The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-30
RHODE ISLANDS CENTENNIAL.

WI
COMMUNICATION OF THE REVOLUTIONARY
BATTLE OF PORT sMourH HEIaHrs-A IRIL-
LIANT MILITARY AND CIVIC CELEBRATION
SPEECHES BY GOVERNOR VAN zANDr AND
OTHERS. kifNt- fUtA MH4
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
Uil NEWPORT, August 20, 1878.
No better day could have been selected for the Gen.
tennia celebration of the battle OF Rhode Island at
Portsmouth than to-day has bceu. The cele-
bration -tooK place on the spot where the
battle was fought. II is estimated that i've
thousand people were present. The redoubts and
intrenchments the top OF Butts hill were visited
by large numbers Tho adjacent fields were hronged,
and hundreds OF country vehchss were visible upon
every hand. 1t was gala day for the residents OF
the towns OF South Portsmouth, Newton, Iiverton,
Little Compton and Niddletown. hundreds wero
also present from Providence, Newport and other
sections OF the State The Putnam Pnalanx OF
Hartford arrived at Providence early this morning
from Oak Bluffs. and we're received by the
Providence Light Infantry Veteran Association, and
escorted 10 Exchange place, where they were re-
csived by the First light infantry regiment. Tho
line was formed with GeneralA. f. Burnside as Grand
Marshal ana Colonel William Goddard as aide, aud,
marching to the wharf, embarked for Bristol Terry.
tho river. IJni,ed States Senator Anthony Congress-
Eaines and Ballou, and many OF the prominent
residents Of the State, accompanied the miitary
from Providence Arriving at Bristol ferry the New
port Artillery Veteran Association, under es-
cort Of the Newport artillery, beaded by the
FIRST United States artillery pand. were wait.
ing to receive them. Governor Van Zandt and
staff in waiting at the Bristol Ferry Hotel and
by the military TO the battlefield, some
two miles distant The iarmhouses along tho route
were handsomely decorated with flags and bunting
After The COMPANY were seated in the tent Mr..
George Manchester. in behalf OF the town Of Ports
mouth. welcomed the guests In q happy speech me
which he rsi.rrsa to the battle and the
events preceding and resulting from It In concluding
his address he said:-A hundred years have
passed since that memorable day. the war clouds
rolled from this battle ground were the last
that have darkened the sun Of Rhooe Island
hundred harvests have since been gathered IN anc
these fields since the tramp OF hostile armies
shook The land. And now the grandsons ana
this soil modern Marathon have met TO 90 honor TO
tueir memory. Nay the principles Of liberty, Of
justice ana OF TRUTH which mere were vndicated 10
their noi1 upon tho hearts OF their descendants cut
may they 60 down to remotest the legacy
example OF the wise aud good "o the latest sya-
be OF recorded time; while Of those who perished
here II shall be said
On fumes eternal camping ground
Ftyf Their silent tents are spread 7rH
AnS hs Uysa ass, S tS w' asad foana
FESTIVITIES.
After tho address the tent was cleared, a. II was
found necessary 10 provide dinner for the military
ana The guests OF Providence Veterans Associa
ton. A genuine Rhode Island dinner OF clans ana
their 'sixins' was partaken or Several excellent
spesches wore the clans had been properly
and patrioticaly discussed. The first speaker was
HIS Exceiency Governor Van Zandt who maze one
OF his characterisIc speeches. IN which he alluded
in the follow ing pleasing terms 10 the English men
DIV ar ut anchor IN Newport harbor:-
every breeze bears upon its wings the music Of
the past and ionighL my friends, wnsn the sunset
gun fires from yonder lori tort Adams) and It's
echoes caught by the great echoes oil the great
ships furled thor white wings In the blue
harDor of Newport, Snd finally die away ON
yondsr NILS tonight the tattoo will rattle out from
the drqms just 1t dd 100 years ago. Again, In the
dIlerent. Tor then the British 1ect lay there upon
hostile GRAND. Then the drums we're beat at the set
OF 10 usher In the bloody Tray OF coming day now
they here upon peaceful 10 ssion bearing
this Republic from one OF tbs bcst II not
the best OF graced the throne Of any
country in Europe or the world" F
Tho Governor warmly appauded, and It was
evident that the above remarks were the sentiments
Of the vast assembly. Other remarks were made by
MAJOR Brown, Of Putnam Phaianx; Judge Advocate
Josiin, vi Governor Huobards staT; keprose tatve
Colt, or BRISTOL; Professor Dimsn of Brown Univer-
Nathaniel Greene, president Of the Rhode Island
Society OF tho Cincinnati, who, by the way,
were present body, and this gentleman
read an graph letter from his great grandfather
General Nathunsl Greene, OF revolutionary fame,
written 10 his vile on horseback on the day OF the
battle, 100 years ago to-day. l-
This finished the exercises OF tho day, and by six
O'Clock the fields cleared and the visitors had
embarked Tor nome. The Putnam Phalanx camc 10
this city nder escort oil the Newport Artillery, who
entertained them this evening" Tomorrow they Will
make u street parade before returning home.