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 COM
menoed last Thursday evening. when the steamer
oity Of Lawrence left this city for NORWICH Conn.,.
with the command on board, came 70 close yester-
day a. noon when the regiment arrived In town
and paraded up Broadway 10 the regimental afmory.
The trip ON the Sound ON Thu sday 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 che night dark threatening
clouds spread the sky and lowered so near the
vessel as at times to seem almost tangible, the moon
succeeded occasionally In breaking her shining way
tnrougn the black masses and flooding the surface Of
the water with light made all the more brilliant by
contrast with the clouds which chased one anothers
shadows along the waves. Il would, In all prob0-
oiiity % out Of place 30 tell how the night was
passed. on board The boat; how a lottery was held
ABOUT nine o'ciock-the stringent laws OF the
Empire State 10 the contrary notwithstanding-
and how some lucky dogs drew prizes In the shape
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
on the open decks; how the night was from time to
time made meOdious by chOruses sung in the saloon
and re-echoed with redoubled vigor by voices the
decks; how champagne bottles were quite acci-
dentally 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
the Sc, sentines ana prolonged her visit until
reveille sounded at five O'Clock on Friday morning.
The drums had scarcely ceased beating when the
steamer entered the Thames river-that mighty
stream, some two hundred feet in width, with very
perceptibe bottom OF which he river, not the bot
TOM 1t is said Connecticut IL Unfortunately proud
tories ION a small scae) and ugly looking tufts Of
q ould sod," with blow OF her whistle, though
she wanted to make all Norwich know that the waves
hadn't swamped her, she sided up TO the wharf
Five O'Clock Is not very early hour for those who
prefer to get up at four O'Clock but 1t decidedly is to
people who generally rise after the sun has aired
himself couple OF hours, and as Norwich Is called
city, her folks must necessarily be of the latter
cass-at least appearances, on the arrival Of
plank was thrown to the landing the stores
were yet closed, the blinds Of the private dwellings
were the only really interesting objects to be
seen IN the public thoroughfares. There were, how
called small fry" and several old young men, who
PROBABLY having had nothing to do but doze the day
before, had not found it necessary to sleep whom
other people slumbered. But this aspect was not Of
long duration, for the members Of the regiment i'm
mediately the steamer touched the wharf sent up
such cheers OF greeting and such sky rockets as
would have frightened far less Jimorous city than
Is Norwich completely out Of Its municipal wits
Then from bg-t hroated gun on the pier head there
that seemed to shake every bedroom window OF
every house IN every neghbOring street, and Nor
witch was awake, the streets were alive with people,
and the wharf was covered with a crowd OF men,
women and children. In the meantime the exour
siOniss, prOhting BY general permit to roam about
the city until given hour left the vessel In little
groups and lost themselves in the streets that go up
tine just as though stranger was never expected
THE RECEPTION OF TuR REGIMENT.
BY the time--hafpast nine oclOck-the regiment
was ready to march out In body to the city, the
streets were thronged with enthusiastic crowds Of
big hearted Nutmegs, and Mayor Blackstone,
accompanied by the committee OF citizens, arrived.
In few appropriate remarks he welcomed the
Seventh TO the city, and the Colonel responded AZ
MR.. MAYOR AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE OF
| Of the regiment which have the honor IN command
| thank you for the kindly sentiments so happily
| expressed and for this cordial welcome. When the
members Of this regiment had decided TO take holi-
day, and were celebrating to the proper place in
which to spend it, your beautiful city suggested
be IL Known that the fame and good name of the city
OF Norwich are familiar to the young men OF the EN-
plro City They have heard offs beautiful scenery Of
gence and accomplishments OF its people They have
heard that its men are hospitable and It's women
IL was one OF the pioneer towns OF the New World;
that 1t 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
30 na Gw ss In s ss struggle g pre-
Norwich was among the first to 'rally round the
fiag' and send ITS sons TO the battle-helds All this
and more they have heard and 90 know; and now
they have come themselves ~ see the
beauty ana Greatness OF one OF Connecticuts
men whom you see before you are not all strangers
TO the Gland OF steady habits" Many have visited
you on business or for pleasure Many, by birth or
marriage, have near and dear associations with
yankee land" doubtless speak for others ~ well
IA myself when say that II there is anything OF
natives for Ne%
England for its institutions for its learning for It's
patriotism Tor It's energy, Tor everything that Is
good, great and admirable, Is 20 intense and heart
felt that am in danger Of wearying you. In con-
cuson allow me again, m behalf OF this regiment,
Ia behalf of the great city which we proud 10 cali
our home and OF the great State which we ever 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-exceedingiy 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 IA the reg.
ment marched through the principal streets was
well worth beh0ding. Headed by Grafuia's full
brass band and the regimental drum corps the com
every pompon rising and falling together with the
regularity OF the beating Of heart From every
standard and In many Instances the pazzas OF pri.
vate dwellings were literally imbedded amid nags
and banners OF all nations aud colors. while
every window had Its pretty quota OF the
fair sex, who waived their handkerchiefs and
kissed from q distance welcomes 10 the city's
guests thousand times over. After completing the
route LAID down for the parade the regiment
wheeled into Williams Park where q battalion drill
was had. The ''pains" a. the park IL commonly
called, was surrounded during the drill by dense
crowd Of persons on foot and In vehicles OF every
shepo make and manufacture The general scene
about fhe "plans recalled, at first sight, certain OF
the iDdisp ensable concomitans Of q country fair.
There we're stylish carriages with livered servants
and horses that pranced and danced about ut the |
aghie4i beat or the drum; the low, two wheeled gig
vi shs4,Dy AID rckeI ~ that kind which old doc |
tors uscd " flee much In days gone |
by when physicians reputation WAS based 1
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 staDch temporary
seats covered with buffalo robes well won and con-
seuuently not SHAGGY: ANAL lioht WAGONS with room