Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-06-14
CORRESPONDENCE.
Letter from PhiIade deIphia.
PHILADELPHIA, june 10. 1873.

Friend IPiluert:
Having n leisure moment, thing rather
rare at this our busy season, take advan-
tagc of IL TO drop you line or two. The
hot weather of the past few days, has had
the effect of hurryiug off to the country
those who intend to shake the city dust off
for the warm weather. Some go 10 the
mountains, some to the sea-shore, others
to Europe, and those, like your correspon-
dent, whose business will not run itself,
take advantage of the facilities of travel,
and spend the nights in the country, COM
ing i'll in the morning refreshed with pure
air, working it off during the day, return
ing worn out and exhausted in the evening
for new supply, and such the daily round.
The great increase of travel to Euro pc is
very plainly evidenced by the crowded
steamers going out and the difficulty of se-
curing accommodation. A distinguished
clergyman said to me few days ago, he
hardly knew who of his congregation were
at home, he'd been using the prayer of
those going to sea SO constantly.
Since my last, little of moment has oc-
CURED in our city unless it be the obser-
vance of Decoration Day. Never has it
been so generally observed Here, by suS-
gestion of the Mayor, it was holiday.
The municipal and National public offices
we're closed. Many of the posts assembled
early, but the generality of them immedi-
ately after dinner. Post 2, of which your
correspondent had the honor of being
chairman upon decoration, assembled at
Headquarters at 1.30 The morning had
been very hot and we were all dreading
the dusty march. when about the time of
moving the sky became heavy and a storm
seemed approaching. From extreme heat
at starting, it changed, before reaching
Monumental Cemetery to comfortable chill
! ly. In former years we've always been
accompanied by an escort of National
Guards. This year we dispensed with
them, and every one was greatly pleased
with the contrast. The escort always de-
tracted from the appearance of the Post,
and being, in many cases, needless boys,
lessened the solemnty of the occasion, as
we'll IS in many cases doing injury that
cost the order considerable to repair. We
had about 100 men in line, with uniform
dress Of black coats, pants and cravats-
white vests and gloves fatigue cap. Grand
Army badge and Post mourning badge
| worn on the left lapel of coat and above
it rosebud in buttonhole. We had seve-
raj wagons loaded with flowers following
the line and they again by carriages con-
tanning chaplains, orator, Glee Club, re-
correspondent among the latter, owing To
resevere injuries. The column was led by
| Beck's (free) Band, the best in the citv
After short parade ending at Broad and
Coates, the procession moved out Broad
street in open order, stopping TO decorate
the monument at Broad and Giracd ave-
nue., arriving at the Monumental Cemete-
ry at O'Clock. The band playing a dirge
and the bells tolilng as we entered the
grounds -swarming with people many of
whom had been waiting for hours in order
! to have a good position to see. After the
exercises around the monument, and an
Grafton by comrade Bosbyshell, the Post
proceeded to decorate the graves by de-
plOyed skirmish line. Recall sounded
about 6 O'Clock, after which the Post re-
turned TO the city, getting back just in
time to miss heavy shower that came up.
Yesterday was great day among the
militia organizations Of the city. In the
old times before the war it was called bat
tallion day. The occasion was the Spring
muster and inspection of the lst Div. n.
q. of Pa. General Provost, the command
err thereof, true to his instincts of oppos-
ton to the q. a. r., chose day set apart
by that order in the State, to assist their
comrades in New Jersey, in dedicating
Monument in Camden. 1t is not the first
time he has done so, having once appointed
a muster upon Decoration Day. 1t must
be Intentional, for man, even of the Gen
erals ordinary intelligence, must have
been aware of it. As "a consequence grum-
bles long and loud were heard upon every
side and added not little to his unpopu-
larity with his Division. An eye witness
told me this morning that the affair was a
miserable failure, and the quiet way in
which the morning papers review it really
indicate it. Despite the obstacles our
neighbors in Camden had a gala day, and
q grand turn out.
Many of your readers were personally
! acquainted with, and others knew by repu-
tation very well, the Rev. Albra Wadlegh
formerly Rector of the Episcopal Church
in Muncy, and lately of Germantown, and
were, no doubt, shocked 10 hear of his
sudden death on the 2jth ult., in the prime
of life and usefulness. Death Mt all times,
sad, in this case, to all who knew and low
ed him, ineXpressible so.
The Rev. L. W. Gibson for many years
| Rector of st. Matthew's Church in your
| place has recently resigned his position as
Assistant Minister at st. James Church,
/ one of the oldest and wcalthiest Episcopal
congregations in this city, which only n
/ few years ago, built a handsome new
Church at 22d and Walnut. While we
regret the necessity demanding the step
! upon Mr. G.'s psrt we know he leaves
many friends behind who will always wish
! him well. The Rector of st. James, the
venerable and beloved DIR. Morton, is q
rare instance of long and faithful service.
! He came n Deacon 10 the Parish, and was
| Bishop Whites assistant therein seven
years, and afterwards succeeding him as
! Rector, and has remained as such nearly
forty years. His first and only charge.
Long may he live and enjoy the love and
esteem of his people.
Yours,