Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-10-22

YORKTOWN, VA, Oct. 17.-Up 10 THIS
evening 5000 State troops and 1900 reg
ulars have established themselves in camp,
and it is estimated that seven or eight
thousand more State troops from various
parts of the Union are on the way, des-
tined to reach Yorktown by Tuesday or
Wednesday. Among the arrivals to-day
were the Ninth Regiment, United States
troops, two regiments and two detached
companies from Vermont and Gov. Cor
nell, of New York, and staff. The Gov
ernor of New York is established in the
quarters assigned to the troops of his
State, at the camp. New York headquar-
tiers is the most deliberately ernamented
tent on the grounds. Its centre Is made
of stuff of the colors of America and
France, and it has alcoves, lace curtains,
luxurious couches, carpets and armchairs.
The commissariat is first-class.
All the tents are being rapidly occupied,
and the camp is great centre OF interest.
Nearly all the important commands have
fine bands Of music, which play morning
and evening at guard mounting and dress
narade. Among the troops of the various
States is a spirit ofrivalry in drill and
field evolutions, calculated to increase the
military spirit of the country.
It
of the Maryland State troops this after
noon, Brig Zen. Herbert, commanding.
A large number Of military men witnessed
the drills, which was creditable, as well
as instructive. TIE brigade comprised
seven hundred men, including the Fifth
Regiment, from Baltimore city. The first
battalion, composed of companies from
Hagerstown, Frederick City, Frederick
county. TowsOntown and Gainesville, ana
the seoAnd battalion, composed OF two
companies from Cumberland, one from
Oakland and one from Chestertown, Md.
The Western Maryladd and Chestertown
companies are very large and well drilled
and differed.
Anon q the most interesting bodies ar
irving during the day was a battalion OF
four hundred veterans of the late war
from Hampton, Va, escorted by the Pen
insular Guards, Virginia volunteer Or
ganization, headed by full band. The
color sergeants were four stalwart veto
rams, six feet high, who had each lost an
arm. In the ranks were many veterans
with empty sleeves, many who had lost
an eye or bore other honorable scars.
Whites and blacks marched in the same
ranks, and the large majority seemed to
be old men, with wrinkled visages and
grizzled boards.
One of the events Of the day in camp
was a visit of courtesy which the officers
of the Maryland Line paid to Gen. Han
cocks headquarters. In the absence OF
the General his chief Of staff, Major
Mitchell, received the visitors. The
Maryland officers were all in full dress
uniform. They rode over on horseback
and made quite a brilliant cavalcade.
90 7
ley Watkins, Gen. r. Snowden Andrews,
chief of artillery; Coils. Rodgers Beitch
and Charles Watkins, Of Governors staff :;
also Gen. Herbert, commanding the first
brigade, and his staff; Col. L. Wallis
Blackiston, MATS. Wilbur McKnew, j. w.
s. Brady and George T.. Nelson, Capts.
Charles A. Gambriil, Frederick Shriver,
Geo. w. Wood and Arthur Whitley.
For the ceremony Of laying the corner
stone of the national monument commem-
orative of the battle Of Yorktown large
number of member Of the Masonic fra
ternitv have arrived. Among these is the
Grand Master Of the Grand Lodge of Vir-
girginia, Mr.. Peyton S. Cole, who will
conduct the imposing ceremonies of his
order. Mr.. Cole says that upwards OF
five thousand brethren Of the mystic tic
will participate on the occasion. He will
wear an apron made by Mrs. Lafayette
for Gen. Washington, and lie will uso the
gavcl with which Washington laid the
Cornerstone of the national capitol, and
he will sit in q chair presented by Lord
Botetourt 70 George Washington. The
stand at the siie OF the ceremonies has
been made to seat three thousand people,
and there is space for six thousand moro
standing. The site of the monument Is
bold bluff, commanding magnificent
view Of York river, and the animated
scene which it presents, crowded as it
now is with steamers and government
vessels. Near by is y building, the head
quarters of the congressional committee
having charge Of the national celebration,
which has been most elegantly fitted up
for the reception Of the President of the
United States, the cabinet, members Of
Congress, Senators, French visitors, mill
tary and naval officers, members of the
diplomatic corps, etc. There Is one main
hall and several reception rooms, the in
terror decorations of which are entirely
of national American, French and State
flags. The ceiling and walls are entirely
covered by these colors, blending harmO-
niously, and most beautifully draped. In
honor of France the building has been
named for Gen. Lafayette.
The programme for the opening tomor-
row includes a reception of President Ar
thur. his cabinet and the guests of the ma
ton by the Governor of Virginia in this
building; a speech en- the stand by Sena'
tor Johnston, of Virginia; a public ad-
dress Of welcome by the Governor of Vir-
ginia. The formal Masonic ceremonies,
and music by grand orchestra and cho-
rus, with the President and cabinet, is ex-
pected in the morning.