The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-26
The TweR.y-secoRd i'm Charleston.
carolina aut, Virginia.

fccrresponGence OF ,he Richmond Dispaich.l
CHARLESTON, s. c., February %, 1878.
II YOU could give me the space OF your
whole paper, With 3 supplement" added,
I could not begin to report in full all of the
scenes. doings, and sayings OF this grand
dav. can only attempt bird's-eye view.
For years prior 10 the war it had been a
custom in Charleston to celebrate with great
Eclat the natal day OF the Father OF his
Country. hut since the disastrous issue OF
our second war for independence the spirit
Of other Gays had wellnigh faded out. Last
wear. however, these gallant Carolinians
were so sure that they had won their lnde-
pcndcncc under the lead OF the chiyalrlc
Hampton that they were arranging Tor
Grand celebration when orders from ~thesc
headquarters" reminded them that the des-
Dot's heel WIS still upon their shores by
iorb:dding the military companies TO turn
out. This year, however, all was differ ent,
and the most extensive preparations were
made to celebrate at once the birthday Of
Washington and the newborn freedom OF
Carolina from chains far more CALLING than
the British yoke.
We yirgiuIans are peculiarly happy in
being the guest OF South Carolina at such a
time is this.
The weather was most auspicious. A
clear. bright day, so balmy that spring
clothes were in requisition, dawned upon
city on the tiptoe OF expectancy, and as
early as G O'Clock in the morning bright
uniforms. gay trappings, handsome dresses,
nar4, and flowers might be seen hurrying
in every direction. The line was formed at
7 O'Clock, and the military display was 4
magnificent success in every respect.
The volunteer organization OF Charleston
(and, indeed. Of the whole State) is very far
III advance OF anything we bave III Virginia.
Called into existence by the absolute neces-
silly Of having some protection Tor the fire.
sides and alars OF the white people Of the
State. these volunteer companies are COM
posed largely OF The veterans who made the
glorious record OF South Carolina in the
late ..war between the States" and are Of
fcered by men whose names are not I'M
known 10 lame in the annals OF our heroic
struggle.
There were in line to-day the following
commands:
Carolina Rifle Battalion, Colonel c.. r.
vine Walker, so men; the Seventeenth
South Carolina regiment, 212 men, COM
mandcd by Major w. j. Gayer; the First
regiment Of Rifles, 291 men, commanded by
Colonel VI. L. Trenholm; the Artillery
regiment, 254 men, commanded by Major
Augustus T. Smythe: the German Hussars,
So strong. commanded by Captain Gerhard
Ricckc; the Light Dragons, commanded
by Captain Jervey IAN old V. NJ. l. boy);
and our own Walker Light Guard, com
manded by Captain Binford, 40 rank and
file.
At 0 O'Clock there was a brigade inspec-
ton on the Citadel Green bv General Noise,
the Adiutant- General Of South Carolina,
which was witnessed by an immense con-
course OF people, and from this point the
troops moved to Meeting street, where the
line was formed preparatory to the grand
review by Governor Hampton, General Lee,
and others, which was to follow. Along
the whole line OF march the sidewalks were
packed with people, while the balconies,
windows, and roofs were all occupied by
women and children. There was a short
interval OF Subdued expectancy, when a
cheer at the extreme end OF the line an
nounced the presence Of Governor Hamp-
ton and bis retinue.
The Governor, General Lee, General Lo-
gan, ard General He!ll, were Ill citizens
dress; but Generals Bradley 7. johnson,
Sicgling, Rutledge, and Noise, and the large
number Of staff officers, We're in full uni
form Confederate gray, and made hand
some appearance rs they galoped down the
lines. The scene presented as Hampton
and his retnue, with uncovered heads,
dashed down the lines amid the waving OF
handkcrchiefs by the ladies and the deafen-
ina cheers OF the multitude, Was inspiring
bevond description. After inspecting
the lines Governor Hampton and his
party toGk their stand on the Bat
tcrv while the troops marched past
in review. The Walker Light Guard
was given the post Of honor on the right Of
the line. and as they marched in front OF
the column, with precision Of drill and
accuracy OF movement which excited great
admiration, they were everywhere received
with the iiyelieSt demonstrations OF wei
come. Ladies waved their handkerchiefs
or showered bouquets upon them, and at
every turn they were greeted with signit-
cant notices, such rs "WELCoME, VIRGIN
IAxs!" Indeed. 8 Welcome" has been
written all over Charleston ever since we
have been here.
The scene at the Battery was even more
inspiring than any before witnessed. The
Governor, his visitors, and his staff and
escort, were drawn up under the shade OF
the beautiful trees at the head Of Church
street. The crowd was even denser than at
any point before, and as the different COM
mands marched by with bands playing and
banners waving, and I looked from this
splendid array Of brave men and fair women
across the beautiful harbor to Pinckney, and
Moultrie, and glorious old Sumter, iustas the
artillery moved into battery and fired their
salute, the memories awakened and the emo
tions excited were indeed too deep for ut
terance.
And now the parade was dismissed and a
season for refreshment granted, during
which lunches were served at all Of the
armories and many OF the private resi-
dcnces. General Seigling entertained the
field, staff, and company officers and invited
guests in prlncely style at his elegant home
on the Battery.
AT ] o'clock an immense audience assem-
bled at Military Hall to attend the anniyer-
sary celebration OF the Washington Artil-
lery. This hall, one OF the most beau.
tiful in the country, had been built
before the war by the enterpris-
ing liberality OF the military compa-
nies and their friends, but had been
taken possession Of by tbenegroes, and was
used to-day for the first time since the war
by its rlghtiill owners. The hall was beau
tiiuily decorated to-day, and the scene as
one looked out from the platform was very
animating !; but when Governor Hampton,
General MCGOWAN, General Lee, General
Logan, General ueth, and others, entered
the hall the crowd rose to their feet and
cheered Justify.
y The oratfon on the OCCASION was deliver
cd by General Samuel McGoWan, who WAS
Ju I'm rst,x sv,s the Pt0VS "a Nnrfhern