The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-09-25
ssse-1-s...s.5. -
A Splendid Torch Light Procession.
More than 1900 Torches AgIOw
100 FRANsPARENCIEs AND BANNERS
,<------} 51
TRIUMPHAL PROCESSION
MAGNIFICENT MUSIC.
UnbOunded Enthusiasm.
TERRIBLE RAIN AND FLOOD.
-F,rf A 3fd
The Boys Stood Fire---They Stand
Water.
ta EsfF - t4ats -s.-
Unbounded Enthusiasm.
TERRIBLE RAIN AND FLOOD
The Boys Stood Fire---They Stand
Water.
THE WEATHER

THE WEATHER
Yesterday morning was not propitious for
a grand demonstration, as the day opened
with dark clouds, thunder and light rain.
The faces of the Democracy lit up with
such a smile of qualification as they wore
after Bulls Run and Fredericksburg, while
the Union people looked rather anxious
and disappointed. But after the
r COURIER, EXTRA ac
appeared, the visages of the Copperheads
elongated as the most idiotic among them
saw it was, another instance of the Courier
editor putting his foot in it. Our Office was
crowded during the forenoon with prorni-l
nent old neutrality-suspicious. who have
some ,self-respect, and lamentthe degrade
ton of the present party leaders-protest-
ing against having the Democratic party
held responsible for the dirty piece of
blackguardism. The faces of Union men
frightened up, for they saw the desperate
depths to which the old enemy was driven,
and the a45( .s5Y 80 e, al.4.4 ..ol sira
.ntNoTEs OF Preparation ~ -i'a 70
Went on with renewed -vigor, and all loyal
hearts were filled with new animation and
determination, and we doubt not thou
sands will be. addedto the crowd. to-day.
During the forenoon. through the polite
ness and kindness Of Mr.. Mat. Henning,
we visited the Grove, and found workmen
busy in preparing the stand, seats, tables,
and the grounds generally, for the Union
hosts to-day tH.t ~ >5.' s. -.1-.'.., f
Another detail was preparing the man.
mouth warehouses of our good and loyal
fellow citizens, Messers. Brown & bunker
son, to be used in case of rain, and as the
day passed on, evidences OF preparation
could be seen ION every hand. Wagons
loaded with IN ;f 81. srjs -5s4 I'd
llI TRANsPARENCIES AND LAMPS q %'it
Were passing through the streets en- route to
the several ward rendezvous, and there was
a. general determination on the part of the
Tr-la------s---- FotIT Inc programme,
however simpropitious the. weather might
prove. In proportion as the Union men
grew smiling and tranquil, the Demi-john-
ocrats grew sombre and uneasy. Some
sought consolation in boomerang whisky,
and made strong speeches on the Court
House steps. .,--g - ..-----
A magnificent shield with thirty-six
stars-a remnant, perhaps, of the flag that
Andy scattered broadcast as he swung
around the circle-was suspended over the
crossing of Main and First Streets, bearing
the inscription, in large letters of gold,
" Welcome Soldiers Friend" Other ban
ners and flags were hung across the streets,
and all needful preparations were perfec-
ted and the people waited with impatience
the hour for forming the
GRAND ToRcH-LIGHT PROCESSION,
Which began to light up the skies as early
as z o'clock. When we arrived on Nam
Street, we found over two squares of torches
and transparencies there. and the cross
streets from First to Third, on both sides,
filed with cleaning lights. AS they
fled in, shouts of triumph filed the air.
The pavements from First to Fourth Street
was crowded with men, women and chill
dren, and every buildingon both sides was
literally crowded. By S1z o'clock the rain
commenced falling, and increased in vio-
lence until the procession moved, when it
was coming down in torrents. bt'E
The line was formed on Main Street, and
extended in files of four in close order.
from First to Fifth Street ON the canal.
More than 1,5O0 torches were borne in the
procession, and nearly lbs transparencies.
Each ward was represented, and averaged
over 40 each. Independence, always true
to the Union, sent up $50 gallant men, and
Young America, go strong brought up the
rear guard with the most significant trans
parancies in the crowd. The procession
moved out to the depot, and most of the
torch bearers and many spectators took
shelter in the depot building and in the
warehouse of Brown, Dunkerson & Co.,
beyond the freight depot. while thousands
stood out in the streets, taking the rain,
which poured down in torrents, as good
naturally as If on dress parade on de-
lightful evening.
The sidewalks all around in the neigh
borhood of the depot were crowded with
men, women and children. Some with
umbrellas and some without-the rain
coming down in literal streams, until
Eighth Street, from Locust to Main, was
covered with water, and flood, like a
mill race. poured across Main Street, near
ly boot-topdeep. There the crowd stood,
in that pelting storm, for near an hour,
and not man fiinched or fell out of the
crowd. 1t was, indeed, astonishing, and
we could not help but reflect "If this
thing is done in the green tree what shall
be done in the dry?"
The rain was manifestly sent to try the
faith of the saints. and they came forth as
gold seven times tried. The Copperheads
were confounded. A few of the most exer-
cised went out to the depot and took a
comprehensive view of the scene, and soon
returned. AS they left, we heard n distin-
guished chieftain of the Copperjohnson
fraternity say, "It's no use talking, by
Cd; the boys are here, and they mean to
stand 1t out" And they did stand it like
heroes, as hundreds of them were, who