The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-12
THE SEVENTH REGIMENT EXCURSION.

PeOpIe-The Parade the Drill, the Ball and
the Return.
The Seventh regiment excursion, which was CON-
menoed last Thursday evening. when the steamer
City Of Lawrence LETT this city for Norwich, Conn.,.
with the command on board, came 70 close yesser-
day a. noon, when the regiment arrived In town
and paraded up Broadway 70 the regmental afmory.
The trip ON the Sound ON Thu rsday night vas a.
pleasant as could have we'll been desired by the
most exscting of amateur water dogs. Although
during the fore part Of the night dark threatening
clouds spread the sky and lowered so near the
vessel "a at times to seem almost tangible, the moon
succeeded occasionally In breaking her shining way
'urougn the black masses and flooding the surface Of
the water with light made all the brilliant by
contrast with the clouds which chased another'e
SHADOWS along the waves. Il would, In all proba-
oni'y' oo out OF place 10 tell how the night was
pasSeo Oh BOARD me boat; how a lottery was held
ABOUT hine ociock-the stringent laws OF the
empire state to the contrary Notwithstanding
and how some lucky dogs drew prizes In the shane
OF staterooms, and how others who did not had to
content themselves with mattresses thrown carefully
In the way OF everybody who had regard for other
peoples corns or feelings; how these same mat.
tresses totally regardless Of their occupants pref
erences for peace and quietude, even during the
''wee hours OF early morn" took themselves or In
bundles and cruelty deposited their human contents
on the open decks how the night was from time to
time made meOdious by chOruses sung in the saloon
and reechoed with redoubled vigor by voices the
decks; how champagne bottles were quite acc-
dentaly found Just after supper In knapsacks with
the seals unbrOken; how oorks dew from all sides for
long time and mankind and his wife were toasted
thousand lives Of happiness, and, finally, how that
sweet restorer," sleep, crept in among all but the
reyeille sounded at five O'Clock on Friday morning.
THE ARRIVAL AT NORWICH.
steamer entered the Thames riyer-tRat mighty
stream, some two hundred feet in width with very
perceptibe bottom OF which 1.-THE river, not the bot
TOM 1t Is said connecticut Ia Unfortunately proud
and after half hours twisting round rocky promon
tories ION small scale) and ugly looking tufts Of
- ould sod," with blow Of her whistle, as though
she wanted to make all Norwich know that the waves
hadn't swamped her, she sided up 10 the wharf
Five O'Clock is not very early hour for those who
prefer TO get up at four O'Clock but decidedly Is
people who generally rise after the sun has aired
himself couple of hours, and as Norwich is called
class least appearances, on the arrival Of
the BOAT, went TO prove THIS iact FOR as the gang
were yet closed, the blinds OF the private dwellings,
tightly shut and In the streets two solitary mlkmen
were the only really interesting objects to be
seen IN the public thoroughfares. There were, how
ever, on the wharf goodly number OF that genus
called small fry and several old young men, who
probably having had nothing do but doze the day
before, had not found it necessary to sleep when
Other people slumbered. But this aspect was not Of
long duration, for the members OF the regiment i'm
medately the steamer touched the wharf, sent up
such cheers OF greeting and such sky rockets as
would have frightened q far less Cimorous city than
Is Norwich completely out OF Its municipal wits
Then from bigthr0ated gun the pier head there
came in rapid succession thirteen loud detonations
that seemed to shake every bedroom window OF
every house IN every neighborng street. and Nor
witch was awake the streets were alive with people,
and the wharf was covered with crowd OF men,
women and children. In the meantime the exour-
si0nsts proftng by general permit to roam about
the city until given hour, lef the vessel in little
groups lost themselves in the streets that 90 up
and down town and across town all at the same
time, just as though stranger was never expected
in the place.
| BY the time--half-past nine o'c0ck-the regiment
was ready to march out In body to the city, the
big hearted Nutmegs, and Mayor Blackstone,
accompanied by the committee OF citizens, arrived.
seventh to the city, and the Colonel responded AZ
follows
MR.. MAYOR AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE OF
THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY or N0RwICH-ln behalf
| OF the regiment which have the honor ~ command
| thank you for the kindly sentiments happily
expressed and for this cordial welcome. When the
members Of this regiment had decided TO take holi-
day, and were celebrating as to the proper place in
which to spend It, your beautiful city was suggested
be IL known that the fame and good name OF the city
of Norwich are familiar to the young men OF the En-
s commercial prosperity, OF its wealth. OF the inte
gence and accomplishments OF its people, They have
heard that its men are hospitable and Its women
beautiful They know something OF its history-that
IL was one OF the pioneer towns Of the New World;
that II performed Its whole duty century since In
the grand old Revolution which rescued this fair
land from foreign oppression and gave to 1t the ines
Unable blessings Of freedom. And they have heard
and do know that in the last great struggle TO pre-
serve precious legacy the Union OF these States
Norwich was among the first to orally round the
fiag and send It's Sons TO the batte-felds All this
and more they have heard and 10 know; and now
they have come themselves " see the
beauty and greatness OF one OF Connecticut's
men whom you see before you are not all strangers
to the 'Fand OF steady habits" Many have visited
you on business or for pleasure Many, by birth or
yankee land" doubtless speak for others a. well
AZ myself when say that II there Is anything OF
which am truly proud II Is that my ancestors were
natives OF New England My admiration for New
England, for its Institutions for its learning for It's
patriotism, for its energy, for everything that Ii
good, great and admirable is 30 intense and heart
felt that am In danger Of wearying you. In con-
clusion allow me again. IN behalf OF this regiment,
Ia behalf OF the great city which proud TO call
our home and OF the great State which we de-
light to honor and Defend to thank you for this kind
reception.
AT the close OF this speech the Seventh formed by
platoons IN the street and moved forward escorted
by two companies OF the Third Connecticut regi.
ment-exceedingy well drilled companies by the
way-and was very enthusiastically received, the
men cheering and the ladies waving their handker-
chiefs The scene presented TO the eve the regi-
meDt marched through the principal streets was
well worth beholdng. Headed by Grafulia's full
mand marched as the Seventh Knows how to- mepch
every pompon rising and falling together with the
regularity OF the beating Of heart. From every
house top or every portal there hung a national
standard and In many instances the piazzas OF pri
vate dwellings were literally imbedded amid nags
and banners OF all nations and coors. while
fair sex, who waived their handkerchief and
kissed from q distance) welcomes 70 the city's
guests q thousand times over. After completing the
route laid down for the parade the regiment
wheeled into Williams Park, where battalion drill
was had. The ''plains," as the PARK Is commonly
called was surrounded during the drill by q dense
crowd Of persons on foot and In vehicles OF every
shepo, make and manufacture The general scene
qtUhf rfafn pf
the Indispensable concomitants Of q country fair.
There we're stylish carriages with liveried servants
and horses that pranced and danced about at the
dlgntes beat or the drum the low, two wheeled gig
al shabby and rckett ~ that kind which old doc
tors Used 10 anect ~ much In days gone
by, when 4. physicians reputation WAS based
on the large size OF The doses he gave
his patients; the country wagon" Boosting
OF four excruciatngly screechng wheels, plenty OF
straw within the side boards and staDoh temporary
seats covered with buffalo robea well worn and con-
seQuently not SHAGGY; small light wagons with room