The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-04-13
A GALA OCCASION.
DEPARTURE OF THE n. n. LEE.


7.
departure Tor the last time from our city
OF that noble steamer. the Robt. l.. Lee,
the champion Of the mighty Mississippi,
which left making her last trip, which
is to Louisville. where her soul will be
transferred to the new steamer which is
to every true heart throughout the
length aud breadth of our land.
At the landing at the foot Of Canal
street the wharves of every steamer and
available position were crowded with
citizens, tladies and gentlemen who had
come to SEQ the champion back out for
the last time from the landing which
will know her no more.
And along our whole city front every
wharf and available spot, from the
lower limits Of the city to the old stock
Landing and at Carrollton. were
crowded with people who came to take
last, long. lingering look at the noble
steamer about whose name, and about
whose self linger so many pleasing.
touching, proud and holy memories.
SHORT SUMMARY.
Yes. the departure II the Robt r.. Lee
last evening was a grand occasi IN It
was understood that this noble steamer
was to make her congo to our people, to
return, after career OF uneXampled
brilliancy, to the stocks from which ten
years ago she came n model Of beauty,
symmetry and power. Hence the out
pouring OF Southern feeling and enthu
sasm, the crowd OF our best people
4 hc r.. ,tnt =
the noble steamer which. even If she
had not proved grand success in
material point OF view. in the immortal
name she bore commanded the pro
foundest regard, and ELECTED the warm
est manifestation Of tho earnest en-
thusasm Of our people No other vessel
had ever achieved such splendid tri-
umphs in her sphere Of useful
ness, in her grand mission Of suceor-
ing PROSTATE section and people,
and helping to restore their fortunes
and promote the peaceful arts which
have smoothed SO many Of the wrinkles,
and obliterated SO many Of the scars Of
q civil war In the ten years Of her IN
interrupted career the Lee has carried
300, 900 passengers and 1,0O0,Oo0 bales
of cotton, besides many, many thou
sands Of tons Of seed and other down
freight. and millions of packages III NJ
freights, without the loss Of a life or Of
u bale Of cotton. or Of serious accident of
any kind. What volumes Of praise does
this speak for her veteran commander.
Capt. JDo w Cannon. and his able
assistants.
RETIREMENT
The retirement If the Robt e. Ice.
after SO brilliant career. still strong
and beautiful in her age. with such q
record Of service, suggested to, and
eliciteu from. the ten thousand who
Witnessed the impressive spectacle the
reininiscence Of that most touching Of
all the scenes in the history Of the South,
when our great chieftain bade last
farewell TO the remnant Of those brave
men. who. for four years. had followed
his white plume through the war
which with all its sacrifices and disas-
ters. gave at least to history and his
loved South the noblest name and
character of modern or indeed of
ancient times.
THE ARTILLERY DETACH MENT.
1t had been determined that on her
departure salute should be fired in
honor Of the champion, and this honor
foil to the lot Of Battery u. Washington
Artillery Battalion. Capt Eugene May.
A detail Of two sections was made rs
follows.
First Junior Lieutenant NJ. J. Beebe
in command.
First section Sergeant, r. RI. Me-
Corporal, w. Fl. Beanham w. G. Giffen,
w II. Brown, o. r.. Phelps, Jno. Y
Fraser, l.. r. Sauve, Il. N. Haiies, L. G.
Phelps. j. w Frellsen.
Second section Sergeant, A. Sambola;
CORPORAL, VIM Mathes Caisson Cor
poral, J. o. Jackson; Danl. Kelly, J,
w. Bamare, g. j. Freret, n. Miller, Jno.
Miller. M. CHASER. who. with two twelve
FOUNDER Napoleon guns, took position
upon the levee, between the tracks Of
Morgan's and the Chattanooga Rail
roads.
BACKING oUT.
Shortly after o'clock the bell Of the
Lee tapped to back out Slowly the
mighty wheels revolved, and the noble
steamer moved proudly away from her
landing SO crowded was the champion
with passengers for CarrolIton on her
last trip that the steamer itself was oil
most hidden from view. The post mill
tary band stationed in front of the cap
tain's room on the hurricane deck,
struck up an iuspiriting air, and then
from the bronze throats Of the Napole-
ons belched forth the loud, laundering
farewell Of twenty-five guns. being the
first salute Cheer after cheer rent the
mir. and waving hats and handkerehiefs
filled the air.
ROUNDING TO.
A fter backing out the Lee rounded to
and ran down stream to q point nearly
abreast of the Morgan Railroad Depot,
where she rounded to again and turned
her Prov UP stream. Faster and faster
the mighty wheels revolye, and soon
the gallant steamer is coming
swiftly by our city front. The
steamers lying at the wharves. the
ferry landing, the wharves themselves,
with people anxious to see the champion
And now the noble steamer has reached
st. Louis street, when the Canal Street
Ferry let loose her whistle. To this the
Lee replied with salute from the gun
upon her forecastle deck. Then steamer
after steamer joined in uproarious Whis-
tie Of fare WE'LL and from the NapoleOns
on the levec again belch forth q thun-
dering good-by (the second salute Of 22
guns, shout and cheer from human
tbroats swell the enthusiastic air, which
is white with waving hands and hand
kerchiefs.
''One touch Of nature etc.
The enthusiasm Of the occasion has
spread across the water, and now ~
seen q very beautiful incident. As the
champion got abreast OF Canal street,
10 from the United States steamer "a
nonicus. living in the river, is first seen
the fash and then is heard the boom