The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-04-28

| but our citizens are familiar With the prompt
ness with which fires have been checked, anc
the comparative immunity from false alarms
| With seven steamers. six hand engines, two
excellent hook and ladder companies, and foul
hand engines manned by colored men, all the
organizations in fine state of discipline, and
under the most competent and experienced
management, it will be conceded, especially by
those who witnessed the parade yesterday. that
Charleston can boast of one Of the best organ
lied and administered fire departments in the
South. It is also said to be the largest de-
partment south Of New York.
THE PREPARATIONS.
In anticipation Of the anniversary, nc means
were spared by the several companies or their
friends to enable them to bear an honorable
part in the exercises of the day, and, if possi-
BILE, to win its laurels. The engines and hose
carriages we're polished to degree of nicely
which made them more resemble gigantic
toys than the rough and ready machines on
which our community have so often relied to
battle with the fire-god. The tailor contribu-
ted new uniforms, the painter lent the decora-
tions of his art, the machinist overhauled the
dust and renewed the oil, and the ladies-God
bless 'em-wove flowers into ornamental fes-
toons and garlands that left the eye to swim IN
a sea of beauty. Much interest, too, was excly
ted by the preparatory practice Of the engines
and trucks, the ambition of the men being
aroused to pitch "that breeded monstrous
hopes and fears" Three priZes-silver cups
were offered by the Board of Firemasters-o
to the hand-engine companies, another to the
hook and ladder companies, and the third to
the steamers. How these we're disposed OF
will appear presently.
THE DAY
could not have been more suspicious II IL hao
been loaned out of Paradise for this special
occasion. The sun sought shelter behind
veil of clouds, and yet revealed their silver lin
ing; the air was cool and invgorating, and the
wind barely stirred the green boughs of the
trees Al an earlier hour than usual the city
was astir, and by nine o'clock the labyrinthian
streets were emptEing their thousands into the
thorouehfares selected as the route of the
procession. The ladies looked overwhelmingly
beautiful; the children divided ones thoughts
between respect for the matrimonial institu-
ton and pity for the census taker; and the
freedmen, with their piccaninnies, added rich
contrasts and coloring material to the living
mosaic that lined the walks. King and Meet
ing streets were like Broadway in miniature.
Every window, from top to bottom story, was
picture frame, out Of which peeped as many
happy faces as could be crowded together,
while the balconies Of the hotels were like an
arabesque pattern of humanity in which lovely
shapes, laughing eyes, bright smiles and en-
broidered handkerchiefs we're mixed, mingled
and lost in crushing and beautiful confusion.
All business seemed to be suspended, and the
grave pater famas1s from Broad-street and
the Bay for the nonce surrendered himself
willing victim to wife and babies.
THE RENDEZVOUS.
Punctually at the hour Of ten, the various
companies assembled at the appointed rendez-
uous on Citadel Green, and took their places in
the line. A delay occurred. We asked the
reason. "Don't know" was the response.
'sAre you not all ready ?" "Yes." anybody
missing?" 'Nol" Finally, we encountered
member of Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1,
and we're informed that beautiful banner
representing small pattern Of blue sky and
broke out at one end, with an eruption Of thirty
four stars, which General Tyler was expected to
allow some of his gentlemen to "tote" at the
head of the procession, was in the yocative,
because the aforesaid young gentlemen could
not get furloughs from the United States OF
America. Thereupon the Fire Department
lighted its cigars thinking, probably, that
General Tyler was an imp O. light), the little
colored citizens turned summersaults on the
grass, and ye reporters meandered miscellane-
ously. During this perambulatory process,
one of the reporters of TIE NEWS was brought
up ''all standing" by voice that sounded like
a musquito in the bottom Of fish horn, "Git
off that grass |" Gazing in the direction of
the festive music, We found that it emanated
from ''vetrun" on guard, who looked, for all
the world. like bag Of indigo that had been
out, without an umbrella, in shower OF brass
buttons. Ye reporter inquired, in water
Cruel tone, wherefore such rage? The fierce
foeman deigned not to reply, but, fitting his
blunderbuss in an abdominal direction, he
came down on US in an elaborate polka worthy
OF patent circus, yelling again ''git of that
grass !" We wandered abruptly backward; be
yelled again.
We stopped and gazed upon the fierce foe
man, whereupon the blood thirsty fellow spun
frantically around like dislocated pair OF
tongs, and screamed, 'Why in thunder don't
yeou git off that grass !" We mildly suggested,
in reconstructed tone, that possibly he was
monopolizing good deal of the verdant lawn
himself, and if he didn't keep those freedmen
yonder from treading down the beauteous
vegetation somebody would report him to Gen.
eral Citz. This was strategic movement on
his rear. In about two minutes the noble de-
fender was threatening personal carnage In
another direction, and working himself into o
tumultuous perspiration, chasing little ne
groes, and yelling ''git of that grass p
THE PROCESSION.
So much by way of an episode. After wait
ing an hour, more or less, the Chief concluded
to move on without General Tyler's ''banner
in the skae.i," and to substitute therefor
smaller emblem, which, with its twin, foated
from Hook and Ladder MOL.
The line of march was down King. through
Ha sci, down Meeting to Broad-the fine band
of the 9Th Regiment leading the procession.
Then followed Chief Nathans and his assis-