The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1865-07-29
Cufal Affairs.


came off yesterday. The people got up this
ovation as slight evidence of their appre
citation Of the services rendered the country
by these brave men. Every effort was made
to make it the grandest affair ever witnessed
in the county; and most nobly did those hav.
ing it in charge succeed. The general COM
mittee and the several district committees
were indefatigable in their labors. 1t was
everything that could have been desired
The dinner arrangements were complete,
both in quantity and quality The day was
beautiful one-though very warm the fine
rain on the night previous had laid the dust,
putting the roads and streets in an excellent
condition for driving and marching. The
Chief Marshal, J. S. Crawford, Esq, ar.
ranged the following as the
ORDER OF PROCESSION.
l. Band.
2 Visiting Maryland officers and officers
without commands, clergy and speakers,
mounted or in carriages.
8. Returned soldiers, Col. j. G. Hill in
command.
4. Order of U. A. Mechanics in the order
of their numbers, smallest number on the
right.
s. I. o. Odd Fellows, in the order of their
numbers, smallest number on the right
6. Citizens on foot
7. Citizens mounted.
8. Citizens in carriages
About o'clock in the morning the REQ.
pie commenced to arrive in town, and from
that time till 2 in the afternoon there was
constant stream passing through to the
grove, where the meeting was held. They
came in all kinds of vehicles-carriages
dearborns and wagons, some drawn by fine
horses, and others by those of dilapidated
appearance, and last, though not least, the
ubiquitous army mules; others walked up
right, and with the vigor of youth, while the
aged, in bent form, tottered forth with the
aid of the staff, and misfortune came on
cork legs and on crutches. All with one
one idea-to assist by their presence to honor
the brave men who have saved to us and
our children the liberties and free institu.
tons founded by our ancestors.
The 10. 10 train from Philadelphia brought
Beck's Band from that city and the I'LL
train brought large number of citizens of
the western part of the county, and indie
pendent Council No. 10, 0. U. A. NJ, from
North East. They were met at the depot
by the Good Intent Council No. II, of Elk.
ton, and Cherry Hill Council No. 1s. The
returned soldiers and the Councils were then
marched to the Landing Lane, where they
awaited the arrival of the steamboat from
Port Deposit. She arrived about IL O. clock,
bringing number of persons, among them
some soldiers the Odd Fellows from that
place were expected, bat from some cause
did not come. The Lodge of Chesapeake
City was also expected, but failed to come.
At 12i the line was formed according to
to the programme. Cecil Lodge, No. 80,
o. O. F., of Elkton, taking the fifth posi-,
ton in the line. The procession moved d..
rec.ly up Main street to the Mill Lane, and
turning to the left marched out to the grove.
There were some two hundred soldiers in
line. There would have been many more,
but they did not know the arrangements
which were to be observed. The procession
made very favorable show but nothing in
comparison to what it would have been had
all the vehicles coming in been stopped at
| the west end of the town and compelled to
fall in and those on horseback and on foot,
| who were present when the line was formed,
been in their proper places. However, it
III nnty ,alxn ,nl> L II
it was not intended to set any particular
stress upon the "show' part of it,
The soldiers in the line wore the badge OF
the corps to which they belonged at the time
of their discharge. In these the cross OF
the glorious old Sixth largely preSominated,
while the maltese cross of the Fifth aud the
trifoil Of the Second were sprinkled here
and there. They made fine appearance as
they marched along with their steady tramp,
tramp, tramp and apparent careless air.
Arriving at the grove short rest was
taken, during which tickets to the number
of three hundred were distributed to the
soldiers-that being as many as the tables
would accommodate.
The meeting was then called to order by
appointing Jas. NcCauley, Esq, President
Rev. Mr.. Virgins then made prayer, in
voking the blessing of Heaven upon the sol
diers and people, and giving thanks for the
return of peace. Hon. John A. j. Creswel
was introduced, and made the speech of wei
came to the soldiers on behalf of the people
Mr.. Creswell referred at some length to The
battle of Gettysburg, in which the Ceci
boys bore noble part,-termng it the turn
ing point in the contest which ended so glo
riously for the Union arms at Amelia Cour
House. He also referred to the feelings o
gladness with which the news of the victor,
gained at that battle was received here or
the evening of the 4th of July, 1868, just a.
the people were closing their celebration o
that day. He vindicated the Army of thu
Potomac from all the disparagements which
have been attempted to be cast upon it
claiming that it was the representative army
of the war; that in the beginning it was un
fortunate because it was badly Differed
badly managed, and badly equipped blu
that it had always borne up bravely its ad
7erses that it had all the time been pittec
against the best officers of the South, and the
very flower of the Rebel army and though
\, mould n ~ dotra IT ono iota froyn tho plor,