Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-11
THE CITY.

the United States forces occupying the city
These troops comprised the Third Division of the
Twenty fourth Army Corps, Army Of the James,
commanded by Major General Godfrey Weitzel, in
the absence of General Ord. The troops were IN
der the immediate command of Brigadier Gere raj
Charles Devens. The review was appointed for
o'clock, on east Main street, the left Of To col
UNI to rest on the outskirts of the city, and the
right westward towards the heart Of the ;ty.
By the hour of noon hundreds Of the citizens,
male aud female, had taken favorable poSito rs,
from which view of the military spectacle could
be obtained, and the windows and doors for more
than a mile along Main street were crowded with
spectators, who watched with interest the man0eu-
vres of the different regiments, batteries aud
squadrons as they appeared, wheeled into line, and
took up their positions, until the line far as eye
could see, shone in the sun glIttering hedge OF
bayonets. Gay banners and bands interpreted the
lines at intervals, and couriers went and came,
rying orders and keeping both wings il cOmmuni-
cation. An hour beyond the time appointed passed,
and yet Brigadier General Devens aud staff, who
was to first review the troops, had not made his
appearance. Finally, a flourish of trunpets an
nounced his approach, and the General, with
LuOuubSu appeal L45 ose4t oPCt N"~H-
ed the line from the left, the mounted band on the
extreme right striking up "Hal to the CAief, who
in triumph advances" During the performance Of
this air, General Devens and staff rode down the
right, but made a detour through 18th and Cary
street. and rode rapidly to the extreme LEFT Of the
hne on the outskirts. From this point the review
was accomplished, the General and staff gaIloping
from left to right, the line coming TO a present
arms as he passed, aud the bands striking up
Gen. Devens alone carried his hat in his hand, and
this distinction caused him to be easily recogu lied
by the citizens. At points on the line he was
heartily cheered by the troops.
The review ended the line wheeled in marching
order, and moved in the following order: Brig
Gen. Chas. DeVens and staff; mounted band squad
ron of cavalry; company of sappers AID miners
company of sharpshooters; llSth New York In
fantry s6th New York 9th Vermont; 5th Mary
land Sth Connecticut; 10th New Hampshire; 18th
New Hampshire Sd New Hampshire; 5Sth Penn
sylvania; 43d Massachusetts, lSsth Pennsylvania
2lst Connecticut; 18th New Hampshire; 2osh
Pennsylvania; 139th New York; 18th Wis
consin 18th Connecticut; 9Sth New York; 24;h
Massachusetts,. All of these regiments were pre-
cedcd by full bands, or drum corps, and carried
beautiful new flags, embazoned with the names of
many historical battle fields. Occasionally an old
flag, tattered and torn into shreds foated along the
line. Next to the infantry came Battery F, 5th Q.
S. Regulars Third U. S. Battery First Rhode
Island Battery; Third New York Battery; Fourth
Wisconsin Battery.
The Division numbered upwards Of twelve thou
sand men of all arms.
The route was up Main to l4th street, up l4th to
Franklin, up Franklin to Governor, up Governor to
18th, along 18th to Marshall. At this point, in the
JEFF. Davis mansion, are located the headquarters
of Major General Godfrey Weitzel and the Gene
raj, with his staff splendidly mounted, drawn up
in front Of the man sion, reviewed the troops as
they de6led past in measured marching order
Major General Rautz, of whom the people Of Rich
mond have heard so much as a famous rider of raids
appeared in the galaxy of officers forming General
Weitzeps staff. He is a fine looking officer, black
hair, eyes and whiskers, mild looking and not the
monster the Confederate press have always painted
him. After the review at this point, the troops
continued their match in fine style out Marshall
street 20 the suburbs, returning bv way of Broad
to Capitol street, to the point Of dismissa! Ga
Main street by the same route along which tie
march was first taken up, where the troops were
dismissed.
Long accustomed as Confederate eyes have been
to the once all-pervading grey we do not believe
that the sudden substitution of blue as the prevail
ing color is dstasteul to many our citizens thou
sands of whom looked on the military spectacle of
Saturday, not as the display Of proves on the part
of a triumphant foe, but as exhibition Of the
military genius and of the Uaited States,
which all can again conte mplate with pride.
Mono of the colored troops appeared on review
or parade on the occasion, but separate display
of them will probably take place before long
One feature Of the display vas evident to every
observer, and that the superior driH' morale
and discipline manifested by the men in their
marching and sosierly bearing; the perfect condl-