The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-07-10
The Day We Celebrate was passed in

event of the day was the parade and drill
of the Groome Guards. The morning was
most propitious for military display, and
at an early hour, the Elkton Band reused
up the town with some patriotic airs, and
| the Guards in pursuance of orders, assem-
bled at their armory at o'clock, and falling
in line, paraded through some of the streets
and down to the Landing. accompanied by
the Elkton Band, where boats were in wait
| ing. The Guards, with number of invited
guests and the musicians, pushed out from
the wharf little after o'clock, with drums
beating, Band playing and flags floating in
the clear sunlight from the bow of each
boat. As the party glided over the smooth
bosom of the Elk, the rowers keeping time
to the music, banners unfolding in the gen.
tie breeze. the bright new uniforms of the
Guards, and polished rifles cleaning in the
morning sur, the scene had highly pic
turesque and military effect.
Mr.. VIM. T. Boulder had invited the
Guards to partake of his hospitality and
commemorate the day in a pleasant pic
mic at his place, "Locust Point" on Elk
river, five miles below Elkton. About 10
o'clock the boats landed short distance
above Mr.. Boulden's house, and disembark-
ing, the Guards formed and marched down
to the grove which surrounds his house,
where they stacked arms, broke ranks and
scattered under the shade trees. Mr.. Boul-
den, whose guests they were for the day,
met the company at the landing and well
comeed them to the cool shades and hospi-
talities of "Locust Point" Neighbors,
friends and acquaintance continued to ar
rive in carriages and boats till the grove
was filled with company numbering two
hundred, among whom were fair repre-
sentation of ladies whose presence added
piquancy, beauty and esprit to the occasion.
A sumptuous dinner was spread on long
tables beneath a double row of willows,
whose dense foliage excluded every ray of
sunshine, and the large assemblage to do
honor to the occasion, were, for time,
agreeably employed in discussing the boun-
tiful repast, served with such overlooking
hospitality by their large hearted host and
his amiable lady. The care of the host
was to see that all were served, and none
overlooked, and right royalty was this duty
performed and no less cordially enjoyed
by the large company assembled to do honor
to the occasion on that pleasant spot, the
view from which expands for miles down
the noble river; and on that glorious day
the water cleaned like silver beneath the
bright rays of July sun.
After the repast target firing by the men,
bers of the Guards commenced. A target
two feet square, with bulls eye six inches
in diameter, and broad black lines cutting
it at right angles across the board, was
placed $50 yards distant. The rifles used
we're the breech-loading Springfield army
rifle. Though but few shots struck the
first target, the firing was what would be
considered destructive in battle, the shots
being low and generally line shots. The
following is the score of shots which struck
the target: Calvin Merritt, one line shot;
Taylor Strickland, bulls eye; ]. Howell
line shot; w. T. Boulder and W. A. Wright
struck the target, but did not make line
shots. Five shots being all that struck the
small target at $50 yards range. The posi-
ton of the target was not well chosen for
accurate firing, having a plowed field for
back ground, which made it difficult to
sight. Two rounds were fired by each men,
Der of the Guards with the above result;
when a target feet inches square, with
bulls eye 10 inches in diameter, was placed
$50 yards distant, and the firing commenced
with much better success, as the following
score will show. This result we attribute
in great measure to the more favorable
position of the long range target, which
had green background, and made
much better mark for the aim. The line
shots and shots penetrating the bulls eye
are so designated, all others mentioned
struck the target but were not line OF bulls
eye shots: D. L. Sloan, bulls eye; Calvin
Merritt, one shot in line, two others in tar
get; George Rash; J. B. Meyer, line; J.
Howell, one in line and one in target; w.
T. Boulder, three shots; w. V. Hunt, DR..
Tuft, T. George, R. Falls; ]. T. Gallaher,
two shots, ]. NJ. Bowen, two shots; Geo.
Alexander, two shots; F. Atkinson, Taylor
Strickland, Capt. w. G. Purnell; Chas. w.
Maxwell, volunteer, fired one shot, strik-
ing the target
The party, after the firing, retired to the
house, where they were RECALLED with cool
drafts of delicious lemonade, and having
spent a most delightful day, took leave of
their kind host, pulled out into the stream
with banners flying, drums beating, and
the band playing lively air.
Every thing passed off most pleasantly
without disagreeable incident to mar the
pleasures of the day; day of enjoyment
to all and to none more than the dispenser
of such liberal hospitality.
We see by a published card that Mr..
Boulder is candidate for Sheriff this Fall.
A plain, honest, straight forward farmer
waving party affiliations and allegiances
out of view-the type of man the farmers
ought to rally around, in preference to the
tricky demagogue, whose only recommends
ton is knowledge of the low devices prac-
ticed by men who make trade of politics
in order to make living out of them, and
caring but little for the welfare of the pub
lie.
THE REHoBoTH CAMP MEETING.-On
Wednesday next, the camp meeting at
Rehoboth Beach begins, and the encamp
ment will be about the same size as last
year. The same tent space has already
been taken, and about all the tents of the
Association are engaged. Rev. DIR. New
man, formerly chaplain to Congress, and
who has just returned from trip around
the world, and DR.. Dashiell, Missionary
Secretary, will each be present and preach.
The four Owen county, Kentucky,
prisoners were brought before Judge Bal
lard on Wednesday, and sentenced to two
and three years confinement in the pen-
Tertiary for Ku-Kluxing.
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