The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-17
Gala Day In the Rebel Army Mt Centre
willie.

BATTLE FLAGS GEN. VAN DORN-THE BLES
SING OF THE BANNERs-A GRAND REVIEW
SPEECHES BY COL. JORDAN, BEAUREGATD
AND THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES AND BEAU
REGARD. &c.
From the Richmond Enquirer.
The brilliant military display of yester-
terday, shone out in stirring contrast against
the leaden colored sky, which had overriding
the camps near Centreville for several con-
secutive days. Tis seldom we have gala
day. Camp life, in the Amy of the Poto-
mac, is without romance and one gets so
used to reveille," troll calls and "tat-
too" that field day, such as that l wit
messed on Monday, was the next best thing
to fight. The ceremony was novel one;
arms we're FURNISHED, guns polished and
caissons subjected to a scrupulOus scrub
bling. Generals with stars" on richly
caparison d horses, galloped from point to
point, and as the hour grew near, column
after column could be seen crossing Nc
Leans Ford, on Bull run, and wheeling
into line in the " Old Fields, on the south.
west side.
Riding over, soon after breakfast, to Gen.
eral Van Dorns quarters. met for the
first time this youthful looking field marshal.
The General is rather under sized, of q spare
frame, erect and graceful in bis movements
his mustache is long but light; otherwise he
is closely shaven, which is one cause of bis
youthful appearance. His uniform was a
gray tunic, with buff collar and cuffs, heavy
gold braiding on the sleeves, and three stars
o. each side of the collar, the one in the
centre the largest, as he drew on bis buck-
skin gauntets, caught sight of cross
embroidered thereon, in scarlet silk an an
CENT symbol of rank. Business despatched,
took leave, mounted my horse, and joined
in the general movement towards the rem
devious, where the strange ceremony was
to be soemnized of presenting battle flags
to dozen regiments. Think of England
preparing for battle without the Red
Cross OF st. George" or France subtituting
any standard for the Trcolor, and then
judge how singular the making up of new
flag to take the place OF the one recently
adopted by oar Congress. Ask the reason
OF this ncOnsistency-y0u have it in the
language of General Beauregard, who re.
Gently stated that be never wished to see
the Stars and Bars on another battle field"
The General is right be wants to know,
by the colors, what column approaches !;
and this, it may be added, is next to impOs.
sible, with the Confederate and United
States flags SO similar in design and color.
At twelve o'clock salute OF fifteen guns
announced the arrival of the generals. The
division line had been formed, and extended
for nearly half mile-Benhams South
Carolina brigade on the right, Rhodes in
the centre, and Early's on the lett. Kem-
per's battery was near this point Oh the hill
side. First in order was the re. lew. Gen
eral Johnston, General Beauregard, and
General Van Dorm, with their Adjutants,
70 abreast, followed by numerous and
splendid staff. In this order they passed up
and down the line, the band playing spirit
ed airs. On arriving at the right OF tie
division, General Van Dorm assumed com.
mand, and at once prepared to march in
review in front of the generals, who had
taken up commanding position near the
centre. The column in motion presented an
imposing display--the ground was rolling,
and as the solid mass of bayonets would
glisten above the hilltop, the scene was re-
ally very inspiring. Alter passing, each
brigade closed column in mass, and formed
three sides of square, the open space be-
ing occupied by the general and their cor
tege. An impromptu stand was soon fur
nished by caisson from Kemper's battery,
from which the Rev +. Smulders, the
Catholic chaplain of one of the Louisiana
regiments, took his stand, and in a fervent
manner blessed the banner 6" with the South.
ern cross" and afterwards addressed the
troops. during this impressive ceremony,
every head was uncovered and every voice
hushed.
! Colonel Jordan, Adjutant General OF the
First corps of the Army Of the Potomac,
then rode forward and made an appropriate
address, accompanied by Generals Johns
ton, Van Dorm aud their stats. General
Beauregard then dismounted, and advanc.
lug to the centre of the square, was met by
the Colonies of the severa! regiments aud in
heartfelt utterance delivered to each its sa.
cred trust. all of the officers on receiving
the Southern Cross" made their acknowl
Judgments in patriotic pledges to do their
duty. The bands then played the familiar
! air from the opera of d" | Puritani," to which
music some sou-stirring lines, suggestive
OF the rescue of Maryland, hid been written
by j. Il Randall, young poet of New Or
leans, whose fugitive verses have already
attracted much attention. Printed copies
OF these verses were distributed among the
several regiments. The parade was then
dismissed, and Is large party accompanied
General Van Doru to his quarters, where,
around his hospitable board, the dangers OF
the field were forgotten Tor q time, giving
place to " the feast OF reason and the flow OF
SOUL"
Altogether it was one of tie most i'm
posing military spectacits have ever seen.
have spoken OF Gen. Van Dorn's personal
appearance, and this reminds me that
whenever | see Gen. Beauregard, who, by
the way, is getting little frosted, l am
struck with his look, as OF cue thinking
over some matter of moment b. has MOI
less OF the military air, however, although
he does not look SO entirely military as Gen.
Joe Johnston. noticed the latter, part~
cuiariy, on Monday; his upright positi n,
military beard and mustache. just grizzly
enough to look belligerent: his kept, with
the Stran resting ianntilv IN his heavv nuu