, 1873-01-09
Reception Given by General Shcr-
fdan and SiaG
The Most Brilliant Social Oc.
casion Of the Season.
Tho Youth, Beauty, Culture, and Wealth Of
tho City Gathered at Stanl,
ard Hall,
An Unlimited Indulgence in the May
Evoiutions of the Dance.

Tic Suppcr..-The Decoratiotls..- HIagniil.
cent Toilets Of tllo Indies.
Tho grand military ball at Standard Hall last
evening, given by Lieutenant Qoneral Sheridan
aud his Etaif, marked now era in tho social life
OF Chicago, and was ono of tito evidences, il any
indeed were needed, Of tho prosperity Of tho
city, and an exhibition OF tile beauty, good taRto,
woalth, and refinement that may bo found oven
IN city whose birth Gun be remembered by
thousands among us. It was a graceful complt-
mont paid by the gentlemon who gavo tho ball
to tho oitizons among whom they have mndo
their homc for nothing that good taste could
suggest, or money procure, was wanting to
make tho occasion tho most brilliant of it's kind
that tliia city haB over Witnessed. That 1t WAS a
Buccoaa in tho most minute dotail was owing To
the generosity aud Intelligence Of tho
gentlomon who thua Expressed thoir appreciation
Of their reception in Chicago, aud to tho invited
gueata who spared nothing to appoar at thoir
bcst. It vas tho flrat ball gyon by tho military,
and. 1t 1t Is to DO repoato1 it will always be tho
| aocinl evont Of tho scason.
BrANDAnD Hall
is o familiar namo to thousands Of families It
Is souvenir to them Of tho greatest catastrophe
that ever foil upon community, and ono OF tho
| memorable monuments OF the chnrity Of world
TINT wopt With ua iu tho days Of our tribulation,
and stretched forth helping hand to oyory man.
woman, aud child, stricken by tho great calamity
| OF little mcro than yeur ago. It was built "a
| is generally known for clubhouse by tho
lsraolitoB Of this city, among whom arc to 10
| found some of tho wcalthieat, as we'll as most
| respected and influential, of our citizens. Do
| sgned for tho purpose Of social recreation, it
was built to om1nodato gatherings similar to
| that OF last evoning; and, though porhaps tri-
| lie small for such event as the ball Of which
wo Writo, ia ono of tho bost arranged buildings
for the parposo in the country. No more con-
venicnt place could DO chosen. Tho reception
1oonas, hosBng-rooma, card-roomB, supper
rooms, and dancing-hall aro arranged
with consummato ski1l, and leave nothing to bo
doairod. This circumntanco perhaps added muc!,
to tho eclot attending tho bull. Nothing, or
no1t to nothing, was needed but tho ornamont-
Ing ana' decorating tho building in q manner
consistent with tho occasion, aud to this work
tho officers applied themselves with B,,ct aasldu-
ty, good tasto, audi lgonorouity that the tlecora-
tions alone woro worth q day's Journey to look
Mt,
THE DECORATIONS.
Tho main entrance, silo entrance, and hall
woro all fcatoouod with tho National flag loopcl
gracefully ovor tic doorway, wIlilo
tho wnlls were covered with bunting.
The doorway Of every room vas also hoatod in
tho Hamo graceful and arti0tic fashion, Tho
dancing-hal was d triumph Of skill. Tho main
doorway was looped md festoonod as before do
Bcrtbod* Over ovory window was hung q Gng,
gracefully loopcd The ceiling was completely
concealed with IN arrangement Of bunting SO
artlEticalVplAced and contracted ns to eyoko by
its richness tho unqualified admiration Of every
ono present. An idoa Of tho costlinoss Of this
decoration may bo gained from tho
fact that in decorating tho ceiling alone
thoro wero thirty garrison flags, each
86 foot square, while, draped over the building
wore So storm flags, 20 feet square, 40standards
sc cavalry guidons, and 90 cavalry standards
Betwocn the Bido lights were alternate stars Of
rifles and cavalry sabros, tho nuclous being Of
eyergroonH. At one end Of the hull was q
group of bunting and silk flags, prominent
among which was tho battle-aag Of Qoneral
Sheridan, carried at the battle Of Cedar Creek
Tho front OF the stage was o,lyoloped in
bunting, and rallied in with a line of
thirty cleaning rifes with bayonets, forming
brilliant contrast with the green carpcting Of
tho stago At the back was n piece Of scouery
representing q growth Of timber, against which
was Provost Marshal's tent, arranged as nat
ural MS lfo, with the lettera U. 8. upon it.
From tho body Of tho hall tho Illusion WAS conf
ploto. Here onthroncd, sat Vaas' Light Guard
Band, who lid tloir Bharo in manner most ac-
ceptable. Huch dinplay Of bunting and silk,
without stain or spot, has mover before been
Boon in this city, and We worry much doubt il It
r1anr n,1rr, in ntt
chandelier hung in tho contro of the hnl1, and
hanging basket OF raro and fragrant hot-liouso
flowers pendant from tho coiling Gifrusod m
agreeable perfume through tho room.
TILE LADIES' DREss1Na-AooM
was also decorated in tasteful manner co.,
responding with tho ornamontation Of tic dane
ing hall. Evory facility Ind bcen provided
for the guests to diBrobe in comfort
aud without crowding. At the head OF
tho stairs WIS q smaller chamber also
ornamontcd and sot apart for tho convenience Of
such latlioa as bowailed torn skirt or any other
accident to thoir attire. Several sean1strossos
wore in attendance roady to repair any damage
that might. onsuo from carooss step or MI ,,,,-
Fortunate 5ostlo. Such provision Indicated d
thoughtful suggestion from one Of tho fairor
COX. Tho gontleman'a dresaing-room was also
carefully attended to, and not q ainglo detail
omitted In tho preparations for tho convenience
Of tho lords OF creation.
GUESTS FROM ABROAD.
Tic aizo Of tho hall necessarily limited tho
number Of invitations to about 400, all of which
number WAS present, among those who woro
invited from otlsor cftios aud woro present last
oyoning wero the following: Colonel Plouzo,
General Potter, Colonel Hawkins frou, Detroit;
denoral 3. sturgis and daughter, Louisville;
General Lodlia and lady, New York; General 0. |
Kautz and lady, Ooylngtou, Ky; Captain Ouyler |
and Indy, Milwaukee.
AMONG THOSE PRESENT /
wcro tho following laaies and gentlemen O. D.
Sherman ind lady, hTr. md Mrs, Stevenson, Mr..
md Mrs. Nixon, Mr. and AIrs. Don,c1,t Judge
and Mrs. Troe Nlr. md Mrs, James Mckay, D. |
A. mud Mrs. Gago Colonel mud Mra. Houston,