Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1875-06-25
Jour SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
OUR CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION!
RugIe Notes from Bunker Hill
who was there and what WAS
done
Boston, MASS, June IS, 1875


done
Boston, MASS June IS, 1875.
Dear journal The One Hun
dredth Anniversary of the battle OF
Bunker Hill, was observed III this city
and the neighboring di 3tricts by one
of the most imposing displays ever wit
messed in New England. For months
previous the long looked for event had
been the chief anticipa ion of thou5-
ands and the immense throng that ILL!
ed our streets yesterday proved that
patriotism far from beng dead tic-
ton of the past, WAS q bright and liv
ing reality. One of the most notIcea-
bile features of the celebration was it's
National significance.
l, was not Massachusetts alone which
contributed to the memorable occa-
sion North and South and East and
West laid side by side their tributes of
love and respect, The procession,
civic and military. was over seven
miles in length and occupied four
hours and twenty minutes IN passing
ii given point. Tothe spectator it was
magnificent sight. South Carolina,
Mary land, Virginia, Pennsylvania,
New York and all the New England
States were represented by their best
military organizations. Maryland SCI
her 9Th regiment, collection of the
finest looking men that ever yOur cor
respondent before had the good fort
une to see together, and South Caro-
lima was represented by the Charles
ton Light Infantry.
It was something beautiful, yes,
something glorious to witness the re-
ceptIOn gwen these boys from the
South. From every house-top, balc0-
ny and window and from the vast mul
tItude in the streets came the most
cordial and enthusiastic expressions of
welcome. Cheering aud the waving
of handkerchiefs and Il continuous
stream OF applause all along the line
assured our Southern friends that
many Northern heart rejoiced at
their presence. One felt almost like
weeping, so affecting was the sight yet
it would have been tears of Joy. "(iOd
bless you, Maryland" God bless you,
South Carolina, was echoed from
heart to heart. 1t Was indeed IL glorI-
GUS reunion, final coming together
of lives, an eternal fermentation of tie
bonds OF love and peace. Heuceforth
there Is no North, no south, we are
one i'll feeling, with Gods blue sky
above Us for a banner and the evil
dences of His mercy about us, con-
slant inspiration for good.
The DE- cOrations in all parts of the
city and it's suburbs we've most eiabo-
rate. Public buildings and private
dwellings were arrayed in gorgeous
drapery. Bunting of various cOlors,
flowers, laurel wreaths and notices
appropriate to the day. in good variety
and costly profusion, met the eye
wherever it rested. Old FaneuIl
Hall was nearly hidden under
dress of many colors. At the
State House and City Hall was a daz>
zling and magnificent display. Upon
the tower of the Old North Church
were two beautiful paintings. one rep
resenting Newman, the sexton, bang
ing o1t the lanterns, the other, Paul
Revere, awaiting the signal The
Church was also profusely trimmed
with bunting. The old Corner Book
Store at the corner of Washington and
School streets had The following in
scription: 'This building, one of the
oldest in tbs city, whose walls a cen
fury ago resounded to the tread of q
hostile soldiery marching upon Lex
ington, Concord and Bunker Hill,
reverberated the fierce cannOnade of
the memorable 18th of June, IT'S, and
echoed back the thunder of Wa hing
toms at guns Dorchester Heights. This
venerable structure was erected during
the reign of Queen Anne, a. D., 17l2.'
At the soldiers monument in Charles
town was exhibited magnificent floral
wreath, the gift OF the Maryland
troops. It bore the inscription,
Maryland tribute to Massachusetts.
1t is quite impossible to estimate
the number of people present at the [
Never before in our uni
verSal history have SO many people |
gathered here. Every body was here,
young and old, black and white, Jew
and Christian, and Notwithstanding
the hustle aud jam every body was 3
good natured. Hospitable people in |
nearly every section of the city kept |
open houses and fed the multitude.
Every time the procession halted, the
troops were pelted with cakes, apples,
oranges and ginger bread from win
dows and the roof of houses. Win
dows and balconies on the route of the
procession were in demand, as high as
one hundred dollars being paid for q
single window. In the evening, bon
fires, illuminat1ons and fire-works Kept
Boston and its surroundings in blaze
Of light. 1t was a memorable day, !
day pleasant to citizen and stranger
and day that will long be remember
ed by those who participated in or
were witnesses of it's ceremonies.
Near the base of the monument a
spacious tent was erected and at six
o'clock in the evening about 3, 600 peo-
pie gathered there to listen to appro-
pirate literary exercises.
Among the dignitaries present were
the Governor and staff, Vice President
General Burnside, and Hon.
Geo. B. Loring. Rev. Rufis Ellis, d
D., opened the meeting with prayer,
at the conclusion of which the Apollo
Club sang beautiful hymn entitled
prayer before the Battle
Charles Devins, Jr., the Orator of
the Day, was then introduced and re-
ceived with loud applause. The ora
rion was a mastery production, and
was listened to with close attention by
the audience. George Washington
Warren, President of the Bunker Hill
Monument Association was, then call
ed to the platform and made a brief
and pleasing speech, which was loudly
applauded. The Benediction was pro-