The National tribune., 1882-07-01
EXCURSIONS ON TIE BAY,
Visit Of Grand Army Pests to Tivoli-A Fleet of
Steamers,

Visit Of Grand Army Pests to Tivoli-A Fleet OF
| Steamers,
Thursday was devoted to the municipal
entertainment of delegates to the G. A. r.
visiting Posts and military as the guests of the
city of Baltimore. Six steamers had been
chartered to convey the guests five of which
sailed about pm. with an aggregate of about
| 5000 persons on board. Going down the har-
Dor the fleet of steamers presented a remark
ably handsome and picturesque appearance.
! The tugs in the harbor made the air reSound
! with their whistles, and hundreds of people
! from the wharves on either side cheered and
shouted. The steamers after getting down to
the Baltimore and Ohio elevators, acted inde-
pendently Of each other, and the Pentz and
| Chester soon took the lead. The old sergeant
in Fort Carroll dipped his flag, rang his fog
bell, and waved a greeting TO each steamer
with hat and hand as they passed. The boys
appreciated the compliment and gave three
cheers for the bronzed veteran, who was plainly
visible standing at the base of the lighthouse.
On the way down, at frequent intervals in
coming tugs and vessels saluted the little fleet
and an interchange of whistiing and flag-dip-
ping became quite common.
The boats landed their loads after which all
scattered about the grounds, which We're
covered with small tables placed under the
large, overhanging trees. After an hour or so
of pleasant wandering through the groves, the
vast crowd proceeded TO the refreshment ROOM
where collation. was spread and all helped
themselves. After the lunch had been served
the company again repaired to the groves, and
passed an hour very pleasantly. An abundance
of fresh beer was served to everybody, and
when the hour for departure arrived numerous
expressions of regret at the termination of the
excBrsion were heard.
THE TRIP Up THE BAY
was a very pleasant one and the steamers
looked very handsome as they glided smoothly
along in the twilight. The various drum corps
that were in attendance made matters very
lively, and contributed much to the general
amusement. The ffers frequently PLAYED
Dixie" and other Southern airs, and the time
passed pleasantly in every particular The
cOuncilmen present wore badges of silver,
which will be appropriate souvenirs of tho
Encampment. Each consisted of a cross-bar,
having the name of the wearer, ribbon, and
a star inscribed Council Reception Committee,
G. A. f., National Encampment"
As the Pentz, which led the way, came
abreast of Federal Hill, at S-O6 o'clock, blast
of her whistle was answered by the ascent of
a roman candle from the crest Of the hill. The
feet of steamers moved slowly into the harbor,
and made fast to their respective piers, after
which there was half hour of suspense The
tops Of the steamers were covered with people,
all gazing hillwards, and when the first balloon
was seen ascending there was a loud clatter of
hand-clapping.
THE DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS.
The festivities were fittingly ended by one
of the grandest pyrOtechnic displays that has
ever been witnessed in this section of the
country. No more suitable place could have
been selected Tor the purpose than Fort Federal
Hill, nor has there ever more satisfactory
and successful exhibition taken place. Every
portion of the grounds and vicinity was
densely packed. Shortly after o'clock, red
light announced that the time had come for the
display to begin, and by a preconcerted signal
the grounds were illuminated with Greek fire.
The 81 ght as now witnessed from the top of Fed
eral Hill Observatory was a most beautiful
one. Viewed from the northern end of the
tower the harbor presented a grand sight
Vessels Of every kind were anchored in the
stream, covered with different colored lights
which sharply defined against the dark sky
the various crafts which lay at anchor
in the quiet water. A number, in honor
Of the occasion, had provided themselves
with smaller fireworks and Greek fires and
at times their displays commanded as much
attention as those on shore. The display on
shore began with the sending up of a large for
ty-foot balloon with fireworks attached, follow
ed by bursting shells. As they exploded in mid
air resolving into beautiful figures of all descrip-
tions, cheer after cheer went up from the
crowd Mines with different colored lights,
and throwing out golden showers, were also
greeted with shouts Of applause. The bombs
followed in quick succession, interspersed now
and then with flights of rockets-one hundred
at a time. One of the features Of the exhibi-
ton was the throwing from mortars of the
double Shells which, after being propelled to
a tremendous height, would explode for the
first time into a weeping willow, and almost
after dissolve into golden show
ers, snakes and stars.