps
probation Of tho kind welcome he had received from thp
Fire and Police Departments Of the city, in both q
which he had served. 1t rccompensed him for all tho
suorngs he had undergone in the cause and which any
ought be proud to undergo in the service OF suc
noble country The sufcrngs, death ITSELF he wa4
anxious to face in the holy and righteous cause
the preservation Of the glorious American Union Apy
plause.)
large party assembled in the reception room, where
ample justice done the good things there provided.
Here Captain Bowncy was surrounded by old friends,
who had much to talk about It late when he leti
He from thence escorted to the St. Nicholas Hotep
where apartments have been prepared for him. r.