Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-06-18
BUNKER HILL
The Hub Bedecked in Centen-
nial Array.
10000 Patriots JOlllfying.

BosToN, June 17.-Few Of tbe three
hundred thousand inhabitants Of Boston Of
of the one hundred thousand strangers who
were quartered on the city last night,
needed the clangOr of the church bells OF
the thunder Of the salutes Of cannon 70
arouse them at sunrise to-day. The whole
town was astir at early dawn, and the
whistles of the locomotives that brought
heavy trains from the suburbs. had already
begun to resound across the cause-ways,
north and south Of the city. All the freight
business in all the railroads that enter the
city is suspended to-day, their passenger
carrying caracity is taxed to the utmost.
As early as eight o'clock some of the troops
began TO assemble on Boston Common in
preparation for the great review of the en-
tire body Of active Massachusetts militia
by Gov. CASTOR, and the sidewalks and
even carriage-Yays IN all that neighbor-
hood were densely thronged.
The Decoration
Of the Common and surrounding streets
are wonderfully effective. The balconies,
hag-staifs, arches, payiliUns, and even trees
are resplendent with gay and brilliant red,
whiteand blue. After early breakfast have
walked over the latter part Of the route
which the procession follows before it
reaches Bunker Hill. The decoration Of
the Washington street extension from
Corn Hill toward the Charles river bridge
was as effective as that around the Com
mon. The entrance Of the bridge is
spanned with blue arch, and appropriate
inscriptions appear there and at various
places throughout Charlesto8n, informing
strangers of localities in relation to the
events Of the battle; but notice eompar-
atively few sentimental mOttoes. The
arch is inscribed "Charles River; British
ships Of war lay in this river and cannon
AIDED Charlestown.a At Moulton's Point
there is an inscription pointing out the
landing place of the British troops and
giving The hour of their disembarkment.
The redoubt on
Breeds Hill,
where the monument stands, the line Of
rail fences slOping to the Mystic, and the
place on Bunker Hill where an attempt was
made 10 fortify and where Putnam tried in
vain TO rally the retreating COntinentals,
are all inscribed and are marked out as
distinctly as the changes in the tenets Of
the ground and its occupation with build
ings will allow. The pavilion in which
Judge Devans is to speak covers a great
part of the grass plat near the monument
and booths and pavilliOns of all kinds so
encumber the neighborhOOd that the place
is hardly recognizable.
The first feature Of marked interest in
the city proper was the grand review by
Gov. CASTOR and invited guests Of State and
city, Of the entire body of militia, and vis-
oA l.a a.
Gen. B. +. Butler commanded the review.
1t is estimated that there were from 49,
600 to 10000 men in line. The military
division was over two hours in passing the
State House.
The Grand Procession
was four hours and ten minutes passing a
given neipt, and was estimated to be ten
miles in length.
When the procession reached Charles
town, owing TO the lateness Of the hour,
the exercises were curtailed to about one
sixth. George Washington Warren pre-
sided and introduced Gen. Charles Devins,
Jr, as the orator Of the dag. The OratiOn
was confined to a graphic description Of the
battle and an eloquent appeal for the burial
of all political animOsities engeDdered by
the late war.
Gen. sherman
was introduced, and in the course Of his
speech said that to-day'5 pageant surpassed
anything of the kind be bad ever seen be-
fore. While the review of his own army
in Washington, at the close of the war, eX-
ceeded it in numbers, yet it was lacking in
many Of the attractive features Of to-day's
procession.
Succeeding Gen. Sherman, Cows. Hart
ranft, of Pennsylvania, Beadle, Of New
jersey, IugersOll, of Connecticut, Dingley,
Of Maine, and Vice President Wilson made
short addresses.
The number Of strangers in the city to-
day is estimated by parties who are com
petent judges az between 100000 and $780,
600.
At a late hour this evening, the streets
are thronged by crowds Of people, attracted
by the brilliant illuminations of the public
buildings.