Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1875-05-28
THE PROCESSION,

The morning vas jubilaut with the
preparations Of tie day. at 10 a. NJ,
the procession began to form III Indie
pendence Square. Quickly it took ur
its line of march down Tryon street to
tho Fair Ground. The Richmond
Iowitzers headed the column to whom
had also been assigned the honor of
firing the Colonial salute of - guns.
Next came battalion of Richmond
Light Infantry, followed by the York
vile Cadets, of South Carolina. Next
came the battalion Of Light Infantry
from Fayetteville, and then on and on,
III endless array, came military com
panies, fire companies, Masonic lOjges,
Odd Fellows, knights Of Pythias,
Good Templars, Patrons Of Husban-
dry, Press organizations, carriages
with the orators and invited guests,
and citizens without number. Con-
spicuiOus in the prOco we were
delighted to see from Wilmington the
Rankin Fire Company, Hook and Lad
der Company No. 1, and the Fifth
Ward Independent Bucket Company.
accompanied by the 'Citizeus Cornet
Band and the Drum Corps of the Will
mington Light Infantry. One Of the
most noticeable feature OF the process
slon was a fine representation of the
ship "D!ligeDce," una;r the superv;s-
sion of Capt. VIM. \. Cumming, and
crew of Wilmington boys.
The drill, uniform and equipment
of each of these organizations were
superb, and all that the pyoudest Will
mingtonian could have wished.
Many of the military companies car
ried banners with historic inscriptions
and the whole procession marched
under gay strcamers suspended across
the streets, and alongside pnblic build
ings, stores and private residences
decorated with flags The martial
music was excellent and the entire
procession q splendid display, the
military portion OF which was under
command of Gen. Bradley L. John
son, of Virginia, and the whole direct
ed by Gen. ". r. Cox, as Chief. as
sisted by 80 field marshals.
The procession reached the Fair
Grounds at II NJ, and every portion
of it promptly took its appointed place
around the spacious stand erected for
the speakers, which was tastefuiiy
festooned with evergreens and plenti-
fully garnished with hornets nests.
one of which we recognized as the
contribution of Pender county. The
stand was admirably located, being
encompassed by ascending ground
forming natural amphitheatre and
enabling the speaker. to be seen and
heard from the remotest part of the
vast assemblage.
Among the most distinguished per
sonages whom We recognized upon the
stand, we at this moment recall Mrs
Stonewau Jackson and her daughter
Julia, Gov. Hendricks, of Indiana. the
Governors Of North and South Caro-
Ira, ex-Gov. Walker, of Virginia,
Judge II. l.. Davidson, of the Histo,
rlcal Society of Tennessee, Chief
Justice Moses, of South Carolina.
Mayor Kelley, Gen. Robt. Ransom
and Mr.. Hoxall, of the Richmond
Chamber of Commerce. Maj. Ficklin.
of the staff of the Governor of Vir,
ginia, Col. Cad Jones, of South Caro-
lima. Col. Horace M. Polk, of Tepnes-
see, Senator Merrimon, Gen. Cling
man, DIR. Chas. Phillips, Judge Settle
Judge McKoy, Wheeler, the Historian
Gen. D. H. Hill and ex-Gov. Vance
of our State. and Hon. A. MI. WaddelI
and Mayor A. Ell. VanBokkelen. of our
city.
The Citizens Cornet Band of Raleiob
had seats upon the platform, and at
intervals discoursed music from the