The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-08-22
TEE PORTSMOUTH F1REMEN m
4. RICHMOND.
GRAND PARADE AND BANQUET TO
THE VISITORS.
TRIAL OF ENGINES.

4
Fire Company, No. 2, OF Portsmouth,, with
their apparatus. AS the exeursionists
neared the wharf they reused the people
living down town by q salute of three dis
charges fired from "little, but loud -
howitzer which they brought on their en-.
gina. It was the same piece that almost
split Its brazen throat welcoming General
Lee to Portsmouth only few months be.
tore his death.
THE CHAMBERS STEAM FIRE COMPANY
is volunteer organization about thirteen
years old, and embraces In its membership
large number of the most respectable and
energetic young men of Portsmouth, q
large proportion of whom fought calamity
for the South in the late war. 1t numbers
about 125 men. and Is differed as follows !:
Geo. ON. Palmer, president and captain !;
VIM. III. Morris, Jr., first vice. president !;
VIM. IT. Robinson, second vice-president !;
John ,OConnor, Jr., secretary VIM. A.
Mattbieson, assistant secretary George
Foreman, financial secretary Fred. Durr,
| treasurer; Samuel r. Ferguson, 81. G..
Stoakes, VIM. Linn, directors; JAMES W.
Brown. paymaster; Joseph r. Walton,
quartermaster DR.. E. NJ. Watts, surgeon /;
Francis Wyatt, Con. Irwin, aXemen Rich.
l.. Herbert, engineer Chas. e. Jones, fire.
man; John Glover, driver.
| FIRE APPARATUS. .-
| The company brought with them to Rich
mond n splendid Amoskeag steamer, the
Geo. ON. Palmer, drawn by fine fat pair
ofhorseS in elegant harness-tbe horses and
harness having been presented to them by
the Seaboard and Roanoke railroad. They
also brought fancy glass mirror hose.reeI,
which cost about 81 600; four-wheel wa
ter.tank, used to feed the engine and their
faithful dog "hlco," who appeared in full
uniform.
| DISSEMINATING
ut G O'Clock A. NJ, the company was met by
a delegation from the uand-in-Hand and
1.-The Hook and Ladder companies, of our
Fire Department. A procession was at
once formed and marched up town, headed
by the fine band of the U. S. ship New
Hampshire. The Portsmouth boys were
1O3 in number. They marched like old SOL
dierS, and presented most credltable ap-
pearance in their blight red shirts, black
lpantaloons, metallic hats, and belts Of red
leather, lettered and bordered with white.
Early as it was. crowds lined the street to
witness the display. and the good looks and
manly bearing Of the men were the subject
of no less remark than their handsome ap-
paratus. A fire company composed of such
excellent material, and so completely
equipped, has never been seen in Rich
mond.
TIE LINE OF MARCH
followed was up Main street to Sd, down
Sd to Broad, and down Broad to the en-
gine-house uuder Marshall Hall. The
visitors were then invited to the rooms
lacross the street, under Covenant Hall,
where Captain Aipslie, our Chief Engineer,
babe them cordial welcome t. Richmond,
and, as an earnest of his hospitable inten-
lions, urged them TO rally around several
bowls of liquid appetizers, which, without
reluctance. they proceeded to discuss.
This over, all hands went TO breakfast at
Ford's Hotel. and then the crowd scattered
to view the places OF inter est about the city.
IN THE AFTERNOON
the visitors assembled, with their appa-
ratus, in front Of Frayser's photograph GAL
lery, by invitation OF the proprietor, and
were photographed in group. The engine
and fancy reel in front, and one hundred
men on the post-office steps, in the back
ground, formed quite pretty picture, and
we have reason to believe that it was well
taken by Mr.. Frayser and his assistant, MIR.
Powers.
The visiting company were then escorted
: 10y the Richmond Fire Department to the
: foot Of Sth street, where preparations were
at once made Tor a
TRIAL OF ENGINES.
| A large crowd gathered to witness the
' sport, and despite the wetiing which many
received, they seemed to enjoy it very much.
All the streams were good, notw!thstaDd.
= ing two or three ac.identS TO the hose but
the Portsmouth engine showed her antici-
pated superiority.
The trial was but half over when an
alarm of fire was sounded, and the hose of
all the engines was speedily reeled up, and
a rush made for the scene of the fire. The
search proved futile, however, for no cause
for e-alarm could be discovered. and the
KEY of box 25, from which it sounded, was
, hanging very innoccntly on It's nail.
TORCH LIGHT PROCESSION.
! After supper the Portsmou hans were
marched up aud down hill for an hour Or
two with torches in their hands. The dis
play was most picturesque, and attracted a
great deal Of attention, thousands of peo-
pie thronging the streets and looking from
the windows. At various points fireworks
were set off, and cheer upon cheer arose in
honor of the Boys in the Red Shirts. The
festivities of the day were brought to a
, close by
spread under the auspices of the Fire
IDcpartment of Richmond. The table was
loaded with substantial eat-blcs and re-
freshing turntables, to which full justice
was done by all present. opeeCneS were
then made by Mayor Kelley, Of Richmond,
Messrs. Robinson, D. S. Cherry, V. s..
Haynes, and others of Portsmouth, and ut
La late hour the crowd dispersed.
Oar visitors will leave Richmond this
morning for Petersburg, but will return
home by way Of Richmond. They have
won golden opinions from the people. OF
this city, and there is general expression
OF regret that circumstances We're such
that they could not be more handsomely
entertained.
We had almost forgotten to give the
names of the committee of arrangements
on the part of the Richmond Fire Depart
ment. They were: Captains Herndon and
Phillips, and NeSsrs. Ed. Sweetman, ID. 5.
Cordlc, and j. T. Nowlan. Their duty was
we'll discharged.
FIRE.-On Sunday morning about IL
O'Clock the roof OF the house of mir. j. Han
key, u shoemaker, No. 40S west Broad
street, caught fire from a chimney, but the
flames were put out before, much damage
was done.