Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-04-05


The demonstration last night-departmental
and popular-in honor Of the capture Of Rich
mond was the most impressive by far that ever
occurred in Washington. The city after night
fall was blaze Of illumination, and the gleam
of fireworks, the crash Of inspiriting music,
and the deeiamations of popular speakers,
added to the inspiriting effect
The War Department building was grandly
four sides from the basement to the BULBS eyes
OF the attics were brilliant with light, while
powerful colored lights in the court served to
bring the building and its rich drapery OF flags
into superb relief. Great taste had been dis
play ed here In the arrangement of the decora-
lions, consisting of the national ensign dis
balconies and wound spirally up the portico
columns, while the various corps ensigns ran
from each side TO eliminating point at the
central flagstaff over the building. In the GEN.
ter was the appropriate motto, The Union: it must
and shall be preserved, beneath which was an
eagle bearing scroll ins cribed with the signif-
cant word "Richmond."
Three fine bandS-the 9th and 2ith Veteran
Reserves and the Finley Hospital band-were
in attendance and furnished admirable music
for the immense throng that filled the streets
through the evening In front OF the War De-
partment. Winder's building and the other
War Department buildings opposite were also
brilliantly illuminated.
The Navy Department made fine dis.
play, and was richly decorated with the ma
tional insignia, attracting much attention. a
prominent feature here was large-sized model
position in one of the windows In the second
Story of the building, Immediately over the
main entrance. The residence OF Secretary
Welles was also handsomely decorated.
The White House, brilliantly lit up, and
with it's surroundings of foliage, afording
pleasing contrast made fitting central feature
of the grand display in this quadrangle OF
public buildings.
The State Department attracted thousands,
not only by its brilliancy and tasteful decora-
tons. but by the felicity Of its notices. Over
the eastern portico were the words, "Peace
and good will to all natiors, bnt no entanglng
alliances, and no foreign intervention" Over
the northern portico were the words, sat home
Union is order, and order is peace Abroad
Union is strength, and strength is peace
l. The Treasury Department was illuminated
throughout, and the ITO windows fronting on
the avenue radiating with twelve lights each,
were dazzling in the extreme. Over the east
erp portico of the building was transparency
Treasury note, over which were the words,
s'U. S. Greenbacks and U. S. Grant-Grant
gives the Greenbacks Metallic Ring"
The residence of Secretary Stanton, on X
street, attrac cted great attention by the magnif
cence Of the display. The brilliant lights in
the windows and halls emblazoned the silken
tasteful decoration while evergreens and
floral adornments gracefully disposed, added
to the exceeding attractiveness OF the display.
Thousands OF spectators were drawn to this
point by the beauty Of the scene.
The bands of Campbell, Mt. Pleasant, Car.
yer and Emory Hospitals consolidated, ac-
serenaded the Secretary Of war about Ii
O'Clock, and ether bands paid him the same
compliment in the course Of the evening.
Secretary Stewards residence on 15k street,
presented beautiful appearance. the Ameri.
can flag being most tastefully displayed st the
windows and doors In front Of the house
adding to the brilliancy Of the effect.
THE heado uarters OF General Halleck was
, '"stafn'iv decora-
brilliantly illuminated auu ::-.--,
nd yxyifh Aro xuaa a. prolDap
headquarters.
The large row OF brick buildings on 14th
street, near New YorK avenue. occupied by
General Augur as his headquarters, Colonel
Ludington, Chief Quartermaster Of the De.
partment Of Washington, and Colonel Ingra-
| ham, Provost Marshal of the defenses north of
the Potomac, was illuminated with nearly
three hundred lights, which lighted up that
portion Of the street magniacently. A large
nag tIoated d from the top Of the building, and
the pavement, discoursed excellent music.
Capt. ID. q. Thomas office, headquarters Of
the clothing depot on 81 street near 18th, at
building being admirably arranged. Every
window was lighted throughout, and the out
side o. the building was arched with ever.
green's. Over the entrance of the building was
number of red, white and blue lamps, and
several transparencies were displayed with
the following notices -" Victory" Consti-
corps colors, and the cavalry and artillery
flags were also displayed
On l4th street, the ofices of the New York
Herald, Times and Tribune and Philadelphia
Inquirer were brilliantly lighted up, the Her.
aid rooms attracting particular attention by its
provisional display OF flags and Chinese Ian
terms.
All of the hospitals within the limits OF the
city Were lighted up and trimmed with flags,
and the inmates were joyous with the display.
The Soldiers Reading Room, on 5th street,
corner of f, was lighted up with 70 lights, and
festooned with flags in a neat and tasteful
manner.
rho nnarters of tho stasno fro hr;roao -,
Pennsylvania avenue, were finely lighted,
and the Government buildings near by were
in keeping with these quarters.
The banking house Of Jay. Cooke and j. Co.,
attracted much attention, every pane OF glass
being brilliantly lighted, and a row of Chinese
lanterns hanging across the front. Over the
door was the following:
The bravery of the Army,
The valor of the Navy,
500 1res.n1a sustained nean by ,ss our f,,,, 20
and substance Of q
patriot people
The banking house Of Riggs & 90, was also
The Capitol attracted large crowd of spec
tators, every window being brilliantly lighted,
as well as the various windows of the dome,
in the tholus OF which there was brilliant
light, which could have been seen long dis
tance. There was also displayed on the dome
q large flag, and on the pediment over the
library was large transparency, bearing the
inscription, "This is the Lords doing; 1t is
marvellous in our eyes"
The National Conservatory, ander the super
intency of Mr.. Smith, near the Capitol, pre-.
sented fine appearance, the interior of the
green houses being thickly studded with lights,
and shining through the glass as seen from the
avenue, 1t had most beautiful appearance.
The office Of Dr. Barns, Surgeon General OF
the army was brilliantly lighted up, and during
the evening the bands of Mt. Pleasant Carver
Campbell and Emory Hospitals played several
airs in front Of it. The officers Of Gen. Augur
and Colonel Ingraham, on 14th street, General
Rucker's, on q street: Gen. Meigs, Quarter
master General; Gen. Hoffman, Commissary
Military Railroads; Capt Brinkenhoff, A. q.
NJ; We're handsomely lighted. At the Marine
Barracks the center house was brilliantly il.
Illuminated, as was also the residence Of the
commandant, Col. Zeilen. The main Office in
the Navy Yard was brilliantly lighted up, as
was also the residence Of the commandant
Commodore Montgomery, and some Of the other
quarters. Gen. Ekin's quarters on H street,
was fine sight
The Old Capitol and Carroll Prisons, both