The New Orleans crescent., 1869-02-10
Brilliant Wedding In High Lfs In
Washibgson.
From the National Intelligencer, 4sh.I

From the National Intellgencer, lth.l
The Church Of the Ascension. on II street. was
| last evening the scene of q brilliant wedding n
high life. the nuptials of General Comstock, OF
| General Grants staff. and Miss Bessie, daughter
Of Hon. Montgomery Blair, being there cee'
| braied with more than ordinary eclat. Cards OF
| invitation were issued several weeks since and
the event has been looked forward to with great
interest in fashionable circles. Notwithstanding
the drizzlipg rain that prevailed, the church was
crowded in every part with the elite Of Washing
ton. A broad band of white ribbon separated the
pews reserved for the immediate friends of the
family from those open 10 the other invited guests
and long before the ceremony took place a most
fashionable audience was in waiting. The font
was filed with beautiful flowers, and inside the
chsncel was erected unique arch Of evergreens.
from the center of which hung suspended q hand
somely designed monogram Of the bride and
groom. The entrance of General Grant created
quite asensation, and as usual on such occasions
there was great mpatience for the arrival of the
bridal party. At precisely quarter to nine, and
just when expectation was on tip.toe, the doors
were thrown open, the organ pealed forth the
wedding March," and the brilliant procession
passed slowly down the broad aisle to the altar,
where the rector, Rev. DR.. Pinckney, stood ready
TO perform the ceremony. First came the five
beautiful attendants of the bride. exquisitely
sttired, escorted by the groomsmen In glittering
uniforms. Leaning upon the arm Of her grand
father, Frank P. Blair, Sr., next came the lovely
bride, dressed in q magnificent white satin, with
court train, which the soft folds Of her veil
fell gracefully to the floor. A superb wreath OF
orange flowers ornsmented her hair, and her jew.
elry was Of the most elegant and tasteful charsc.
ter. The groom, In the brilliant uniform of
general, came last, escortng the brides grand
mother. asE G.r
At the chancel, the groomsmen and brides.
maids separated In two lines, the bride and groom
passing through to the altar, the whole arrange.
ment forming q striking tsbleau, the effect of
which was heightened by the beautiful blending
Of the natural colors formed by the dresses of the
bridesmaids and the illumination Of many candles
burning on the communion table. The brides
maids were Miss Minnie Blair, Miss Beck, Miss
Violet Blair, Miss Sands, and Miss Christina Blair,
daughter Of Gen. Frank P. Blair, Jr; Gen.
Bsdesu, (of Gen. Grants stsf) Gen. Terry, Gen.
Turtier Capt. Graves and Mr.. Lee. nephew of
Commander Lee, acted ss groomsmen. The i'm.
pressive ceremony Of the Episcopal Church was
solemnly read by the minister, the vows of matri-
moDy were exchanged. and in q few moments the
wedding party passed out of the church, and
from thence 10 the residence of Commodore 6. P.
Lee, where Q reception was held from half.past
until O'Clock A. NJ. The rooms were crowded
a bountiful repast was provided for ell. There
were present In the church, General and Mrs.
Grant, Secretary Seward, Senator and Mrs. Pat
terson, Hon. ]. V. L. Pruyn, Of New York, and
ladies'; Senator Doolittle and lady, Senator
Cameron and daughter. Gen. Woodruff and daugh-
General Brice, Gen. Scbriver, Gen. Parker, Gen.
Miller, Gen. Eaton, Col. Leet. (ef Gen. Grants
stsf,) Major King and lady, Gen. ]. G. Kelton
and lady, Gen. Dent, Gen. Babcock, Gen. Hum
phreys, Gen. Ramsey and lady, Mn. Dennis Nc
Csrthy and daughters, ex Mayor walIsch and
lady. Edgar welle:. tchief clerk Of the navy de.
psrtment.) and other celebrities. The wedding
and reception we're the most brilliant that have
taken place this season In Washington.
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