New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-07
THE F1REMENs EXCURSION
CIDENT OF TRAVE l.
THEIR RECEPTION AT PHILADELPHIA

THEIR RECEPTION AT PHILADELPHIA
The New York Democrat thus describe
their journey from Cininnati:
The run of sixty miles to Dayton seemed
to give the boys enough sleepiness to carr!
| them through the highland by midnigh
| the interior of the sleeping cars would have
reminded an old soldier of his bivOuat
| grounds. Clothing, equipments, and uten
| sis were hung up literally around the WALL
and roofs, above the heads OF sleeping men
lying in every imaginable posture on thu
velvet cushions, and snoring IN some cases
like Bulls of Rasan.
THE JOURNEY
during. the following day was marked by
many features of interest, prominent among
| which were good breakfast at West Salem
Ohio, a dinner at Meadville, Pennsylvania
and a supper at Hornellsville, New York
Three meals in as many different States
seemed rather novelty. But there was
more than this, for the tremen along tho
route had been informed by telegraph of the
excursiOnists coming, and were on the gu
vive. At Akron, Ohio, the fire bells had beer
out greal peals Of welcome as the train went
whizzing by. At Meadville, Pennsylvania
the Fire Department, three or foul
companies strong, with uniforms and
machines, the fire police, the
City Council, and the Mayor were
all in waiting, as the train arrived, and eX-
tended formal, but hearty welcome; fol
lowed by introductions and by interchanges
Of courtesies. At Cory, Pennsylvania, the
men being all in full uniform, with their
up beside the track At Salamanca a dis
patch was received from Mr.. w. p. Sher-
man, Chief Engineer of the Fire Depart
ment Of Elmira, New York, rendering a
reception, and asking the excursionists to
stop over train or two for the purpose.
To this the following reply was returned:
Many thanks for your kind invitation,
but our arrangements render it impossible
to accept this evening. We shall, however,
be glad to stop and shake hands with you,
give you three hearty cheers and a genuine
Louisiana tiger and arrange for a visit in
your city on our return.
AT ELMIRA.
1t was after 10 Pm. when the cars stop
ped at Elmira, yet the depot was thronged
with people. A brass band was playing,
and the entire fire department, over a thou
sand strong, headed by the chief engineer,
and handsomely uniformed, the authorities,
and Mr.. L. A. Hazard of the Elmira Ga
eette, were on hand to tender the hospitali-
ties of the thriving and beautiful city of
which they are justly proud.
When it is remembered that Elmira was
during the late unpleasantness, great
depot for Confederate prisoners. and that
several of the eXcursiOnists had passed
several weary months of duress there, the
delicacy of this cordial compliment will be
fully understood and appreciated. 1t is
probable that on the return of the party
they will pass day or two in Elmira,
where public reception, in which the fire
men Of Oswego, Ithaca, Binghamton,
ticipate.
On the ears, among the passengers, was an
ex-Union General, an elderly gentleman of
distinguished military bearing, who had
held command at Gettysburg, and who in
vited all the eXcursiOnists who had, as Con-
federates, participated in that engagement,
TO sit beside him by turns, and compare
notes. A mutual cordially characterized
the interviews.
Poker playing was in vogue during the
trip, but little money was staked. Most of
the boys enjoyed the magnificent scenery.
so different from the level meadow or swamp
lands of their own Louisiana The Jersey
meadow reminded them, however more of
home. but the mountains and valleys, the
farms, barns, waterfalls. cliffs, aud crags
were all beautifully novel, and elected con-
slant expressions of delight.
Upon the arrival in jersey City the men
were met by a committee of three from the
Philadelphia Fire Department, who had
come to escort them by the 1890 train to
the city of Brotherly Love. where at three
o'clock P. NJ. grand parade of the fire
ladies, after reception upon a scale greater
than ever even in that city of tremen, was
promised. So the men, their machines and
their baggage were transferred from depot
to depot, and at the hour appointed, were
all on the Camden and Amboy cars en route
or the Quaker City.
George L. Catlin, formerly of the New
Orleans Crescent, writes about the firemen
from Cincinnati to the New York Democrat:
! have just witnessed a reunion more
real, more practical, more productive in
lasting results than ten wears of Congress
sional legislation and tinkerins at recon
struction laws could produce. / have lust
seen hearty Cincinnati tremen. who fought |
with Heintzelman, with Buell., with Han
cock, with will. clasp hands cordially, |
even enthusiastically, with sturdy. robust |
fremen of the Southern metropolis. men
who fought with a will with Lee, with Buck
ner and with Hood. Now, if this be not re-
if you will show me an Ameri- |
IAN who could, without certain leaping in |
MS heart. see those whilOm foes sitting |
Town together to discuss stuffed crabs. Roe |
lerer and ice cream flor the day is fearfully |
xarm), then / will show you an American
who can see no further into the future than
cat can see into mile-post.
The Philadelphia Inquirer of Friday re-
,orts their reception:
The reception of the Mechanics Engine
Company and Hope Hook and Ladder Com
,any, of New Orleans, which took place
afternoon, was, undoubtedly, the
NEST affair OF the kind ever rendered to any
listing fremen from afar by the firemen of
ur city. Not only did they do their South
IN brethren honor, but at many points
long the route the citizens vOciferously
heered the representatives of the Crescent
lily.
From the beginning to the end of the
QUITE it was perfect ovation, and the fire
nen Of the far off Southern city must have
eceived an early and favorable impression
f our people. AS for the display of our
ity fremen, it never was excelled in point
numbers or appearance, except it has
een at the last general parade Of the de-
It was expected that the two visiting
would arrive at the West Phila-
elphia depot about three o'clock, but they
id not make their appearance until an
our and a half later. When the train came
teaming into the depot with the firemen
nd their apparatus, there was a great rush
lade by large crowds of men and boys, who
surrounded the cars.
In the course of few minutes the guests
ere marshaled together and escorted to
ne Columbia Engine House, on Market
u-haro &bair iuuar-uan 1Uoc proporIx, |
AIRED for in a truly hospitable style.
While the repast was being partaken Of |