New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-11-21
A GRAND RECEPTION AND BALL.
BRILLIANT sPFCrAcLEs-TnE PRESIDENT GLAD TO
SEX OLD COMRADES.

SEX OLD COMRADES
ley TELEGRAPH THE TRDUSE.I
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20.-To-nght the members Of
the Army of the Cumberland and their friends were
the guests of President and Mrs. Hayes. Ii was the
first reception at the White House after the Sum
mcr's renovation. The Presidential mansion was
beautiful AS il was tonight. the floral
decorations being extremely fine. The whole
lower floor, including the ordinary end the
state dining-rooms, the halls. the red. the
blue. and the green rooms, and the row dazzling
east room were profusely decorated with flags and
festoons The large mantes were heaped with
choice cut flowers, and every corner aud recess and
window filed with shrubs and tropical plants
many of which reached the ceiling Tho crystal
chandeliers in all the rooms were hung with choice
vines. The best pictures Of General Thomas were
on the walls, and in large space on the east
wall of the east room were arranged the
names of prominent officers of the Army
OF the Cumberland who were killed in ac-
tioD. Below these were the names of all
the principal battles fought by that scattered
among flags and cyergrecns. The President and
Mrs. Hayes took the place IN front Of this beautiful
war tablet. The Society Of the Army Of the Cum
berland with General Buell. in advance marched in
and presented. They brought with them
visiting military companies from Richmond To
the President the reception was evidently like q
gathering of old friends and not by any means like
the annual and formal receptions. II was a most en-
joyable social affair. Mrs Hayes gave close and
constant attention to the preparations and never
worked more enthusiastically than on this occasion.
Ii supposed that the honOrs done the mem
bers Of the Army of the Cumberland would cumin-
ate with the White House reception, and that the
veterans would atterward take leave of each other
at the musical promenade IN the grand tent but
the storm blew down tie tent, and the gale Of TO-
day prevented ITS being pitched again. Many
thousand invitations out and there
hall in the city that wonld hold fifth Of those who
expected to attend. In this emergency Speaker
Randall assumed the responsibility OF rendering
the use Of the House wing OF the Capitol, and the
architect agreed to light Tue decorations of the
building were hastily prepared, but evInced great
taste.
The promenade concert and ball were attended
by nearly all the participants IN the reception. and
BY thousands of Others the holders OF invitations
issued by the local Committee OF Arrangements.
The crowd Was so great in the TOtunda. a. Wei
in the old hall of the House al Representatives
and all the corridors of the main floor of the Capt.
tol that dancing was practically ont of the ques-
ton for an hour or two after the ball commenced,
and the fine promenade music InteIspeTsed te-
tween the waltzcs and lansers quadres was an
jOyed by people at a standstill who had vainiy
sought to promenade.
tie music was furnished by the Marine Band and
The military bands from West Point, Columbus
Barracks, Davds Island. and the ID and Sd Repi-
menis of Artillery. The music aud the superb sur
roundings eventually made the affair enjoyable,
despite the crush. ard the Capitol continued
thrOnged until after midnight.