, 1864-03-09
WhSHIEGTOK'S BIRTHDAY At
FICKSBURG.
A Glimpse at Soe2nt Iffc-Tflc Seeesh
Join In the Celebragfon-A PIeaAnnt
Occasion.

-. ,,T,cKpnrKo, Miea, Feb. Fl, 1914. -
The celebration Of this important day In
the cnnals Of our conntry's history, was be-
gun by the national salute Of thirty -four guns
ut Gyb5enk. These echoing among the hills
doubtless reminded the inhabitants or thig-
place OF an anniversary which occurred last
summer, when our glorious old hag resumed
lis 1tghtfll place over the "Hfl1 City, The
morning was as pleasant as morn could be,
for our cold weather seems to have passed
away, and yet, the genial warmth Of the at
moEphc1o could not compare itself to the
warmer feeling which the rcmcmbranceGf
the "Fnther of his country" caused in our
hcarte. We now appreciate, {after seeing for
ourselves what d nntion's troubles arc,) the
devotion Of that noble man 10 Ills nativeland
when in IN hour Of peril.
About . o'clock d. M, the troops Of the
LIST division, 17th army corps, md the colorcd
troops Of Gen. Hawkins command, turned
Iout under arms, md after marching through
lie principal streets Of the city, passed in
review by the Court House. They were re-
viewed by Brig Generals Macarthur and
Bra, man. of Illinois. The troops, after pass
Ing review, returned and formed en- mass: in
front Of the Court House, and utter listening
to tho Farewell Ad dress Of Washington"
very ably read, responded heartily to three
cheers" called for by Gen. McArthurs, "for
Washington and that dear old dag." Cheers
Ttrc also given for Gen erals Macarthur and
Brayman, and the Commander Of the 1st d.
vlefor, Brig. Gen. E. S. Dennis, who, though
too unwen to participate in tho review, was
present on the speakers platform
:. The troops were then addressed by Gen.
Braynan, who was listened TO with tho most
Silent attention. He was followed by Capt.
Davis, a. D. 9. to Gen. Legggct, whose soul
stirring remarks infused enthusiasm into all
present, and loud were tho cheers that fullw-
ed, given by both White and black. The dar-
kicE, of course cheered bofsterously, for they
too have nm interest in tho Birthday Of Wash
ineto1. No longer shacklcd aud fettcred, as
cbattcle. and cold to the highest bidder; igno-
polanL almost Of the fact that there ever was
d Washington; to-day. they stand shoulder to
shoulder With The sturdy sons Of the North,
urder the same flag, wearing the same uni
form, fighting for the same noble cause, and
celebrating the same events.
salute Of artillery YVES then fired, and the
troops marched to their respective camps.
One pleasant feature in tho assemblaEe was
the presence of large number Of ladies,
Northern and Southern, who, seated on the
balconies and ut the windows Of the Court
Houfc and tic adjacent buildings, added, by
their presence, to the hilarity OF the OCCASION.
We noticed several handsome faces whom we
have seen in Chicago aud other cities of tho
North, now here driving AWAY the tedious
honrs Of garrison life by pleasant smiles and
cheering words
The gratitude Of the soldiers to the pa.rl-
etic ladies Of the North, is a feeling easier
Imagined or felt than described, and could
those energetic and noble.mfnded ones Of
Chicago hear the comments of the boys In
the field upon their labors, not only for tho
sick and wounded who may pass through
your city, but for those who are 'taway down
South In Dixie" they would feel new in
ctntiye TO urge them on in the good work in
which they are now 50 assiduoualy engaged.
In the evening grind bali was given In
the srncious "halls Of Justice" tie large
court room, and us we entered we were al
most surprised at the elegant conconrse OF
brave men and ladies' fair. Tie room was
brilliantly lighted, and WIS decorated by
Lumber Of very appropriate portrnits drapcd
u the Stars and Stripes. Conspicuous was
wall, md looking down henignantly on tic
gay asscmblnge. On Ills right was the states
man and scholar, Webster and on the left
Old Hickory looked as heroic and firm as
tver. Lafayette and others were placed In
different parts Of the room. Stars shone
as light feet trlppcd gaily through quadrillc,
or moved gracefully in the waltz or schottisch,
all seemed merry as the marriage bell''
Wine and Wit flowed freely and although
many o. 1Hc 4edle6 were daughters OF the
sunny South, prejudices were laid aside and
NIL together celebrated the anniversary with
the utmost cordially and good feeling: Time
passed so pleasantly that the ,c<e <n1.t' hours
were intruded upon, aud part Of the Esd was
used to make the 2od longer.
During this time the soldiers were not
idle: The Vickshug Union Literary Asso-
citation was not to ba 1istanced by any in
contributing to the happiness and general
harmony Of the occasion.
A public entertainment was given br the
Society to keep up the spirit Of the fun, and
VIC noticed quite number Of ladies' Ia at
tendance. The exercises Of tho evening were
short, patriotic speeches BY members Of the
Association; singing by d Glcc Club; and
the reading of Magazine, composed Of CON
t1ibutions from soldiels' pens. Some of the
articles were very spicy aud exhibited much
deep thought, and it was sprinkled with
some very witty pieces. The meeting was
held in the Presbyterian Church, which was
filed almost to overtlowing.
Great qufetness prevailcd during the day,
perhaps owing to ajudicious order Issued bY
the Pot Commander General McArthur)
closing all saloons and allowing no liquor to
be sold Or s5rsn cray, from +. IN. on the