Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-10-27
The Yorktown Celebration.

The Yorktown Centennial Celebra-
tion, in commemoration of the surren-
der Of the army of Lord CORVALLIS
to the forces under Washington and
Lafayette, was celebrated last week
with imposing and appropriate cere-
monies. The corner stone of the pro-
posed monument which is to mark the
glorious event which occurred there
one hundred years ago, and assured
the independence of the United States,
was laid in the presence of an immense
throng, on Tuesday the 18th. The
celebration practically closed on Thurs
day with grand review Of the troops
present, about 10000 in Number from
the original thirteen States, with de-
tachments from the army and navy,
all under the command of Maj. Gen.
Hancock. Hancock was the "observ.
ed of all observers" and was received
with the most enthusiastic demonstra-
tions of favor wherever seen. The
celebration was attended by President
Arthur and cabinet, the Governors of
of the various States and by represen-
tatives of the French and German
heroes who took part in our revolu.
tionary struggle, including descend
ents Of the families Of Lafayette and
Steuben. The following account of
the grand review is from the letter Of
the Washington Post, dated the 20th
instant:
"With the break Of day all was life
and activity in the harbor, each ship
sending forth its contingent OF troops,
marines or spectators TO participate in
the events of the day. The soldiers
we're called out at 7 o'clock, and after
having breakfasted were formed in line.
drilled and marched about prior to
taxing part IN the review.
The President and his Cabinet, Gen.
Sherman and staff, and the distinguish.
ed French and German guests were in
the seats allotted to them on the grand
stand in good time. There was some
delay in consequence OF the non. arrival
of the Connecticut troops; but Gen.
Hancock, after waiting half an hour
after the regular time for all delinquents
70 appear, finally concluded to start the
procession.
In the meantime the war ships in the
harbor we're firing salutes, and the bat.
teries at the camp added to the thun-
der. When the crowd was assembled
along the route over which the process.
sion was to pass the scene was one OF
the greatest animation. The day wss
bright and fair and aided materially in
showing the troops TO good advantage.
Shortly after 10 o'clock the strains of
martial music gave notice to the assem-.
blage of the coming OF the procession.
The route over which the procession
was TO pass lay along the borders OF the
Temple farm, and was a circuit of about
four miles. Gen. Hancock, on horse.
back, headed the procession. His com.
Ing was generally hailed with enthusi.
aalic cheers, and when himself and
staff reached the grand stand the ap.
plause was deafening. Gen. Hancock
and staff fell out OF the line and, dis
mounting, took seats on the grand
stand, when that structure was reached,
and reviewed the troops as they passed.
After the review the Connecticut reg.
iment marched at once TO the boat and
left for Charleston, 8. c., where they
will be the guests Of .he Washington
Light Infantry Of that city. The latter
command left on the boat for home
Immediately afterward. The Georgia
and Rhode Island troops left for home
this afternoon also.
Gen. Hancock stated to the President
that there were $500 men in line. The
President was quite enthusiastic over
the magnificence Of the display. The
only colored troops in line we're two
companies from Richmond, composing
part OF the First Virginia Regiment.
They were loudly cheered by the spec
talors from ths North.
II 2 o'clock this afternoon Gov. Cor.
nell entertained the President and the
State Governors at dinner. About the
same time Gen. Hancock gave dinner
20 the Army and Navy officers and The
officers Of the volunteer commands.
Both were largely attended and were
affairs Of great brilllancy.