The New York herald., 1865-04-13
FORT SUMTER ANNIVERSARY.

Great Patriotic Gathering at tho Acade-
my OF Music-MusicaI and Oratorical
Programme-The Flag OF Sumter
Pocm-The Past, Present and Future
OF the Country-Great Enthusiasm, &c.
Yesterday evening the Academy Of Music was well
led by very Interested and appreciative audience,
the of the celebration of the anniversary Of the
siege of Fort Sumter The excrciseswhich consisted
OF q musical treat, oration and poem-werc given
for the benefit Of the orphan children of volunteers
The programme satisfactorily fulfilled GTafua
and his splendid band Of performers having
been engaged for the occasion. The proceedings
were opened with prayer, previous TO which
the overture TO William Tell beautifully
given. The other portions of the musical part of tho
programme consisted OF selections from Erncni, the
Raopln de Ia Gloria and national airs oil OF which
rendered with the usual excellence of the famous band
Of musicians Of which Mr.. Grafua is the head Tie
suit have been gratifying to the projectors Of
thsannlversary gathering last evening The proceedings
wero presided by Major General Peck commanding
the department in the absence of General Dix at Fort
Sumter who made very neat and appropriate speech,
short and sodlery short sharp and decisive as his
actions IN the neld Tho oraton was delivered by r
Shafer-teing and eloqucnt--and which frequently
eicsed the applause Of the assemblage.
GENERAL PECK's OPENING REMARKS.
General PECK reviewed the circumstances Of tho carly
commencing Of the war In April General Beauregard
having fred Fort sumter, then garrisonsl by General
Anderson and a handful of men, a teYr bic bonhnfd-
ment followed for two d1ys, when General Ander-
and his brave associates surrendered and
abandoned the fallen fort, with flags flying ana
drums beating II supposed that the first gun thoro
fired would have stirred the Southern heart but the
quei showed that II the great Northern hear; that
hred and now after four Of bloody and elont
less war; through the navy and the army and the heruu
lean blows OF Grant Sherman, FarTagut (appaus and
others the dawn OF IA before W, and before the
4 Of July next honorable permanent peace viii
be proclaimed. (Applausc) At this moment the flag Of
Sumter, which lately lowered In the DUST neral
Anderson Is at Fort Sumter 20 restore. Great ap
pause The speaker referred TO his companonshp with
General Anderson In the Mexican war when the latter
that occasion, and ho frequent correspondence
with him when he was in hourly expectation Of being
besegcd In that great fortress Writing 70 him General
Peck occasion during those days General
Anderson sad:-''The dark clouds still hang over
beloved country; but do not yet despair but hope and
pray that pacific and wise counscs may prevail daily
hope that God will, and God only now, avert
civil l shall continue to do all l 10
preserve peace" Applause) General Anderson, though
traitor !. ON any account Like Henry Clay whose
anniversary Is being celebrated To- night General Ander
son was Kentucksn; but, like that great statesman
and patriot he loved his whole country than Ken
lucky (Applausel Now however, through the
tories OF Grant and Sherman they may hope for peace
and that the North and South will be bound
together In the bonds OF union and brothery love- Jap
plaunc
IN sharer was then introduced by the Chairman and
deliver an address appropriate to the occasion.
The vas then music by the band, after which tho
party dismissed with the benedction, the baud play
Ing the '~.ar Spangled Banner" as the asssIn5laee
dispersed.