Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-10-25
The Tournament at Marshall Hall.


to many readers of your excellent paper, I
accordingly send you the subjoined sketch,
which, imperfect as it is, you are at liber-
ty to publish, provided you think it suit
able for your columns.
The Tournament, as was expected from
public notice given, took place on the first
day of October. The day was admirably
suited to the purposes of the occasion, be-
ing clear and beautiful, with little wind,
which served to mitigate the solar rays and
impart its bracing influences to the COM
pany assembled.
The site selected for the track was very
fine. 1t was on broad level overlooking
the Potomac river-itself "a thing of beau
ty'-and in the distance, across it's gilt
tering expanse, could be seen Mount Yer
non, once the home of the immortal Wash
ington, cleaning out from the surrounding
trees and adding not little to the beauty
and interest of the scenery. The arch and
Judges stand were tastefully built, and
beautifully decorated with flags and ever
greens.
Although the sports Of the day were not
to commence until noon, yet a very consid-
cradle company had arrived long before
that hour; even as early as ten o'clock the
carriages could be seen thronging the gate
at the entrance to the grounds, filled with
1a1ioc o16 49,
pating in the enjoyments of the occasion
At twelve o'clock, when the fitting was to
commence, everything was arranged in
splendid order by Chief Marshal, Capt. w.
F. Dement,, who deserves great credit for
the manner in which he conducted the pro-
ceedings of the day. A procession was
formed on the shore of the river, compos-
ed of the Knights, Marshal and Aids, and
marched, headed by band of music, to
the track where they were met by the win
some smiles of ladies fair, who thronged on
either side. The Knights presented gal
liant appearance as they marched in the
procession. Dressed in fancy costumes,
with lances glittering in the sunlight, they
reminded one of the ''pomp and circum-
stance of glorious war;" but forbodings of
evil were dissipated as reflection taught
that their purpose was peaceful and their
design ennobling.
The appointed hour having arrived, the
Knights presented themselves before the
judges stand, when the Orator of the Day,
D. I. Sanders, Esq, addressed them in a
speech of great beauty and eloquence, re-
ceiving, as he concluded, the well merited
applause ofthe entire company. The track
was then cleared, and the bugle sounded
the charge for the contest, which was for
the honor of naming the Queen and Maids
of Honor. The Knights came on in the
following order, viz: ]. E. Martin, Knight
of Hawthorne; John M. HALEY, Potomac
R. M. Martin, Cat Ponds Nathaniel Hal
ley, Dolly Warden; z. W. HALEY, Forsaken;
A. M. Bryan, Dead Duck; w. T. Clagett,
Pomonkey; H. M. Thomas, Red White and
Blue; Sidney Miles, Night Before Last, and
G.. R. Bryan, Red Star. The Knights were
each allowed five runs, the one taking the
ring the greatest number of times to be en-
titled to the honor of naming the Queen.
The contest was very spirited and excited
much interest among the spectators. AT
ter the five runs had been ridden out it was
found that there was tie between the two
most successful, the Knight of Pomonkey,
and Red White and Blue, each having TAX
en- the ring three times. The contest be-
tween them was finally decided in favor of
Pomonkey, Red White and Blue taking
the next honor. There were ties, also, be-
tween the Forsaken, Dead Duck and Dolly
Warden, which finally resulted in favor of
the Forsaken and Dolly Warden. This
ended the fitting, and the crowns were
given to the successful Knights, who
crowned the following ladies: Miss Kate
Compton, Queen of Love and Beauty, by
the Knight of Pomonkey; Miss Cecil Miles,
First Maid of Honor, by the Knight of Red
White and Blue; Miss Eva Boswell, Second
Maid of Honor, by the Forsaken Knight;
and Miss Ella Clagett, Third Maid of Hon
or, by the Knight of Dolly Warden.
After supper, to which you may be sure
ample justice was done, all footsteps were
tending to the ball room, which was spa
cious pavilion, just suited for the purpose.
A procession was formed, headed by the
Queen and Maids of Honor, and marched
through the pavilion to the stand occupied
by the Orator of the Evening, who enter
tanned them with brilliant and eloquent
address, admirably adapted to the occasion.
Mr.. Gardiner ended his speech amid great
applause, and received the congratulations
of his friends generally. After the address,
dancing speedily commenced, and was
kept up with great spirit till about mid
night, when the company began gradually
to disperse, returning to their homes with
pleasant recollections of the scenes they
had witnessed, and the pleasures they had
experienced. A LOCKER On.
rs large supply of goods suitable for the
season, consisting of Fine Black Dress Suits ;
Sack, Frock and Wing Overcoats: Bows and