National Republican., 1883-09-20
TENTING IN THE OLD CAMPS.
The Visit Of Sheridan's Veterans 10 the Battle
fields Of the Shenandoah.
Dscomfots and Annoyances Of the
Night at Harper's Ferry
A ROusing Reception by the People Of WinchOster--A
Good Deal Of Genuine Virginia Hospitality.
A Speech by the Mayor and Resoluti ons
by the Common Council,
Speciak letter

CAnh VA, oepb
1e.-Sheridsn's veterans are again invading
the valley Of the Shenandoah. Nineteen
years ago these same veterans, with thousands
more Of comrades whose bravo hearts have
long been STILL went down this same valley
But not in Pullman cars, accompanied by
wives and daughters nor welcomed by music
of brass bands, outstretched hospitable hands,
and eager tender Of traditional Virginia
cheer. Then, with soldiers heavy burdens,
in storm and sunshine, they marched on foot
up hill aud down, over roads fair or foul
Their welcome was from hurtling cannon ball,
shrieking shell ,and the spiteful pin" g"ofminie
ball. Their stopping places were marked by
blood, suffering, and death. The wild wrath
of battle, and the stern joy of victory were
theirs, nor did they fail to know the gloom of
defeat and temporary check. To the people Of
this fair valley their coming meant loss of all
that could sustain life, and many pale faced
woman surrounded by weeping children had
in those days to stand in idle agony while
the fame evoked by wars pitiless necessities
licked up and devoured her home. From
the Potomac to this point and many n mile
south of her there is hardly foot of green
sod that was not crimsoned with human
blood in tho tragic days of the great rebel
lion.
But nineteen years is long time in this
fast age. and the peaceful invasion of to-day
is in marked contrast to that of 1864, which
1T commentaries. Two hundred or more
men, who then were u part of Sheridan's
guise, welcomed with hospitality so lavish
as to be surprising, and mingling like band
of brothers with the men who then met them
only at the bsyonets point.
The present excursion originated with the
survivors of the 14th New Hampshire, and
was designed TO be simply regimental ex-
cursion to the battlefield where they fought
under Little PhiP in 1864. But hearing of
it other organizations demanded to be let
in until, as it is now constituted the excur-
sion comprises members of the following
organizations: Now Hampshire-9th, 11th,
and ii infantry, and 1st cavalry.
Massschusetts-l3th, 10th, 26th, 29th,
39th' sith5 zo,, S7th, 3s.h, s9th;;
dth cavalry. Maine-5th, 18th, 14th, 18th
and Goth infantry, and 1st artillery. Ver-
mont-2d, sth, 10th, and 11th infantry
Rhode Island-2d and 14th infantry, LIST cav
airy, and 1st artillery. Connecticut-9th and
18th infantry and 1st cavalry. New York
10th and l40th infantry, and the l4th Penn.
sylvania cavalry. So that it can easily be
seen that the northeastern contingent of
Sheriden's army is thoroughly represented in
the party now here.
The programme laid out called for spending
Monday night, Sept. II, in camp at Harper's
Ferry, leaving at noon of Tuesday for Win
chester, where two days are to be spent in
camp near the battlefield of the Opequan;
one day and night in camp on Cedar creek
battlefield, and one day and night on Fisher g
creek battlefield, which, with o run up the
valley to Harrisonburg, will consume tho
time up to the date set for the return journey
on Saturday, Sept %. The party camp out
in tents, and observe the forms of military
routine and discipline SO far as is practicable.
Wednesday is to be the chief day of the ex-
cursiOn. At III n m the colonization rnie
OF the battle of the Opequan will bs held on the
held, the exercises to consist of an Grafton by
Col. Carroll d. Wright, poem by Comrade
George w. Powers and statements by the
representatives of each regiment of the part
1t took in the battle. In the afternoon
memorial services are to be held around the
monument erected in the national cemetery
by the state of New Hampshire in memory of
her dead. responsive salute will be fired
by the 1st Massachusetts battery and the con-
federate gunners who fought at Opequan, the
guns to be posted on the last positions held
by each side in the battle.
Leaving Washington at 5 p. m. Monday,
the party arrived at Harpers Ferry shortly
after nightiall. Tents had been pitched on
Bolivar heights, about a mile from the depot,
under the supervision of the local Grand
Army of the Republic post. Swarming out
of the cars, the excursionists made their way
thither as best they could, the lucky ones in
hacks" and the unlucky ones on foot.
footed it, and in the praiseworthy endeavor
to make short cut, presently found them
selves advancing up the Potomac on top of a
hill that took ten thousand feet of toll to sur
mount reconnaissance on the brink of q
ravine OF measureless depth lead to retreat,
and new line of march that eventually
landed us in Camp Birge," after everybody
else had got there.
Quartermaster Butfum, of the Boston Herald,
was rushing about like an orbitless comet in
Np
the tents. When we arrived Col. Carroll, rs
chief executive officer, stood at headquarters,
his erect solderly figure and calm, courteous
dcmeanor telling nothing of the storm of
wrath that was c0nvulsing his 'inner con-
sciousness" over the civilian like incomplete
ness OF some of the arrangements. Groups of
anxious looking ladies filled the tent wonder
ing at the equanimity with which the real
vets were surveying the prospect of
Ieeping on bunch of straw beneath the thin
tents. The denizens of the town wero out
In force, white and black viewing the scene
with wonder and admiration, and adding
largely to the admirable confusion of the
scene. On an adjoining hilltop cannon
was posted which ever and anon split the air
with its deafening report that rolled out over
the hills and was returned in thunderous
echoes from the Maryland valleys opposite.
Rockets and roman candles from tho same
place testified to the effort of the local post
to appropriately welcome their northern
guests.
Order at length grew out of confusion. On
account of the prospect of wet night it was
arranged that the ladies should be domiciled
for tho night in the neighboring houses. Sup
per was served, the camp FIRE lit and for an
hour or two the camp was a scene of good
fellowship and jolity, as old comradeships
were renewed, old battles " fit over" and the
programme for the coming days conned and
discussed.
At 10 o'clock the large crowd from the town
that filled every nook of the camp was noti-
fed that the order, Lights out" was about
to be issued, and as if it was under some form
of military discipline, melted away 80 quickly
that in three minutes the camp was left to
darkness repose and the vigilant guards.
Your correspondent, in company with Gen.
Sturtevant, of New Hampshire, sought and
found quarters in town.
Early this morning the admirable union
band Of Winchester arrived to escort the ex-
cursionists to that town as foretaste to the
welcome awaiting them there. The notes of
their instruments aroused the sluggards TO
breakfast and the pleasures Of the day. The
forenoon was spent rs the fancies Of the mem
bers of the party variously moved them Wis
iting their old camps and the scenes of John
Browns raid occupied most of them. Many