The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-08-18

mond 90 Yorktown and Newport News will
be Ready In Time; Good News Thht-The
Grand Days; Military Encampment; Ar
rangemsnts at the wharves; Camps and
soldierly Subsistence--siske Your Prepara-
tioas I'm Tims-0r Own Duty.
Following Is a circular from the Master
OF Ceremonies of the Yorktown Centennial
Commission with such portions as have al
ready appeared in our telegraphic columns
omitted). giving information concerning the
military eucampment aud subsistence Of
troops, how to reach Yorktown. landing OF
troops and passengers from vessels, wharf
accommodations, &C., &C.:
YOaKTOwy CENTENNIAL COMMISSION, J
OFFICE or MASTER OF CEREMONIES.
WASHINGTON, ID. g., August Is, 1881. }
CIRCULAR:
In response to the general inquiry for in
formation regarding the arrangements for
the coming celebration at y Yorktown, Va,
in October next the following is published
for the information and guidance Of all con-
cerned:
Tuesday. October 18th; Wednesday,
l9tb; Thursday, Goth; and Friday, 2lst,
1881, have been fixed upon as the days OF
celebralion-a programme OF the ceremo-
nies for each day OF which will be published
In due time. IL Is urgently re-
quested that all organizations intending to
participate arrange to be on the ground not
later than Saturday the 18th October, aud
notify this Office Of their intention to
be be present before the 10th September
THE ENCANPMENT.
While It IL the inttntIo of the Commis-
sion 10 furnish tents TO shelter the whole
military command, it Is questionable whe-
ther the limited amount OF canvas placed at
its disposal by the Government Will meet
the demand, owing to the large numbers
expected 10 participate in the celebration.
Organizations, therefore, having tents at
their disposal, or within their reqnisition,
are recommended to bring them with them.
Early advice should be given this Office upon
this point, in order that those unproyided
With shelter may be promptly supplied
upon their arrival. Fuel 10 sufficient
amount for cooking purposes will be pro-
vided by the Commission. The troops from
each State will, as far as practicable, be To-
Gated together.
/. A post office will be located on the
grounds, also telegraph Office, with con-
nection TO all points. The camp will be
lighted by night with electric lights, and no
effort will be spared 10 make the encamp-
ment as complete and enjoyable as the
means and facilities at the command OF the
Commission will permit.
SUBSISTENCE.
The Commission finds il wholly impracti-
cable to provide or arrange for the subsist-
ence OF the organizations visiting York
town. The soldiers OF the regular army
will be provided with the regular ration,
and 1t Is recommended that militia Organi-
zaiions, so far as may be possible, come
prepared TO establish company messes on
the ground. In such event, the more i'm
portant clements OF the ration, such as
bread, salt meats, salt, pepper, vinegar,
sugar, candles. &c, should be brought with
them, also cooking utensils and dishes.
The situation OF Yorktown, in the near
vicinity OF the finest fishing.grOuncs,
oys.er-bsds, and marget-gardens in the
country, affords peculiar facilities for the
abundant supply Of edibles OF the largest
and choicest variety at the most reasonable
rates. At the same time no objection exists
to the employment OF caterers, or TO special
arrangements being made with any OF the
restaurants or hotels on the grounds to fur
Dish meals TO companies or regiments, pro-
yided the meal hours conform TO the regu-
lations OF the camp. Caterers who will
send their addresses and the extent OF their
ability 10 furnish meals to this office will
be placed in communication with organiza-
lions desiring to obtain subsistence in this
manner.
NOW TO REACH YORKTOWN.
~.h.oua L.. s;tuatod IN tho couth hant
OF the York river, York county, Va, about
twelve miles from its mouth, about the same
distance from Williamsburg, and twenty
four miles from Fortress Monroe. There
10 at present no rail TO or near that polnt,
and the probability Of the Chesapeake and
Ohio road. which expects to reach Newport
News before October, accomplishing Its
project, or, as Ia further rumOred. laying
branch track to Yorktown to accommodate
the occasion. is too remote for calculation
in problem that demsnds certainty as IFS
most important factor. Should this project
be accomplished within reasonable date,
the Tact will be announced from this Office
in time to enable organizations to avail
themselves OF it. [See item below.l The
nearest railroad centres are Richmond, Va,
Washington, u. c., Baltimore, Md, and
u.
water nsportation to Yorktown can be
procured IL arranged for in proper time.
REPORTING.
There Is ample room for the anchorage OF
vessels OF the greatest depth in front Of
Yorktown, and wharyes OF sufficient capaci-
ty for the landing OF troops will be provided.
All vessels with troops on board should,
upon arrival within the harbor, report their
arrival at once to the harbormaster, who
will indicate the place and time OF landing.
The commanding officer should, after land
ing, accompanied by his adiutant and quar-
termaster, report at once TO the general
commanding the camp, and until he has
received orders TO disembsrk his command
no man should be allowed TO leave the yes.
sci. Having been assigned its position in
the camp, The command will be governed
from such moment by the rules and orders
laid down by the commanding general for
the order and discipline Of the camp.
The wharyes will have depth Of twelve |
feet at mean low water at their fronts, with |
an average rise OF tide OF three or four feet, \
but the keels OF transports will probably |
fnd fourteen to seventeen feet under them,
10 rapidly does the water deepen.
The wharf accommodation will OF neces-
sity be somewhat limited 10 extent, and no
vessel can be allowed 10 remain at wharf
longer than the time necessary for the land
ing OF personnel and material: The disad-
vantage OF postponing an arrival until the
morning OF the first day OF the ceremonies
s obvious.
BY order OF the Commission.
III. G. CORBE,
Assistant Adiutant-G General United
States Army, Master Of Ceremonies.
Approved John w. Johnston, Chair