The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-23
LOCAL MATTERS.

The CELEBRATION YESTERDAY
by far the most interesting incidents of the
anniversary celebration yesterday took
place after nightfall. The banquet of the
Grays at st. Adams Hall, in honor Of
their visiting comrades of Company A, Of
Petersburg, was highly enjoyable affair,
and reflected much credit upon the Rich.
mond boys, who conceived and conducted
it. On entering the hall we found foul
full-lengthy tables we'll laden with tempt.
ing viands, which had been prepared by the
well-known caterers, Hunt and Callahan
and soon the guests from Petersburg ano
the Grays, with number of invited guests,
took their seats at the tables. The CHARGE
which Immediately ensued was eminently
soldierly, and it grew momentarily more
spirited until the confronting foe was des.
patched.
After all had feasted upon the delicious
food and refreshed themselves with the
elegant wine and other beverages, which
were plentifully supplied, season of inter-
change of feeling and sentiment ensued,
and responses were most happily made by
Captain Cameron of the Petersburg COM
pany, Mayor Kelley, General Richardson,
Col. Elliott, Col. Sloan, Gov. Walker and
Col. Owens, and by other gentlemen.
who were loudly called upon. This lasted
for some time, the most cordial feeling
pervading the entire assembly. Governor
Walker paid the civic soldiery a very
handsome compliment upon their appear
ance on the parade, and we must not omit
to state that he called special attention to
the stubborn and unpatriotic action of the
General Assembly of Virginia IN refusing
to adjourn for the day in honor of the
memory of Washington.
AT the close of the festivities in st. AL
bans Hall, many who had participated
repaired to Virginia Hall to attend the
grand annual ball of the Richmond Light
Infantry Blues. Here the scene which
greeted us was one of dazzling splendor.
The elegant auditorium, the stage, the gal
leries, and the adjacent halls and parfors
of the building were all aglow with light
and animation. The soldiery, in their
handsome uniforms, and the richly attired
ladies, fitting hither and thither or pass
ing through the Intoxicating mazes of the
dance, the inspiriting strains of the music,
the buzz of glad voices and the ringing
laugh from happy hearts, all found a scene
OF unriyalled .brilliancy. Among the in
vited guests at the ball, we noticed Cover
nor Walker, Colonel Owens, Mayor Kelley,
Colonel Munford, General Moore, Major
Poe, Captain Bigger, and others.
A very interesting episode of the evening
took place about IL o'clock. A musket,
highly ornamented with silver plates and
FURNISHED to rare brilliancy, once the pro-
perty Of the Richmond Blues ofother days,
presented to them by a Philadelphia com
pany many years ago, was Represented to
the now existing organization. Mayor Kelley
made the presentation speech, and the gun
was received on behalf of the company by
Colonel Munford, an aged gentlemen, who
took the occasion to relate many incidents
connected with the company from its first
organization while Washington was still
living. Along with the gun, Colonel Mum
ford said, came a magnificent National
flag, the gift of Pennsylvania, which had
been sacredly kept among the archives OF
the State House until 1861, when, he said,
in a regretful voice, it had disappeared, ,
and he knew not what had become of it.
In due time the gay company repaired to
the supper-room and partook of most
bountiful repast which had been prepared
by Mr.. j. L. johnson, of Twelfth street,
and after the night had been far spent,
dispersed to their several homes.