The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-20
The Tribute Of the Army Of the Cum
berland to Its Dead Hero.
UNWILLING THE THOMAS STATUE.
Splendid Accomplishments of the I'm
posing Ceremony.
ARTILLERY CHORUSES and sALVOES.
All Branches of the Government
Swelling the Pageant.
[sY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ]


(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 10, 1879.
"But one event in the history of Washington ever
assembled ~ many people together As the cererno-
MES attendant upon the unwilling of the statue of
General George II. Thomas to-day. and that was the
review Of the army ut the close of the war; But
event can possibly ever surpass the enthusiasm
iested and that would be the third Inauguration Of
General Grant"
This remark Of prominent gentleman gives bet
tor idea of the grandeur and magnitude OF the cee
braon to-day to those familiar with the assembling
Of the people in Washington on Inauguration
days than . detailed account of the affair
could possibly convey. The four broad ave-
and streets interesting Victory Circle.
whore the statue stands. were at the
hour appointed Cor the commencement of the exer-
eisss. literally paved with people, the solid
extending the distance OF square from the outer
edge of the circle while every inch Of ground within
the radius of the circle packed with soldiers and
civilians. The housetops aad overlooking mounds
looked like parterres.
The programme was faithfully carried out, al
though the batteries Of artillery had great difficulty
in getting into line to fire the salvoes which were to
accompany the music. The President and all the
members Of the Cabinet. the Justices Of the
Supreme Court. the Speaker Of the House. Sem
ators. Representatives. judges and all the
members OF the diplomatic corps were
compelled to make their way through the crowds
before they could roach the places assigned them
the platform. Every preparation for the success OF
the ceremonies carefully made one. and that
was for the host Of people that congregsted the
spot where the statue stands.
Tonight the public buildings are brilliantly ilfu-
minated. 40 we'll as many of the residences Of the
prominent citizens. Nearly every house is dec
GRATED with bunting and evergreens. The tent
where the reunion exercises was held was filed
With 10000 people. while many more were con-
lent to walk about the parks and grounds south of
The State Department. looking 1t the first illumina-
ton Of this grand structure.
Tho absence Of military organizations from the
North in the procession was very noticeable, the
only companies in line being the Washington Light
Infantry corps. Of this city; the Alexandria (va)
Light Infantry. the cadets Of st. Johns Academy,
Alexandria. Va; the Bond Guard. of Cstonsville
No. commanded by Captain Barnotte. . Con-
federste ofacer; the Richmond Light Infantry
Blues. commanded by Captain John 8. Wise. q
son of Ex-Governor II. A. Wise and brother of o.
Jennings Wise. killed at Roanoke; the Governors
Guard. Of Annapolis. Nd; the Norfolk City Guards
Of Norfolk Va. the company that visited this city
afew months ago and caused attack to be made
upon them by the Grand Army OF the Republic be-
cause Of their failure to carry United States
nag. Another noticeable fact was that the only
representatives. from the Grand Army of the Re-
public were from Baltimore. none of the posts at
the North being in the procession. The majority of
the officers and members Of tho military organize
tons were In the Southern army, excepting the
regular troops.
The city tonight presents . scene not equalled
since the carnival in 1871. Along Pennsylvania
nue. and the other principal streets Of the city every
house 10 illuminated. The hotels are particularly
brilliant. Calcium lights are distributed ct diff
fersnt points in the city. and the vicinity of the
White House and Treasury Department fireworks
dazzled the eye until late hour. The front of the
Executive Mansion was almost hidden from view
by the drapery Of Aags.
THE PROCESSION.
The procession was formed on PENNSYLVANIA
avenue the Capitol and started promptly at ono
O'Clock. First came Gordon OF the Metropolitan
police clearing the way for General I. T. Crittenden
the grand marshal. and his STAFF escorted by the
mounted veterans of the Fifth United States
cavalry. The frat division included veterans of
the Mexican War. the Grand Army. several
bands and the Grand Army drum corps In the
second division were General H. v. Boyton, marshall
President Hayes Mr. Stanley Matthews the orator OF
the dayl the Cabinet Ministers diplomatic corps,
the civil dgnitaries Of the federal State aud dis
trct governments the Societies OF the Armies of
Cumberland, Ohio, the Potomac. the Tennessee
and the James and General Buell.. In the
third division were General Il. A. Carman, marshal.
General sherman and staff and Generals Hancock.
6choneld. Mcdowell. Jef. G. Davis, Augur, Crook
Alvord. Marcy. Wright and Myer and their stats.
each representing military department They
states artillery and followed by minor army officers
The fourth division included General u. +. Grafton
marshal; Admiral Porter. Vice Admiral Rowan the
Inu Irrfp and Nnn asaRaa
Commsndsnt Of the Marine Corps and all the Chiefs
Of bureaux in the Navy Department. with their STATS
United States steamers Portsmouth, Saratoga and
passaic. In the Fifth division Colonel s. II.
veteran corps and the Washington City Fire Depart
ment.
The procession moved up Pennsylvania avenue to
Fifteenth street. past the Treasury. where an i'm
mense concourse assembled to the White
House. where the President. Secretary sherman.
Secretary Evarts. Secretary McCrary. Secretary
Thompson. Secretary schurz, Postmaster General |
Key and Mr.. Webb Hayes occupied seats upon plat |
the head Of the Procession pro- played HAL to the
Chief" The President and those the stand
acknowledged the salute of each successive band
and division The marines. the artillery. |
marching infantry. and the boys from the train
ing ships were complimented by the President and
ON. when opportunity offered. between the return
Ing OF salutes After the procession had passed tho
carriages for the circle. Attorney General Devens
was not on the stsnd. He and Mrs. Hayes and Mrs.
Stanley Matthews left for the circle before the pro-
cession appeared.
ExERcIsEs CIRCLE.
At the circle the Presaent and Cabinet took the |
for them. Tho crowd ut the circle was one OF tho
largest ever gathered here. save. perhaps on some
Presidential inaugural occasion. Tho exercises
here Of very interesting character,
aud somewhat novel far as the musical
programme concerned, which included an
artillery accompaniment to the hymns. There was
prayer by tho Rev. DR.. Paxton. OF tho New York
Avenue Church, who served during tho last war as a
In In
was followed BY HAL TO tho Chief" by the Marine
md, and the ''Star Spanged Banner" rendered by
the male chorus OF over one hundr ed voices accom-
battery OF the Second artillery. under COM
mand OF Captain Pennington. from Fort McITenry
1.-THE spot wher the hsg hoated when inspired the
aouRL and uatterY O. of the Third artillerx conn