The Evening critic., 1881-08-16
YORKTOWN CENTENNIAL.
The Official Circular with Regard to
Ceremonies and Arrangements for
Reception OF visitors.

inc coming celebration at yorktown, Va,
in October next, the following is published
for the information and guidance of all
concerned:
Tuesday, October 1S; Wednesday, 10;
Thursday, 90, and Friday, 81, 1881, have
been fixed upon as the days of celebration
A programme Of the ceremonies for each day
will be published in due time. Personalities
promise u military representation from
nearly every State in the Union, many States
sending full regiments, together with the
governors of most of the States, accompa-
MED by their stats, and distinguished citi-
zens in large numbers. For the reception
and proper comfort Of the latter, a building
is to be erected, the arrangements of which
will be later announced if deemed neces-
sary. IL being desirable that all the mill
tary organizations should be comfortably
established before the ceremonies begin, so
that, so far as possible confusion may be
avoided during the ceremonies, it is
urgently requested that all organizations
intending to participate arrange to be on
the ground not later than Saturday, the 10Th
OF October, and notify this Office of their in
tention to be present before the 10th of Sep
tember next. To those who report later
than the aforementioned date no guarantee
of comfortable camping can be made
The Encampment.
The Commission propose to establish
military camp on the south bank of the
York River, near the town of Yorktown,
and as nearly rs practicable on the ground
occupied by the allied troops during the
siege Of 1881. The camp will be under the
command of Major General Winfield s. Han
nsxal- A ....t ...sII L.. \ a.
as may be practicable by the rules
is the intention of the Commission
to furnish tents to shelter the whole COM
mand, it is questionable whether the limited
amount of canvas placed at its disposal by
the Government will meet the demand,
owing to the large numbers expected to par
ticipate in the celebration. Organizations
therefore, having tents at their disposal, or
within their requisition, are recommended
to bring them with them. Early advice
should be given this Office upon this point,
in order that those unprovided with
shelter may be promptly supplied upon
their arrival.
Water for drinking and cooking will be
provided in reasonable quantities and at as
convenient points as possible Fuel to
sufficient amount for cooking purposes will
be provided by the Commission. The troops
from each State will, as far as practicable,
be located together.
A post-office will be located on the
grounds, also a telegraph office, with con-
nection to all points. The camp will be
lighted by night with electric lights, and
no effort will be spared to make the en-
campment as complete and enjoyable as the
means and facilities at the command of the
Commission will permit.
Subsistence.
The Commission finds it wholly imprac-
ticable to provide or arrange for the SUBJ
sistence of the organizations visiting York
town. The soldiers of the regular army
will be provided with the regular ration,
and it is recommended that militia organ
igations, so far as may be possible, come
prepared to establish company messes on
the ground. In such event, the more i'm
portant elements of the ration, such rs
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 fish
ing grounds, oyster BEDS and mar
ket 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 cater
ers, or to special arrangements being made
with any of the restaurants or hotels on the
grounds to furnish meals to companies or
regiments, provided the meal hour conform
to the regulations of the camp. Caterers
who will send their addresses, and the ex-
tent of their ability to furnish meals, to
this office, will be placed in communication
with organizations desiring to obtain SUBJ
sistence in this manner.
How to Reach Yorktown.
Yorktown is situated ON the south bank
of the York River york County, Virginia),
about twelve miles from its mouth, about
the same distance from Williamsburg, and
twenty-four from Fortress Monroe. There
is at present no rail to or near that point,
and the probability of the Chesapeake and
Ohio road, which expects to reach Newport
News before October, accomplishing its pro-
jects, or, as is further rumored, laying a
branch track to Yorktown to accommodate
the occasion, is too remote for calculation in
q problem that demands certainty as its
most important factor. Should this project
be accomplished within reasonable date,
the fact will be announced from this
Office in time to enable organi-
cations to avail themselves of it. The near
est railroad centres are Richmond Va;
Washington, ID. c.; Baltimore, Md. and
Norfolk, Va. and from each of these points
water transportation to Yorktown can be
procured if arranged for in proper time.
Any specific information desired as to
routes will be cheerfully furnished. Quar-
tcrmasters of organizations, by placing
themselves in communication with this
Office, will be put in possession of any in
formation regarding railroad and steamboat
rates, &C., that may be within its knowl-
edge.
Reporting.
There is ample room for anchorage of
vessels of the greatest depth in front of
Yorktown, and wharves of sufficient
capacity for the landing of troops will be
provided. All vessels with troops on board,
should, upon arrival within the harbor, re-
port their arrival at once to the
Harbor Master, who will indicate the
place and time of landing. The COM
manding officer, should, after land
ing, accompanied by his adjutant and quar-
tcrmaster, report at once to the general COM
mandlng the camp, and until he has re-
ceived orders to disembark his command no
man should be allowed to leave the vessel.
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 wharves will have depth of twelve
feet at mean low water at their fronts, with
an average rise of tide of three or four feet,