The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1864-07-06
THE SOLDIERS JOURNAL.
LOCAL AND PERSONAL ITEMS.


commingled with the sullen roar of artillery on
Maryland heights, at early dawn, announced the
advent of the eighty eighth anniversary of our
national independence to the slumbering deni-
zens of our camp, and almost before the rays of
the morning sun had tinged the eastern horizon
everybody was astir, and all seemed to partake
of the inspiration which the sacred associations
of the day create. The morning spent in
quiet preparation for the contemplated ceremo-
MES of the afternoon. At one o'clock, p. M, a
sumptuous repast was served to the men, and at
three they were marched by divisions to the
summit of Aspect Hill, where splendid flag
staff had been raised, and from which the stars
and stripes were to be displayed for the first
time with appropriate ceremonies. The men
were formed by divisions on the right of the
stand, under the direction of their respective
commanders, while the 18th Veteran Reserves,
under the command of Lieut. Colonel Carlysle
Boyd formed the left and in front of the stand.
The post band occupied position at the foot of
the flagstaff. To the beautiful and nymph-like
Miss July* McKelvy, daughter of the post COM
mandant was assigned the duty of raising to it's
place the glorious ensign of our country, and as
it unfolded it's beautiful lines of red and white
to the breeze, and turned it's field, decked
with the thirty -four stars of our national con-
stellation, to the cloudless sky, it's prototype,
SuOuU OIL pdTlOUlC enUIluSltSm arose 1FOu the
assemblage that made the welkin ring.
Maj. Schofeld, Paymaster U. s. A. the orator
of the day, was then introduced to the audience
by Lieut.. Col. McKelvy, and for more than an
hour held them spell-bound by his convincing
and eloquent augmentation and eulogistic
timents. He was succeeded in turn by Mr.. Jones,
of Cincinnatt Ohio, Mr.. Uniac, soldier con-
nected with the post, and Mr. Holly, of -,
the latter of whom in lieu of aspeech, concluded
the ceremonies by reading admirably written
letter, which constituted fitting epologue to
what had been said by the presiding Speakers
The proceedings were interspersed with music
by the band, and characterized throughout by
the most unbounded enthusiasm.
Soon after nightfall the band appeared upon
the stand, and Immediately the heavens
afame with fireworks, the display from''Aspect
of the soldiers assembled at the base of the hilI
the roaring, cracking, and kissing of the fire.
works, as with lurid glare, they coursed their
way through the heavens, and the moving har-
monies of the band, combined to form a scene
and create entertainment inspiring in the
highest degree. After the fireworks had been
expended, large number of ladies and gentle
men assembled in Dining Room No. L, which
had been fitted up in elegant style for the occa-
sion, to enjoy social chop" The interior of
the building being superbly decorated with fes-
toons of evergreens, and draped with flags, when
brilliantly lighted, presented a scene truly en-
chanting while the beautiful and tastefully at
tired ladies of Washington, Alexandria, and the
samp, with their escorts in rich military and
Of American liberty on the same day.