National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-26
VIRGINIA SPRINGS.
ENCANPMENT OF THE RICHMOND
GRAYS-THE GRAND BALL.

GRAYS-THE GRAND BALL.
GRAND HOTEL,
JoRnAS ALrJN SPRINGS, VA, Aug. "a, 1874. )
The lopg-anticipated encampment az this
place of companies and F, First Virginia
regiment, was begun yesterday morning, their
arrival being announced by sweet strains from
McCann's celebrated Richmond brass band,
which broke the stiffness Of the mountain re-
Rion about daylight. The companies LEFT
Richmond Saturday afternoon. Arriving at
Millboro', they marched across the mountain,
some six miles, in about an hour and half.
The soldierly qualities of both men and officers
was fully tested by Q msrSh through the pour
ing rain which was encountered Just after leav-
ing Millboro'. As they entered camp, each
fully equipped for an eight days sojourn, they
presented a fine appearance, their neatly rolled
red blankets forming . pleasing contrast to
their full grey suits. The companies are under
the command of Lieutenant Binford, Of CON-
pEny B. Colonel Sloan Is present, but only as
guest Of the battalion, with which he 10 q
great faYorite. Many Of your readers Win re-
member this regiment az the one which so
handsomely entertained our Washington Light
Infantry, two years ago, on its memorable visit
to Richmond. Certainly the Virginia boys
have not forgotten those from Washington, Of
whom they speak In the highest terms, both as
q command and personally. As soldiers, the
bearing, maneuvering and department Of the
Light Infantry are most highly complimented
by the Richmond boys. 20
The officers accompanying the battalion are
Colonel Sloan, as guest; Captain Stark, adju-
tsnt; Captain Clark, acting major; Lieutenant
Blnford, company B, senior oflcerin command,
and Lieutenant Pizzini, (agent Of the Asso-
ciated Press,) commanding company +. The
officers uniform is Confederate gray, black
and gilt facings, gray dress cap, black plumes
and gilt; priVates' uniform like officers, ex-
cepting gilt and black hats, with white pom
pons. The uniform IL similar to the Washing
ton light infantry, save that the epaulette ls
black and white fringe. Their coats are more
nobby than those of their Washington eoEfrsTes,
and shorter. The camp Is In the form Of .
hollow square, and Is pitched on Q beautiful
lawn on the margin Of the Jordan Alum lake.
It consists Of about thirty "walp tents, each
provided with "hyS" Notwithstanding the
pouring rain all day, these tents are perfectly
dry within.
Az 9 garrison flag they have brought the
large ensign from the State capitol, the coat
Of arms OF the State, with its ancient motto Of
"SIe Ssmpsr TyTaHiS" being plainly visible as
Il bends from the staff. As Q battalion Tag
they use that presented to company B, Walker
Light GuardS) by Governor Walker. The
regiment is armed with the latest Remington
breech-loader-an effective weapon, II target
firing Is o standard by which TO Judge.
The First Virginia numbers seven companies
in all sbout $50; IN addition tbers iS bat
terry Of four twelye-pound hoHitsefs. As Q
class the young men comprising the regiment
are from among the best In Richmond, this
command being TO that city what the famous
Seventh is to New York. Many Of them are Of
fine facial features, while all viii compare
fGyOFaRly With any Ike body Of men for hand
To-h6froR the first dress parade WI be bad,
with guard mounting, and on Wednesday night
grand military ball, TO be followed BY 3
sumptuous banquet at the exgense ofthe Grand
hotel. The ballroom is now being handsomely
decorated with beautiful flags Of many eolorS
and different chafaetefs. The band Of the
regiment viii join with the portion Of Che Naval
Academy band employed here on the occasion
of the ball, and some exquisite music Is ex-
pectsd. /
eloquent, )" lectured in the ballroom Of the
Grand, on "What q Blind Man Saw In Lon.
don." Among other things mentioned, he con
trasted with eject the styles of Ssbate IN the
American and British national Legislatures
Tomorrow he gives another, on his favorite
theme, "What Blind Man Saw In Paris. =
You viii see by this that though almost isolated
from civilization we are not wholly deprived Of
| literary entertainment. ..
| effective sermon, portraying, in most beautiful
rhetoric, some Of the more prominent stages IN
the life Of the great builder Of Solomon's tenn
pie. A handsome collection was made in be
half of the speaker.
Having curiosity to know whether Mr.. MI
burn was born blind or not, he informed me
that when about five years old 8 boy STRUCK
him in the lefC eye with Q stone, and while IN
dergoing an operation for its cure the physt
clan throuuh a mishan droDred caustic iutt
the eye and forever destroyed It's sight. TIT
left orb was deprived Of light from sympathy
with the right optic.
| Mr.. n. has q most wonderful memory. Al
the service he used the beautiful liturgy of thu
Episcopal Church, going through all but the
psalter and one other portion without prompt
ing. The singing from an improEised choir
led by Mrs. Shackleford-a guest from Char
lottcsville-was as fine as almost any heard u
the cities, particularly the chants. .
At night Mr.. Glazebrook, young Episcopa
clergyman, preached from the text, "Rende
unto Cesar the things that are Cesar" &c.
expatiating with much power and logic on th,
tEo-fod duty Of mRn-that to his fellows anf
that 10 God. Several have arrived from Wash
| ingtoR since / last wrote, among them Mr.
EVeleth and his highly accomplished daughter
and kr. Beard. The newcomers from othei
parts have been numerous. More are expected
tomorrow, Some twenty-five arrived from
Richmond Sunday morning. The grand ball 4
the topic Of conversation Just now, many dis
ting1ished persons and handsome ladies being
expected for the occasion-Wednesday night
By the BY, the guests are anxious to get copiet
Of THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN Of August 20
| They all thank you for your full account o
the last dress ball. Send one or two II yoI
can get them, though fifty are in demand.
o.s.