New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-11
ELECTROMAGNETIC.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE SUR
PRISE AND CAPTURE OF THE FORT

VERMONT-ADDRESs OF wELCOas BY COL WM.
y. COLLABORATION BY THE REV. FIAvIys J.
COOK OF Observation-Disclosures BY COL wM. c.
JOYCE AND COL CoLE-LRrTER FROM SON OF
MEMBER OF ETHAN ALIENS ATTACKING PARTY.
rBY TELEGRAPH FROM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF
THE TRIBUNE.I
FORT TICoSDERoGA, ESSEX COUNTY N T., May
1O-lf not brilliant, the centennial celebration OF
the capture of Fort Tconderoga in all respects
eroditabe and far exceeds the expectations OF the
energetic patriotic gentlemen of Essex County, who
in the face Of the most adverse circumstances, have
struggled TO make it successful. The few deter
mined persons who gathered at the Fort at sunrise
10 witness the firing of the salute which began the
festivities found the clouds threatening the
worst of weather, and the roads mass OF
mud most dscOuraging 10 pedestrians Ihir-
teen guns were fred III honor of the - States
of the original Union, and then the little company of
spectators dispersed for a while expecting only the
most dolefu Of celebrations but before 10 o'clock
the clouds were disappearing, and the prospect
frightened hourly. The TicOnderoga people were
OF the first the ground after breakfast the
Committees of Arrangements and Finance extending
a most hospitable welcome tn all visitors from
abroad. The committees, upon whom devOlved the
burden Of the day, were composed ~ follows
Committee of Arrangements-E. T.. Wilson, James
Mccormick, Frank Buttel, of Post Weed, Grand
Army of the Republic, and T. NJ. Tobin, editor of
The Tio0nd1Ogd Sentinel
Finance Committee-W J. Bryan of Post Weed, F.
J. Arthur, I'd and John Barr.
Large arrivals fIem all of the principal towns of
Vermont and Northern New-YOrk, within half days
ride OF the of celebration claimed the at
tenti0n OF these Committees, and before noon the
scene was enlivened by the presence of number of
military and fire companies. and Posts of the Grand
of %. w oil nf
tlon- being accompanied 10y brass bands.
The first sensation was the arrival Of train of II
ear. laden with Green Mountain boys and Green
Mountain girls from Burlington Rutland and 81.
Adams. Then came the steamer Curlew from
Ncrgnnes, VT, whose representation claim that IT is
the oldest city of New-Engand. When the Curlew
came down Lake Champain all colors were
flying and her several hundred Passengers were re-
eeyed with music and cheers. The Montreal from
Burlington brought an immense crowd, overlooking
with enthusiasm. On this steamer
Post Stanard, Grand Army of the Republic,
comprising 50 men, and accompanied by the Shcr
man Band Of Wmoosld. the Ethan Allen Engine Com
pany. 40 men, under Capt. 4. s. Drew, and the fol-
lowing prominent citizens: Lielt.-Gov. Hinckley OF
Vermont Gen Geo. j. Stanard, Gen. Geo. b. Foster,
L. $. Marshall hero of the Fenian war on the
Canada border; Gen. BaTstow, L. s. Pension Agent;
Col. F. c. Spanlding, Gen. ". w. Henry, the Hon.
J. D. Hatch, and Col. Ferguson Of the
department staff G. A. T. Others, comprising
military or semi-military Organizatcsn, were
greeted with artillery firing and volleys Of
musketry, The Rutland delegation Roberts
Post t.. A. r.. 40 men, commanded by Capt. j.
II. Dryer, accompanied by band and drum corps
aud escOrting Col. Charles III. Joyce, member of
Congress, Col. Redfeld Proctor Prof Bradford, and
Others The Color Guard of Roberts Post carried the
of NAL ht-T lr
Chas. L. Allen of Rutland. Ethan Alien and Robert
florence were intimate friends when they were
young men, and exchanged guns for kcepsakes.
Robert Terrence gave his gun To his grandson Orleans
7. TOuence, from whom 1t was obtained b. its
present owner. With the Burlington party came the
Barlow Grays of st. Adams w., fine looking, we'll
equipped, and well drilled company. At about l
o'clock the procession formed in the following order
OF New -Yorh g. A. r.. Grand Marshal and Aids
Orators Of The day.
Sherman Comet Band Of Win0oskl
Ethan Allen En-.ne Company Of Burlington.
Vergennes band.
stephens hose Company.
Bristol Band and Drum Corps
Post Roberts q. A. r. of Rutland W
Post Stanard q. A. r. Of Burlington.
rcondeIoga Cornet Band.
Post Alfred Weed 6. A. X. OF TicOnderoga
Whitehall COrnet Band.
Citizens OF ltchall.
Port Henry COlIiet Band.
Citizens OF I1conIeIOga POft Henry, Ae1anulla' anu
other towns.
The procession thus formed was remarkable more
for the excellence of the material of which II was
composed than for the number of persons in line, or
the display of uniforms, regalia, and flags. The
routr lay along the path made famous by the sealthy
march OF Ethan Allen and his men. Although the
procession was not q long one, 1t presented pic
turesque appearance az the men in uniform climbed
the tortuous road around the face of the hill
and up toward the summit, their banners
fnttering in light Spring breeze, and their
bayonots gttering in the bright sunlight, which had
superseded the gloomy weather of early morning.
il was noticed with surprise that very small
proportion of the organized bodies in line were from
the State of NewYOrk the comparison III this respect
being decidedly in favor of Vermont. On the Gren-
adler Ba.t terry which passed by the procession
IA, was flying and there was planted the cannon
which during the morning had been kept hot with
discharges III saiutcs-
Arrived 1T the crsst OF the HILL the column halted
and formed In front OF the stand previously deslg-
mattel Tor the use of the speakers Of the day Hither
also came the crowd, before dispersed in groups all
over the grounds aud engaged III sightseeing ana
rclic-hunting. The people fairly swarmed among
the old rains pushed for places within earshot Of
the speakers, aud climbed upon tho crumbling walls
of the ruined fort 10 obtain desirable view, even
if hearing the actors IN the scene was ont OF the
question. 4 or TIC HrhO t'hc ulihS '4o u'S
il seemed 10 tba: there phase OF the ceie-
br.tior entirely worthy of the occasion. While the
crowd waited for the speakers 10 begin. and during
the delivery Of the opening prayer and some Of The
following exercises the audience WIS silent and
almost notiOnless and there arose spontaneously III
every mild q sense of contrast between the scene
and that Of 100 years ago. which, 20 the most prac-
,,ral and uns,ntimental must have caused u slight
thrill OF patriotic enthusiasm.
Patriotic airs by tho consolidated bandsintrodured