Daily Los Angeles herald., 1879-11-21

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19.-The So
eiety of the Army of the Cumber-
land had business meeting in the
forenoon. The meeting was called
to order by Gen. James A. Garfield,
who stated that, owing to the i'll
ness of the President of the Society,
Gen. p. III. Sheridan, he was una lie
to be present. Gen. Jefferson c..
Davis, Senior Vice-President, was
unanimously elected presiding Off.
Ger, and made brief address. Dis
trict Commissioner Phelps bid the
Society welcome to the city. Gen.
Slocum followed with short eulo.
gy upon Gen. George III. Thomas.
A communication was read from
Gen. Sheridan expressing deep re-
gret at his absence. After some
routine business the meeting ad-
journed and the members went to
their positions in the procession.
The city presented gala-day ap-
pearance. The streets are throng-
ed with people seeking places from
which to view the march of the AR.
my of the Cumberland and the un-
yelling of the statue of General
Thomas. Large numbers of flags
that were torn and riddled on
American and Mexican battle
fields were stretched across the
street and q well-eXecuted por-
trait of Gen. Thomas. The deco
rations at the Fourteenth street
circle, where the statue is erected,
are very rich. Around the circle
are thirty lofty poles united by a
rope of evergreen, each pole bear
ing the ensign aud coat of arms of
State, and panel commemorate
ing the battles in which the Army
of the Cumberland was engaged, or
the name of one of its deceased
general officers. At each of the
four corners OF the pedestal upon
which the statue stands there is q
pole corresponding with the poles
representing the States and f1anked
by stacks of muskets and field.
pieces, the spaces intervening
being ornamented with pyra-
mids of cannon balls; here, also,
a platform has been erected capa-
BILE of seating 1900 persons. The
platform for the speakers is within
this, and bears panels on which are
inscribed the names of Anderson,
Sherman, Buell. and RJsecrans. In
addition to these appear panels at
various points bearing the names
of Brigadier Generals Terrell, r. S.
McCook, Hill, Lytle, Harker ana
Samuel McCook, who were killed
in battle or died of wounds. Hun
dreds of other panels, scattered
throughout the decorations, are in
scribed with the names of all corps
and division commanders of the
Army of the Cum berland. Hand
some private residences around the
circle are also very tastefully deco
rated. The procession was formed
on Pennsylvania Avenue, near the
Capitol, and started promptly at
o'clock. The procession was form
ed of five divisions, and was one hour
passing a given point. sGen. e. T.
Crittenden WIS Chief Marshal.
Upon arriving at the Circle, where
the statue is placed, the ceremonies
of unveiling were begun by prayer.
"Hail Columbia" and "rhe Star
Spangled Banner" were sung by
grand chorus, with band, drum
corps and artillery accompaniment.
The statue was then unveiled, peo-
pie at distance being informed of
the fact by salute of thirteen guns
from Fort Whipple. Grand hymns
were then given by chorus of one
hundred male voices, supported by
military bands, drum corps and ar
tillery. AT the conclusion of the
hymns Stanley Matthews delivered
an oration. Presentation of the
statue was made as an offering
from the Army of the Cumberland
to the Nation, and President Hayes
accepted the offering on behalf of
the people of the United States.