The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-11-27
ONE HUNDRED YEARS.
Have Passed Since the British
Troops Left New York City,
And the Gothamites Celebrate the
Event With Great Pomp and
Enthusiasm.
Fifty Thousand citizen in line and
a Magnificent Naval display
Tlse Two Cities Gorgeous
with Bunting AsIl
Full Of People.


Lexington. April 10, 1875, close with the CEN
tcnaial Iteration of the evacuation Of this
CITY iiy tic British troops on the 25tl of No
yeInbel I7sS In the very beginning of the
war the British had foreseen the importance
of holding New York AMI throughout the
long struggle they retained possession Of
Manhattan island with grip so tenacious
that no effort of the patriot army could dis
lodge them The people of the city
suffered severely in consequence of the
long and oppressive occupation, and it
was with a degree of satisfaction, appreci-
ated 10 some extent by the New Workers of TO-
day, that they watched the embarkation of
the English and Hessian soldiers In May,
1855, after the war was practically ever, Sir
Guy Carleton relieved Gen. Clinton of the
command of the British forces in America,
making his headquarters in this city. Be-
tween this officer and Gen. Washington there
grew up relations of digniiied, almost
friendly. intercourse, SO that it was compare
lively easy to negotiate the arrangements for
tine final act ofs,the drama On the 9th Of
November Washington received from earle
ton a courteous note informing him that tho
British troops would be withdrawn on the
following day.
On the morning Of that day the streets of
the city were again respondent with the gay
uniforms Of the soldiers ana resoundcd with
thu strains of martial music, as the army
marched to the transport for the final en-
barkation, accompanied by the weeping ex-
lies, who were leaving the country hopeless of
return. As the last of the troops embarked,
the head of the American column entered the
city. Washington with Gov. Clinton, led the
procession, attended by troops of citizens rid
ing 4iglit'abreast and by the long columns of
those atiiotic soldiers who for so many wears
had hoBne the burden of the war. Salvos of
artillery and the cheers of the populaee
greeted the conquering heroes of Princeton, of
Saratoga and of Yorktown, as they entered
uron the formal possession of the city.
4 few amusing incidents are related. As
the British troops were marching along the
eye Of the provost marshal caught sight Of an
American flag floating from a housetop, and
he ordered it hauled down, but woman
with a broomstick defended it so obstinately
that the order could not be obeyed The flag
staff at the battery, too was creased, and the
lanyartls and cleats removed, so as to make it
difficult to hoist the American flag while the
British were still in view, but an active
sailor, with the help of sand and ashes, soon
reached the top, and raised the victorious flag
in full sight of the retreating army.
With reference to the condition of the
American army at the time of the evacua-
ton. ".Gath says Maj. Ben: Perley Poore
told him that the United States troops which
marched into New York on that day were
picked Massachusetts, troops Mai Poole
was asked:
Were the Massachusetts troops who came
in here very ill-dressedq'
"NO. The picture that Harper's Weekly
presents of bare-footed soldiers coming down
Broadway is, l venture the opinion, more
fanciful than real You see, the army had
BEN laying around Newburg for about two
years, with nothing to do. The credit of the
states had picked up. Massachusetts was
powerful state at that time, relative to the
others, and with military spirit, and she
was able to put her regiment on first rate
footing, so as to look well in the occupation
of New York.
Major. Sumner who commanded these
troops was the grandfather of Charles Sum-
ner.
The Days Celebration.
And now, 100 years after the facts narrated
above, New York is to celebrate the event
made for celebration which shall lie a red
letter day in the history of this city and
state A procession of vessels in the harbor
is one of the features and is expected to oc-
cupy five hours in passing given point, and
the land procession viii have $4,000 men in
line. The day opened with a dull, leaden
sky, indicating coming rain or snow.
The atmosphere is moist and raw, but not
a he. forts Jcls 10
salute of twenty lone guns, and this was fol
lowed in half an hour with successful effort
on he part of all the steam whistles in the
bay and on the rivers to create the most dis
agreeable noise imaginable, thus emphasizing
the wonderful difference be ween the navi-
gator Of 1873 and that Of 1888, and Mt Q
O'Clock the eople took possession Of the
streets and every means of conveyance lead
ing down town They flied cars, omnibilses
and carriages, and still the sidewalks Oh
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth avenues. and
Bradway we're filed with dense mass, Of
humanity.
on the public buildings and club houses, but
the residences of dwelling houses contented
themselves with a display of the stars and
stripes Occasionally the colors of France OF
Germany are mingled with the red, white
and blue. All places of business are closed
and the entire population Of Manhattan and
Long islands have given themselves up to en-
joyment on this patriotic occasion.
Tha points of historic interest are sur
rounded by crowds who are anxious to recall
the scenes of the day when the British with
drew from American shores and our indie
pendcncc was really made secure. Presiden
Arthur and Gov. Cleveland and staff are a
the Fifth avenue hotel Other dignitarie
from other states are also present. Included
among these are the governors of twelve o
the original thirteen states. The display o
military promises to be fine. Some of tn
beautiful red coats that are present form
fine contrast with the gray and blue
The threatening weather Of the mornin
soon developed into a pronounced rain, tina
increased as the day progressed. Only til
more courageous of the men and women re
tanned their places upon the reviewing stands
and those remaining stood upon the seats an
protected themselves as well as they coul
with umbrellas. People on the roofs, whenc
they expected to obtain good view of tn
parade as well on the sea as theshore, quickl
sought the shelter of chimneys or went below
The streets, however, continued crowded
Broadway was sea of umbrellas.
THE THUNDER OF INNUMERABLE GUN
and all the pomp and glitter which can b
introduced by military and naval paceantr'
have combined to make the celebration {
tine evacuation of America by the BIRTHS
one hundred years ago the most notable con
memoration ever held in this city. The cit
was in gala dress when New York awoh
Rivalry in business had combined wit
patriotic emulation to make each. hous
holder in the business streets anxiou
to eclipse his neighbor's in extent, taste an
costliness Of decorative supply, and the r.
suit was that Broadway, which before no.
has proved itself well adapted for picturesqI
effects, blossomed out with wealth {
gorgeousness which was astonishing Almo
every house was decorated to some extel
and showed perfect blaze of color. II
immense show windows were turned int
patriotic tableaux
The two great pictures Of the day were I'll
land and water perades. Each WI
enough to make carnival in itself Bot
together were somewhat bewildering, bu