The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-10-27
poNurs TO THE CHIEFTAINS WIDOW
AND DAUGHTER.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS.
DECORATIONS, ILLUMINATION, AND
FIREWORKS.

Clear, bold, and distinct, day Of all days,
Yesterday stands out in the annals Of Rich
u,nd marking au occasion Of universal joy,
pacesntry OF extraordinary splendor, and
ceremonies Of deep and abiding interest.
With the first gray stresks of dawn its record
commenced. The drums and bugles sound
Ing the reyeilIe from the military quarters
asoke, 100, the slumbering citizens and hur-
ried them from beds of repose TO join the
rushing nutitudes that early filled the streets
In the heart Of the city, on the principal
business thoroughfares, on the fashionable
avenues, as we'll as in distant suburbs, activity
prevailed For the time Richmond ap-
peared in new and wonderful character.
She was metropolis gayer and lovlier than
Paris Fresh life and unwonted vigor seemed
infused into her veiDs. The old life and its
sluggish current vas gone. Instead of the
leisurely movements of people following or
binary business pursuits there were seen
crowds dashng hurriedly along, jostling
each other, striving to get in the best
places, With eagerness in their eyes and ex-
pecta!ion in their faces.
Trains scTeeehng and whistling emptied
upon the streets coach after coach of pas.
sengcrs; vessels sailing mp the placid waters
Of the James lsnded additional hundreds at
our wharvts; canal-boats brought their por-
tion, and greater number Still, on foot, or
n vehicles, poured in over Mayo's bridge
and the Free bridge and by every road and
pathway leading into the city.
Business was not only suspended but for.
gotten. Who could attend to the puny de-
tails Of every. day life, who could piod over
Iedgcrs, or worry with hammer or saw, when
outside of his Goor events were transpiriDg
sufficient 10 stir every i.tart and to call back
10 life long. buried memories? For the time
TIE great multitude Of re pc dropped care,
and hope Of gain, and all sordid thoughts,
ald with soul aud spirit gave themselves up
10 The grand occasion.
IN the early part OF the day, while the pro
se>son was being formed the throngs Of
men, woRen, and children were largest on
BToad, and Frarkliu, and Grace streets.
Every body seemed 10 meet everybody they
ever knew. Old friends long separted In
many instances met unexpectedly. Many
veterans who divided the last bareback with
each other at Appomattox Courthouse and
then parted to pursue their separate and un-
certain paths in life came face to face, and
with hu>ky voices and hearty hand shakes
renewed their friendship. And the
procession, how gorgeous it was. Nature
wore her most winning smile, and made
mere brilliant the bright eoIors in the line.
90, who can ever forget the appearance OF
lie Confederate veterans, the inspiring music,
tAe waving banners representing all peoples,
the cleaning bayonets Of the infantry, the
red plumes of the artillery, the praDcing
horses OF the cfvaIry. the regaha Of the civic
societies, the carriages filed with iliustrious
Nrginians, the flashing uniforms and appa-
iaIus Of the Fire Department, the tens of
Thousands who looked with admiration
upon The procession. Beyond all, who
that witnessed the ceremonies at the
tlpi.oi Square, and has heart to feel,
and sympathies that can be aroGsed, can
1T them fade from his memory. Forty thou
sand people in sight Of the stand; tbe.feryid
prayer to GOD AID the uncovered assem-
-'lage; the opening address; the oraticR Of
she day; the anpeAing of the statue, and the
e4eers and sasyo. Of artillery that shook che
earth as lis greeting; the presentation of
Of Ssonewall Jackson, and her
triuppbant reception by soldiers and cits-
ztnsj all these must be ineReably craven
Upon Toe minds Of those who were present,
Of the youug, who will transmit to
the impressions with more than
'.le glance OF romance.
The Procession:
The labor OF forming the procession was
no enlal one, but 1t was as quickly done As
could have been expeciei. By II O'clock it;
"as ready to move, and the oIder 10 march
Mas given.
Dttaehn.ent of City Police.
Chief Mayshal, General Jo.eph Il. Johnston,
4 ids, ssi6 Sisf.
<9loDel BIT. Jobbson, Commanding Military, |
and Vi Gfieefs.
hessnlch's Fiist Virginia Regiment Band,
- Sixteen Pieces. ]