Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-10-25
ANOTHER YORKTOWN LETTER.
How the Chathams spent Their
Last Day In YOFktOwn-Thes Statutes
Fired and the Compliments They
Received-PersOnal Mention.


Fired and the Compliments They
Received-PersOnal Mention.
Unfortunately, owing to something out OF
order with the mails, we failed to receive
the last letter written by our special York
town Chatham correspondent until yester-
day. Nevertheless, although for this reason
the gallant command itself reached our city
before the letter came to hand, we feel con-
strained to publish it anyhow, for 1t is very
chatty, and viii be read with interest by the
members and friends OF that veteran or
ganization:
YORKTOWN, October 20.-EfitOr Morning
NeoS: Yesterday at 10 O'Clock we fired
salute of one hundred guns in honor of
our Wsshinfton guns; for Yesterday
was exactly one hundred years since they
were captured from the British. The bat
terry worked splendidly. In fact 1t has
never done better, for out of all the shots
fired not one was a miss or falter, and each
rang out sharp and clear. And so, too,
with the other salutes fired during the day.
All throughout the day the pieces were
thronged with sight seers, and they have
attracted wide spread attention. The boys
have been hard run to satisfy parties beg
ging for their Photographic cards they
have circulated all over the camp. We had
received orders to clear our camp and keep
everything in readiness, as Gen. Sherman
and his staff with the French visitors were
expected to ride around on tour OF inspec
ton. Accordingly full dress uniforms were
donned, and we stood In readiness to give
them q salute. About four o'clock the Cover
nor of Massachusetts,, escorted by one ofthe
regiments from that State, marched down
Rochambeau Avenue in front OF our tents
in beautiful form. They had Just arrived
in camp, and we were told that they were
the French guests, SO we gave them sa-
lutte Of eighteen guns as they passed. As
soon as they had passed we were in
formed of the mistake, and kept In
readiness to give another. A little while
later Governor Hamilton, Of Maryland, and
his staff rode up to our pieces to examine
them. Seeing that he was Governor, we
fred a salute for him, and at the close of
the inspection the guidon pulled off his hat
and proposed three cheers for Governor
Cornell, of New York; for such he supposed
him to be. After the cheers were given the
mistake was discovered, so to set matters
right we gave three more for the Governor
of Maryland.
Later on, and just before dark, General
Sherman and the French guests rode up, and
halted on our left. They took us by sur
prise, as we did not expect them so late,
but we ran quickly to the guns and gave
them a salute. They then rode off, but not
until they were presented with some Of
Corporal P. C.'s photograph cards.
Last of all the Governor Of Georgia with
his staff came along, and we saluted him
also. The,meeting between Jimmie Manniou
and Governor Colquitt was cordial. Jimmie
wanted to embrace him, and enthusiastically
reminded him chow you and me and Cap
tain Jack won that fight"
After supper the Norfolk L. A. Blues
came over in a body and we entertained
them. We all crowded into Lieutenant
Walkers tent and merrily spent the hour
before "taps" with songs and jests and
speeches. While thus occupied a telegram
arrived from the railroad authorities, an
nouncing that arrangements had been made
for US to go home by way of Norfolk.
We had been invited by the Nor
folk Blues to go as their
guests and participate in the big parade
there tomorrow. This news was received
with citation, for we know already what it
means to be entertained by such hosts as
the Blues. We will break up camp early In
the morning and leave for Norfolk, return
ing home by way of Charleston.
To-day the grand parade took place, a
day that will ever be memorable IN the
Chatham Artillery. AS soon as we arrived
here, Lieutenant Walker addressed a COM
munication to the commander-in-chief In
which he set forth the object of our visit,
our history as a company, our strong desire
to participate in the parade, our failure to
obtain horses to pull the battery, and ask
ing that, If possible, we be supplied with
some. experimenting this appeal by the
employment of such tact and diplomacy as
would have done credit to Talleyrand, he
succeeded In getting some Of the most dis
A. = h, rv,kr
the matter, and finally, after much difficult
ty, we obtained the necessary teams. The
last team was taken from an ambulance
already In line, from surgeons most unwil-
ling to give 1t up, and who did so only on
the command of General Hancock, delivered
in person by Major General Sanger.
In the parade we were assigned a promi-
nent position, Immediately after the regu-
lars and heading the volunteer soldiery
from the various States. AS we passed the
grand stand, In which were seated all the
notables, the battery was paid the distin-
guished honor OF being ordered to stop by
General Hancock, In order to allow Presi-
dent Arthur and the illustrious guests
of the republic opportunity to view
It. The Chathams will take another
century to recover from the effects Of
this compliment, as we were the only
ones singled out in this peculiar manner in
a body OF troops numbering from ten to
fifteen thousand. We are afraid to come
back by rail for fear the bridges to be cross
ed will not bear our increased weight.
Lieutenant Walker was invited to dine with
Hancock and the French guests this after
noon. The boys feel justly proud Of these
honors, and even Tom Theus expresses him
self as being completely satisfied. When a
man having as much love and ambition for
the battery as Sergeant Theus will say that,
you may be certain that 1t means something.
Surgeon Lincoln has given invaluable SER
vice by his attention to the ailments of his
comrades. Private Cohen left US o-day,
after the parade, for Baltimore, and we will
miss his handsome face when we are trying
to captivate the bellies Of Norfolk but Ike
Solomons is still with us, and he is a "whole
team" He has been taking on with the
Virginia girls more than any of US and is
the envy of the company. His fine social
qualities make friends for him wherever he
goes, and abroad as we'll as at home there is
not a more popular man in the company.
Mr. and Mrs. John A. G. Carson paid us
visit in camp to-day. Among this immense
crowd it is pleasant to meet with q familiar
face. Some of the Pennsylvania troops
have inst come into my tent to swap but
tons, so will have to bring my letter to
close. There are so many things happening
every minute to draw away ones attention
that this letter has been penned under diff
culties. Tomorrow we leave for Norfolk.
and we anticipate some rare pleasure IA that
beautiful city. LANYARD.