Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-15
"REMINISCENCES OF LAFAyETTE'S VISIT
WHAT MR.. NASH REMEMBERS OF THE AFFAIR
THE MILITARY DISPLAY-A WASHINGTON LAD,
WHO PARTICIPATED In THE RECEPTION.

Mr.. Michael Nash, who for over sixty years
has resided in the eastern part of the city. re-
members well Lafayette's visit here in 1924 hay
ing, as sergeant OF the Columbian Light Infan-
try, Capt. Bully, taken part in the reception
Mr.. Nash states that, as far as he
knows, John SnallwOOd and Joseph
Radcliffe, residing in East Washington. and
Thomas Jenkins, of UniOntOwn are with him
self the only survivors of the company. Speak
ing to MIR. Nash on the subject on Thursday his
face frightened up as he narrated "reminiscences
of that occasion. Yes" said he II was among
the number, and We did all we could to honor the
Old patriot. 1t was this very day. too and we
had a big procession. 1 don't recollect much
about the procession outside the military and
only as to the home City companies There
were Alexandria and Georgetown troops
IN the procession. Let's see; Gen.
Neightman commanded the regiment.
Then we had Birch's artillery of four guns, uni
formed in blue. My company was the Columbia
Light Infantry. Capt. Bully from the Navy
Yard. about 40 men. uniformed in gray, with
black plumes in their hats. Capt. Doughty had
rifle company out. He was then in the Navy
Yard, and they were uniformed in green, with
irinsed capes to their coats, wearing bear
skin caps. 1t was popular company
after having 12O men out. They had all out
that day and with their rifles carried powder
! horns and bullet pouches Col. Hickey he was
captain, then commanded the Hibernan Greens
or Guards forget which, They were uniformed
In green OF course and carried spontOOps and
pixies and made fine show having some 80 men
In line Col SeatOn commanded the Wash
hston Guards company having fine band
and at that day it was looked ON as
the crack company. They wore a dark blue uni
form. and made fine show with about so mus
kets in line. Peter WaurO. the auctioneer. had
company the German Yasers, about 20 men
uniformed in green, and they were out. rife
I Lodi hvC
| too, with 60 men in line They were called
''Bucktails," from the plume they wore.
We were ordered out to join in
the escort, and went to the tolgate to meet
the general. 1t was only necessary to set the
time, for l never saw anything like it; every
body seemed only too glad to honor the old
patriot. Well we escorted the general to the
Capitol, and getting out of the carriage he was
escorted to the rotunda of the Capitol
| (the dome at that time not having
been put in place. and the military were dis
missed. got in just in time to see Mayor Cox,
| Of Georgetown, receive the old veteran. Mayor
| Cox actually clasped the latter in his arms,
and with some feeling said: My dear General,
visit our little city and to see onI
/ improvements. The general replied, after a
little pause: my dear friend. I'll be delighted
TO see your city. and shall visit it," After this
my company Che Columbia Light Infantry
visited Alexandria and took part in the recep-
/ ton given Lafayette there. The little town had
a magnificent arch erected at the corner of King
and Washington streets, and the entertainment
given was said to have surpassed that given by
any city of the same size in the country.
OTHERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE RECEPTION.
The wife of MI. Edward NJ Drew personated one
of the states of the Union in the welcome given
to Lafayette. She was SO young that gentle
man in the crowd placed her on his shoulders
to enable her to get good look ct the proceed
ings.
Among others who participated In the recep-
ton was Francis r. May, for the last forty years
Waterman in the paymaster generals Office
who not only saw, but shook hands with the
patriot visitor.
Yet another citizen who participated in the
| welcome to Lafayette was Captain James A.
TAFT, (oHe Of John NcLeodS pupilsl Nr. TAFT