Daily national Republican., 1863-08-29
Second Edition
,.p. o,s.o&. &.AsA q J
AN ELEGANT AFFAIR.
aHraa-sl-. - tzs---sas-a-rssr
Presentation to Gen. Meade.
The Gily IRON the 0Acers sf the
Pennsylvania Reserves.
The Presentation Speech by
Gen. Crawford.
RESPONSE OF GENERAL MEADE
speech Of Gsvsrnsr Csrtis, sf Penn
sylvanis. nH 'a.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS PRESENT.
DESCRIPTION OF THE GIFTS.
TIE Gilg iron the 0Acers sf th<
Pennsylvania Reserves.
The Presentation Speech by
.u Gen. Crawford.
OF GENERAL MEADE.
speech Of GsvsFnsr Csrtis, sf Penn.
sylvanis. nH ,a.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS PRESENT
DESCRIPTION OF THE GIFTS.

DEeCRiPTloN OF THE GIFTS.
Coriespoudsace Of the National Republican.
HEApa'Rs AnnY ov Tnr roTonAs,(
.. August y, 1853. !
Yesterday was ono of the most glorious days
in the history of tho Army Of the Potomac,
whose ofacers were gathered for ceremony Of
more than extraordinary interest. For long
time past We have been looking for the an
nouncoment that the sword being prepared BY
the ofAcsrs Of the First division Of the Fifth
corps, 70 be presented 70 Gen. Meade, was
finished snd ready for use by the gallant son OF
Pennsylvania who wss destined 10 wear and
honor II. Al last Il came-the announcement
and the army was on the qai vivs for the page
ami, In which state they have remainedever since.
At last II was given out that on Thursday, 2ssh
OF August, our expectations and desires would
bs grauaed. Hence many were the anxious
and earnest inquiries relative TO place and the
Accomplishments, and speculation was rife.
"what kind Of an instrument was In prepara-
ton ." "How much did II cost1' "Was IL
as magnificent as such an one ought TO bo for
90 great, able and gallant General, or was II
one of these common gilt afIsirs gotten up 10
be prete1t for the blowing OF of the pent-up
gases Of . few military politicians or . few
political warriors !"
The sword, We were told, was TO be the finest
weapon that the genius Of the sgc and the coun-
try could produce, or money could purchase,
and the attending ceremonies were 70 be gotten
up regardless Of expense or labor, and right
fully has the promise been fulfilled, and l
doubt II weapon was ever made or presented
equal 70 II In all respects.
II was given out, for several days prior 10
Thursday, that the presentation would be made
tho occasion for visit TO the army by His Ex.
cellency President Lincoln and several members
Of his Cabinet, and, indeed, VIC all expected that
Father Abrahsm would, for the nonce, rip him
self oG from his multifsrious and multitu.
diuous duties, long enough 70 visit us; but We
were disappointed, for when the train came
laundering In from Washington 70 Bealton, VIC
learned that the only notables aboard were
Hon. A. g. Curtin and his stan, Gen. NJ. @.
Meigs, q. n. o., snd-s select party Of honors-
blos and notsbies, too numerous for mention,
In detail. will give you few Of the namea,
however. -,
Gov. A. q. Curtin, Of Pa; Gen. A. L. Rus
sell, A. @. Of Pa; Gen. Z. NJ. Biddle, EX-A.
G. Of Pa; DR.. James King, Surg. Gen. Of Pa;
DR.. Green, Asst. Surg. Gen.; Col. W. W. It.
win, Com. Sub. Of Pa; Coils. ]. A. Wright, R.
B. Roberts, H. D. Maxwell, J. II. Puloston, A.
D. C.'s 70 Governor.
OF civilians there were Hon. John Covode,
Col. worrell, Mr.. Fries OF tho Germantown
Telegraph, Mr.. L. A. Cooley Of Godsy's Lady's
Book, and host Of others.
Tho train upon which the party came was
drawn by the iron-clad locomotive \ H. Dsve-
reaux, and was decorated In the most tasty and
beautiful style, with nags, flowers and ever.
greens, by J. H. Smith, master mechanic Of
the U. 8. N. r. r., was handled BY 6ilas n.
Mayo, the conductor; and engineered BY Geo.
Thompson, one Of the most skillful and accom-
plished epgins-drivcrs that ever whis.led . bull
of the track or opened throttle. .,a
The guests and officials left the train at Bsal.
ton Station, and proceeded In ambulances Ia
Gen. Crawford's headquarters whsre the csre
monies were 10 take place, and whore they ar
rived about four O'Clock. Here they were mel
by Major General Meade and Gen. Pleasonton,
who had come up with their respective staff
and escorts all mounted. The officers Of th.
army who had all been invited, Irrespective o.
rank or grade, were soon after crowding Ii,
grounds In the Vicinity, dressed In their com
pletest war toggery, presenting such an srrsy
Of shoulder straps % one does not ofton wit
ness, and which could only DO approached b!
Pennsylvania avenue In the palmiest day.
army indulgence.
The grounds-I wish could tell you wher,
they were and not be accused Of oversteppinL
the regulations about contraband news -
were emblszoned with floral and artiAcia
decorations, In style that would have dom
honor TO the skill and taste Of the dsinties
} fsncies Of rustic and artistic display. In th
: centre Of the ground was large hospital ton
covered with evergreens and lined with nowe,s
carpeted with the greenest sods and fitted witt
} the newest and costlisst furniture, which wa
assigned TO Gen. Meade for his receptions.
To the right Of this was an octsgonsl canva
and evergreen grotto, furnished In the sam
gorgeous style, which was placed at tho dia
I posal of His Excelency the Governor Of Penn
sylvsnia. In front Of Gen. Meade's quarter
was q stand some twenty feet square, orns
mented by trlumphal arch, In the centre Q
I which beautiful decorated eagle was psrchst
having In his claws the scroll In floral letter.
"E. Pluribus Unum," and upon his siths
side silken Dag Of his country. In the re,
;; ; of Gen. Meade's tent was tho spacious dinin
hall, forty by seventy feet, which was boupt
fully provided with the dainties and luIuris
Of the season, TO say nothing Of tho substantial
The entrances 10 the grounds were In kespip
|. with the rest Of the decorations, and wel
marked . monuments 10 the genius Of the
architect, Capt. Anchmuts, A. A. q. 10 Go,
. Crawford. ...
: Among the military notsbles present, bosid
r those who were to figure as principals in tho p
g gsant, noticed Maj Gen. Hsintzlsman, Frcncl
sedgwick, Sykes, Warren, Pieassnton, Newto
snd Humphreys, and Brigsdisr Genera
Meiggs, Ingslls, Crawford, Slough, Taylo
slTyler, Hunt, Grifin, Barnes, Robinson, al
Rice, Colonel McCsllum, Colonel Smaller,