The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-08
THE METROPOLITAN FIRE DEPARTMENT.

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Parade Of the Departments and Review BY
Governor Fcntoa.
During the past two nights large portion OF the
Metropolitan Fire Department has been pretty well
taxed by dre duty but. nevertheless the turned
out yesterday morning in obedience to ORDERS
polished up their engines, trucks and tenders, got
themselves and their horses in good trim. and at
ten O'Clock were ready at Union square to fall In
line at the word OF command and commence their
march, which was to close with q review by tho
Governor at Tompkins parade ground.
The brigade which had been detailed for the
parade, consisted OF the picked companies OF the
department divided into three battalions.
The First battalion comprised Engine Companies
Nos 49, Ia, Is and 25, and Hook and Ladder Com
pany No. /, under the direction OF Assistant Engt-
neer Bates
The Second battalion consisted OF Engine Com
panles No. "a, 8, IA and "a, and Hook and
ladder Company No. 10. under the direction OF As
sistant Engineer Shaughnessy.
The Third battalion comprised Engine Companies
Nos. s, 10, Is and 49, and Hook and Ladder Company
No. IL, under the command Of Assistant Engineer
Sullivan Chief Engineer Kingsland was in COM
mand OF the brigade, and to his efforts Is owing the
success Of the display.
The line was formed, as above stated, promptly on
time and the procession headed by platoon OF the
Twenty ninth precinct police and the Fifth regiment
drum CORPS marched down Broadway to Houston
street. through Houston to Mercer thence to Spring
street to Broadway down Broadway to Beaver street,
through Beaver to Broad street, to Wall street to
Broadway Park row, Chatham street, Bowery, Third
avenue and ST. Marks place to TOmpkins square,
The paving OF Broadway necesstated the divergence
at Fireman's Hall by the Board OF Commissioners.
Arriving at TOmpkins square the parade was review
ed by his Excellency Governor Fenton.
In front OF each company the foreman walked, car
rying as his badge OF office brass speaking trumpet.
The members Of the companies marched in sections,
with the assistant foreman OF each at the right Of the
same 1t was somewhat amusing to see with what
apparent fOndness the foremen and assistant fore
men Rugged their trumpets, as by an order OF the
Board OF Commissioners they are permitted to have
10 say that the brigade looked and marched ex-
could be said OF their appearance while the horses
and apparatus. having been well brushed and
brightly polished, looked as trim and neat as they
The propriety OF the companies parading in full
dress uniform with fatigue caps might be questioned
Had the men worn tile regular leahern helmet they
would no doubt have looked more like their busi-
ness, and, to . certain extent, have had more I'M
posing appearance .n AS It was, however. they
looked ii they were able to do almost any amount
OF duty In creditabe style.
When they arrived at T0mpkins square, after CIV
ing marching salute to the Governor, the order
was gwen to mount, and in almost a twnkling the
tenders and the horses started on full run Three
times around the square they few In good order and
them forming in three sides around the Governor and
the Commissioners and visitors who were with him,
they were addressed briefly by the President OF the
department and Governor Fenton Both the speakers
c0mplimented the fremen the fine display in re-
view and for the efficiency they had exhibited and
thanked them for the pains they had taken to reflect
credit upon the department which they represented
and for the excellent services they and the entire de-
partment had rendered.
The companies which were out on review comprised
only One-third of the entire number under the drec-
that If fire should occur during the parade there
were men and apparatus enough SO disposed as to
be ready to answer to the ALARM Along the line Of
procession spectators lined the sidewalks on either
side and while the generally fine and efficient ap-
pearance OF the mea was universally acknowledged,
there was entire absence OF the enthusiasm which
ever characterized the parades of the old depart
pcnt.