The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-09-20
4 Tournament sm ESiss@ William.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
KING WILLIAM COURTHOUSE, VA, !


September l6, 1869.
Horace Greeley has described tourna-
mcnt to be ga parcel of idle boys congrc
gated in an old field, drinking whiskcy and
sticking sticks through q ring" Notwith
Standing this disparag ing description, your
correspondent was induced to ride twenty
eight miles, along II dusty road, 10 be on
hand al the tournament and sorcc which
came off at this place this afternoon.
The weather was delightful, the rain last
night having settled the dust, cooled the
rarched earth, and left the track in q
splendid condition. About o'clock ?. NJ,
a goodly company having arrived, the
knights, twenty-five i'll number, represent
ing some of the best families in this and
The counties contiguous, were drawn up III
martial array III front Of the hotel to
receive their /" CHARGE
Colonel II. e. Mclaughlin, in Il speech
wcll-timcd and most appropriate, eXhortcd
the contestants to "dceds of daring" by
reminding them that the prize for which
they were to contend was that priceless
guordon of honor-thc approving smile Of
lovely woman.
While thus standing before us, accoutcrcd
and caprisoncd as if for the fray, we could
hut notice the noble bearing of this fine
looking body Of men. In the ranks we re-
cognized many whose features we had seen
wearing a sterner aspect as they stood on
another feld-a field all CORY with the man
glcd and the slain, when not only the ap-
probation Of their fair countrywOmcn, but
Il nations independence, was the stake for
which they then contcndcd.
npf In cpcnob hos cn1nl tba Iurlp-
blast of the herald is heard summoning the
knights to the rendezvous the judges take
their places: the marshals clear the road :;
and all is ready for the contest.
The Knight Of Richmond, splendidly
mounted, and with the speed of the wind,
leads the van. He is followed by others in
rapid succession. The riding is witnessed
with exciting interest until it eliminates,
when the contest for the highest prize In.
so narrowed down as TO rest between tw,
knights, each of whom has taken tho ring
three times in succession. Another trial is
allowed them. The Knight Of the Silver
Crescent essays the first, but his horse has
become unmanagablc, and at 2:40 speed
flies up the road, when, suddenly shying,
horse and rider are down pell-mell almost
in the midst of group of ladies. But the
rider is unhurt, and in moments time
in fact, before any Of the ladies have time
to find a gentleman near into whose arms
they may fall and faint gracefully away
he is up again, mounted, and careering
over the field.
After the fifth trial the victor was an
nounced, and the company repaired to the
hotel to witness the coronation ceremonies.
Mr.. William Haw, Knight of the Silver
Crescent" who had gained the first distinc-
ton, had the honor Of browning as Queen
of Love and Beauty the accomplished and
vivacious Miss Jennie Bridges, of New
Kent county. Miss Alice Neal, the first
Maid Of Honor, was crowned by the
knight of the Southern Banner" MIR.
john D'Fanges, of King William and Miss
Annie Littlepage, the second Maid Of
Honor, by Mr.. d. Fleet, Knight of Hope,'
also Of this county. The coronation speeches
were made by u gentleman whose name |
forget, but who was doubtless selected in
consideration Of his age and experience.
At the conclusion OF these exercises the
royal set " was formed, others quickly
IAtollowed, and to the inspiring strains from
81 Bailey's unriyalled coti!lon band the whole
company joined in the may dance until
supper was announced, when we were in
yited to partake Of collation. such as only
a Virginia, host knows how to spread.
After supper the dancing was resumed.
The spacious ballroom was filed; all
seemed happy; and the many loving
glances from soul-subduing eyes--thc
smiles, the signs, and reciprocal pressure Of
hanig--gaYe evidence that the little god
was there, end that many we're falling the
victims Of his archery.