Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-06-15

can be used for fire purposes, the water,
owing to the pressure, being thrown to a
hight Of some fifty feet. In addition a
third-class steam FIRE engine and a negro
hook and ladder company are q part Of
the fire department.
The city is we'll built, and before the
war was noted as a seat Of fashion,
wealth and learning, and even yet ~several
fine educational institutions are in a
aourishibg condition.
The city has many fine business houses
aud elegant residences. Three newspa-
perS are published here. The Advocate
is published and edited by Colonel A. R
Wiggsi the Independent by Messrs. W.
P. Newman and Frank Coleman, the
latter gentleman being formerly con-
nected with the Republican-Bsnne Of
Nashville. The Democrat is published
and edited by Colonel j. W. Clay. They
are all sterling Democratic journals, but
We believe differ somewhat on the Hayes
Southern policy and some other issues.
The people Of Huntsville are proud Of
their city, which n%estles in a beautiful
valley and is surrounded by hill sides
which give a charming appearance to the
scene. In every direction radiate mac.
sdamizsd roads, and on all sides fine
cultivated farms appear. No more fruit.
full country exists on the face of the
globe, and yet many there are who are
not contented and happy and who desire
to go West and grow up with the coun
try.
THE SOLDIERS ARRIVE.
At I o'clock this evening the Nashville
train arrived-fye carlo DIS of visitors,
including a host or galaxy of ladies who
wished to see the Porter Rifles win a vic.
tory over the Chicks, and also to attend
the bill, which comes off to morrow
night. The rain came down and the
streets we're dark, yet the Porter Rifles,
escorted by twenty members of the
Burns Light Artillery and headed by q
brass band, formed in line and marched
through the city. On arriving at the
Huntsville Hotel the citizens cheered
the Rifles and the latter responded.
In half an hour afterward, the Mem.
phis train arrived, crowded with visitors.
The Chicks and the Bluff City Grays,
headed by Arnold's brass baud, marched
up likewise to the hotel, aud we're re-
ceived most cordially. At Athens, Ala
bama, Colonel John R. Farmer, in the
name of the ladies Of that town, pre-
scented the Porter Rifles with a beautiful
wreath, which had the significant in
scription, "0n to Victory" Captain
Donelson responded in a happy man.
uer.
THE DRILL.
The judges Of the drill are as follows:
The Porter Rifles selected Major Gesrge
B, Russell, Of General Auger's staff; the
" Chicks selected Captain Pratt, OF the
Thirteenth regulars, stationed at Little
Rock, Arkansas; and these two gentle.
men to-day select the third Judge, Cap.
tain Hobart, Of the Thirteenth regulars,
two companies of which regiment are
st -tioned in this city at present. The
drill will come off tomorrow friday
afternoon, at the Fair Grounds, q charm
ing location, situated about half a mile
south Of the city. The prize, when
awarded, will be presented to the victors
by Mrs. c, G. Clay. An elegant stand,
decorated with ~evergreens and festooned
with national a4gs, has been fitted up for
the occasion.
As to which company will carry of the
honOrs, it is almost impossible 10 say.
Should the Chicks be defeated, the Mem
phis bellies who are here would 60 into
mourning; and should the Porter Rifles
be defeated, the Nashville bellies who are
also here would wear the cypress and
sorrow forever. The Huntsville ladies
are divided on the issue, but the major
ity Of them favor the Chickasaw Guards.
The public are likewise divided as to the
matter.
1t is impossible to give a list Of the
Memphians and Nashvillians who arrived
this evening, They are scattered all
over town, the citizens having taken
charge of scores Of them, and furnishing
them with board and lodging. This was
absolutely necessary, owing to the lack
of a sufficient amount of hotel accom-
mediation.
Mr.. Plummer, Of the Nashville Baa.
ner, and Mr.. Davies, Of the American,
are here to act as historians of the Por-
ter Rifles and their victory, tuti it is more
than likely that your correspondent
will have the pleasure OF ~recounting the
victory OF the Chickasaw Guards. The
" Chicks are all right, and are deter
mined to win if perfect drilling can ac-
complish such a result.
Tomorrow an immense crowd will be
in the city should the weather turn out
to be clear and pleasant, but should it
rain, as it did all day to-day, the citizens
say the military and other visitors a
attend the grand ball at night and on
Saturday the drill must come off The
people Of Huntsville seem determined to
have the drill at all hazards and w;ll