Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1863-11-26
From the Washington Chronicle, Nov. l3-
THE NUpTIALs OF MISS KATE CHASE AND
EX-GOVERNOR sPRAGUE.


SCENES AND INCIDENTS.
The marriage ceremony between Senator land
Ex- GoverRor) Sprague, of Rhode Island. and
Miss Kate Chase the beautiful and highly &C.
and eldest daughter Of the Hon Sec
rotary Of the Treasury, took place last evening,
at htlf-past eight O'Clock at the residence of the
brides father, corner Of Sixth and Il. Streets
Although the contemplated nuptals have been
the occasional subject of newspaper comment for
some time past yet to the public at large the de-
finite time of the marriage was not announced
until within day or two past.
The invitations to the Wedding were as strictly
private Az it was possible to be in consideration
of the high social position occupied by both the
parties. Yet Notwithstanding this fact, some
five hundred invited guests were assembled at
the mansion of Secretary Chase, between the
hours of hali-past eight and twelve O'clock
The representatives OF the newspaper press, with
one or TWO exceptions, and these personal friends
Of the Senator and Secretary Chase, were on this
occasion, non-recipients of cards Of invitation.
The reputation Of OK Governor Sprpgue, not
alone as executive officer of the State Of - Little
Rhody" and rs a statesman, but as q brave and
gallant soldier, is Worldwide. The part he took
in defence Of the capital in July, 1861, at the
first battle of Bull Run, is known to all our
readers AT this battle he personally command
cd Rhode Island brigade, and behaved with
great gallantry. Subsequent to this he was con-
spcuous as gu officer upon General McClean's
staff, during the Peninsula campaign. Besides
these personal acts OF merit in the field, Senator
Sprague has on numerous occasions Requested II
large proportion Of his immense wealth to the
or ganizing, equipping, aud supporting Of tho
soldiers from his own State, and by his personal
influence and example has up to the present time
encouraged vigorous prosecution of the war.
Miss Kate Chase, the bride Of the distinguish
ed Senator, is q lady possessed of those rare viz
tues of heart and mind, which alone can be re-
cognised and appreciated by those who are daily
thrown in contact with her and it is in the mod
est retirement of her own home that these graces
sparkle and radiate like gems of dazzling SPLEEN
dor. Modest and retiring in her manners, yet
blending wthal dignity and ease that singles
her out to the least obsoryaut eye as woman
endowed with a nobility Of heart, fitting her fol
any position in life, no matter how exalted.
During the day everything had been properly
arranged for the reception of the guests. roll
Of mating had been run from the main entrance
down the steps to the carriage steps. Shortly
after dark large crowd of all sexes, ages, ant
conditions began to assemble around the mansion
OF Secretary Chase. They were very goOd-na-
tured, as large crowds generally are, and waitet
patiently for the arrival Of the first carriage
About "a o'clock it drove up to the door, the &C
cupants alighted and proceeded within. Shortly
another arrived, and then another, and soon
continuous line of carriages ranged along Z
| street, from Seventh street to near Fifth street
As one after another discharged their inmates
some spicy and good natured remarks were pass
cd by the eager crowd in attendance Alucl
anxiety was manifested for the appearance q
President Lincoln and Secretary Seward. Pres
dent Lincoln did not arrive urtil half-past eigh
o'clock. lie came in his private carriage, with
out escort and alone. The carriages were or
ranged all around the square and completely
blockaded the passage way but little or no con
fusion occurred
As We have said before the marriage tool
place at hali-past eight o'clock. AT that hou
the bride and groom entered the room, tooWe
| by the following named ladies and gentleme
acting as bridesmaids ana grOOmsmen; Mis-
Chase, sister to Miss Kate Chase Miss Skinner
niece of the Secretary, and Miss Nichols, nice
of Gov. Sprague; Major II. Baldwin, of Ger
Stahel's staff Capt. Hayes, of Gen. Mcdowell
stat, and Capt Ives, Fleet Captain of the Poto
mac hOtilla.
The parties having ranged themselves at th
head of the room, the marriage ceremony wa
performed by Bishop Clark, Of Rhode Island, i
the chaste, beautiful, aud impressive languag
of the Episcopal faith. Among the five or 81
hundred guests the intensest silence prevailed
and, at the conclusion oil the ceremony, the pa
rents of tho bride stepped forward and salute
her with kiss. Then followed the scenes {
Joyous congratulations incident to such an occa
sion, which promised to occupy the best porto
Of the night before finished.
Miss Chase was dressed in gorgeous whit
velvet dress, with an extended trail, and upo
her head wore q rich lace veil. The Senator wa
Glad in a suit of rich black cloth, with the usui
addition of Il white silk vest.
Among the dignitaries of the evening We NJ
ticel the President, Abraham Lincoln, tOgeth'
with nearly II the members of the Cabinet
Alessrs. Stanton, Bates, aud others. OF the io
eign ministers, there were Present Lord Lyol
and Count Mereier. The British and French /
cations were also well represented. The milit
ry was represented by Major Generals llallec
Anger, Mcdowell, and other officers OF less
note.
Senators Wilson, and Couness, of Californi
we also noticed during the course of the evenin
+ Hon. Simon Cameron and his two daughte
were alike conspicuous among the hosts of que
assembled on the occasion, together with Pres
dent Garrett and VIM. Prescott Smith.
At half past II o'clock the dancing (the Lal
0 cers) commenced in the dining-room Mi
0 Kate Chase led of with Hon. Il. G. Parsor
ex-Consul to Rio Janeiro, as her partner. II
D young and beautiful daughter of Gen. Mellow
. was singled out among the crowd for her We
r fine dancing
Among the bellies of the evening was the daug
q ter of the Brazilian Minister whose beauty "
0 the cynosure Of all eyes,
I. During the evening the Marine band, viii