Blue hen's chicken and commonwealth. (Wilmington, Del.) 18??-186?, 1862-05-28
LErTER FROM nokpERLY.n

FoRT MARSHA, Nh, May 26.
Nh. EDiroR:-Quite an excitement has oc-
Cured here within the last twenty-fo hours
second only to The 18th of April, 81. On
Sunday last, on the arrival of the news from
General Banks's column, that it had been re-
pulsed and driven back, and that the First
Maryland regiment had been cut to pieces.
and Colonel Henley Of Baltimore killed. the
Secesh In Baltimore took heart, and riot en-
sued, III which we learned that three or four
men were shot, and one hanged; the latter
Secesh lawyer by the name OF Daniels; son OF
Commodore Daniels, formerly OF the United
States Navy. An order to Col. Wharton from
ten. Dix arrived about shutdown to have the
regiment prepared to advance at moments
warning. In consequence twenty rounds of
cartridges were served out to each man. and
the arms and accoutrements placed in such
positions as to be reached from where each
one lay in his bunk. The night passed over,
however, without any further disturbance as
far as this regiment was Concerned You, no
doubt, have ere this, received further partic-
ulars of the riot in the city, from the news
papers.
On Thursday last the interesting ceremony
took place OF presenting a sword to Colonel
Wharton, by tue company aud staff officers at
this Fort The sword was manufactured by
Horisman especially for the occasion. There
were two scabbards. all contained in an ele-
giant case lined with crimson silk velvet
The swords and scabbards are magnificent
pieces OF Workmanship, gotten up In Horst
mans most elaborate style. An elegant gold
sword knot and bet. and q splendid pair of
held glasses also accompanied the sword
The whole regiment in holiday attire were
drawn up III line on the occasion; many ladies
were present; the 1ne Brass Band of the reg.
iment played some of its most stirring tunes.
and "all went merry AZ a marriage bell" A
grave dinner by the officers concluded the GER
emonies. You have, ere this, obtained the
account OF the presentation.
cannot help mentioning here, the manner
in which the Delaware regiments have been
oihcered. Not man who spent his time and
and money and influence in getting the repi-
ments made up, has been appointed to reg.
mental office. In not a solitary instance has
-ss-resr4rnt Delawarsan been appointed to these
regiments, save as to tho Colonel of the Third
who Is wholly. and utterly ignorant of the
rudiments of military knowledge, and was ap-
pointed on purely political grounds. don't
mean to say that no Delaware born men have
been appointed to fill these Offices but those
Of the appointees who were born in Delaw are,
had esohewed the State and resided abroad
for years. but when they wanted favor from
us, they returned 10 claim what may Justly
and honestly due her sons, who had spent
their time and money and energies in and
for their native State. Nor can the excns
be made that those sppointees were more
competent; for many of them were utterly |
incompetent, and with asingle exception had |
never had any actual experience in military
matters whatever. But such is the policy Of |
the present dominant party, and this is the |
"Day OF Small Things"
We learn that regimental flag Is soon to |
be presented &c the ID Delaware by some OF |
the good people OF Wilmington. II was fu-
mored here that Hon. Geo. p. Fisher was to
make the presentation speech. At a meeting |
OF the officers to take measuoes to make prep |
araiions for the reception. Some objection |
was made to receiving the flag from MIR. Fish |
sr's hand, whereupon it the vote was on the |
following question: ''Shall the flag be recei- |
we'd by the hand of Geo. p. Fisherf'' Il was |
negatived by large majority. To tell the |
dsagreeable truth, there was but solitary |
officer who spoke in favor of it.
see no prospect of our regiment leaving
here. We have apparently become fixture |
why don't the powers that be send forward |
the Delaware regiments, SO that we may know
the dross from the pure metal;-ws coald |
then very coon ascertain who are competent
othcefs and who are not. ORDERLY.