The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-05

How the Day wns Ushered In and Observed
I'm the City-The Excursions, the Military,
and the Raiu

I'm the City-Tbe Excursions, the Military,
and the Rain.
yesterday was the glorious Fourth
will be the way in which nine out OF ten
will allude to the 106th anniversary OF the
Declaration OF American Independence.
The tenth man will be very apt to add,
eyes; and il rained nearly all day" both
OF which facts are perfectly well known to
the Richmond reader, but will do very
well, nevertheless, to commence talk
about what occurred yesterday.
About O'Clock in the morning detach-
ment OF the Richmond Howitzers an
nounced the beginning Of the day by the
discharge OF national salute. There were
some individuals, who had been up late
and had toiled hard, who did not hear
the roar OF the guns, but there were others
who complained that they shook the build
their morning nap. After firing the salute
THE EXCURSIONS.
The day broke with lowering, leaden
cloud hanging overhead, betokening rain,
and the atmosphere was cool and bracing.
Indeed, during the previous night the
breeZes became so cool that i'm many cases
blankets were hunted up in order TO afford
comfort to those who courted sleep. The
threatening appearance OF the weather,
however, did not deter the excursion
lists from leaving the city, and at an
early hour the town was agog with
people preparing to go with some
OF the different pleasure parties. The
regatta folks were astir early, and set
out for Fredericksburg before any con-
siderable amount Of rain fell. This was
the case with most OF the cXcurSionists
from the city, and had 1t not been for those
who came into the city, Richmond would
have presented lonesome appearance.
An excursion from Lynchburg, given by
the Lynchburg Volunteer Guards (col-
ored) brought down 4 large number OF
colored people, while from the adjacent
rural districts, black and white seemed
to think the proper thing to do was to
spend the day in the city. The colOred
brother has peculiar patriotic hankering
for national holidays, and never fails duly 10
observe the same, especially the Fourth,
and it is rare thing 10 see white man
work when the cOlored one is resting. The
result was that on Yesterday but very little
was done on the farm, ~ the most OF the
people came into the city.
TIE RAIN.
About 10 o'clock the clouds opened and
the rain commenced to fall in downright
earnest. At intervals it continued until
nearly | O'Clock Z. NJ, driving at times al.
most everybody from the streets, except
such as tool shelter under awnings. Some
times these would spring leak under the
weight Of water. and the crowd would rusll
ont through the ram and seek safer quar-
tiers. 1t was a fine rain for the crops, but
it was too damp to suit strangers in city,
who had only come to spend day, and
many bonnets and dresses suffered thereby
TIE COLORED MILITARY.
About II O'Clock, when a temporary
Stacking OF the rain and breaking away OF
the clouds seemed to indicate that the
weather would clear up, the colored bat.
talon Of infantry, composed oi the Attucb
Guard, Lieutenant Turner; State Guard
Captain Paul; Richmond Light Infantry
Captain Tinsley; and the Lynchburg Vol
unteer Guard. Captain Merchant-th'
whole under the command OF Major 10
siah Crump-fOrmcd at their armory
on Seventh street. and commenced
! to parade the streets. The number
OF men in ranh, was not so large as has
been seen on similar occasions in the past
but the movement Of the men and theiI
general appearance was very soldierly ant
credtable, and attracted large crowd o.
spectators, who followed them along tn
route OF march through the city. About
| o'clock the battalion returned to theil
quarters and was dismissed until O'Clock
at which time it reformed and escortct
their visiting brethren to the depot. In al
/ Of these parades a drum-and-ffe corp
| headed the battalion.
A DULL DAY.
There was nothing to indicate the old
! time method OF celebrating the Fourth, anC
/ rs consequence 10 accidents, fights, Ol
/ bruises will have to be chronicled to th'
credit OF the day. The stores, banks, post
office. and most places OF business were
| closed, and the streets wore more the ap
pearance Of sunday than festival. Th'
| bar-rooms were open, and doubtless die
| the usual amount of trade but no signs O