The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-04-19
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
Easter Services and Sports-Electric
Lights-Lucky Pensioners-Old SOL
diers' Fratranizing-Gen.
Grant, &C., &c.


WASHINGTON, d. c., April 14th, 1884,
Editors Union Although all the churches in
this city yesterday well attended, the drizzly
condition Of the weather prevented the ladies from
displaying any spring bonnets. The display of
flowers and the music in most of the churches,
especially the Catholic and Episcopal ones, were
splendid. President Arthur attended St. Johns
Episcopal church, where he usually attends. The
theme of the ministers generally was on the "Resur
rection of Christ" and the sermons were of
eloquent character. DR.. III. R. Naylor, formerly
of Madison avenue and Fayette street churches,
Baltimore, but now of the Foundry M. E. church,
of this city, preached a very eloquent sermon ON
this theme. The dampness of the weather o-day
also interferred considerably with the Easter Mon
day pastime of the children in this city, who
usually, as the day comes around each year, en- =
gage in "egg rolling" on the park or White House
grounds. On fair Easter Monday thousands of
children engage in this sport.
Although have read the letters of the lady
visitor from your county in the columns of The
UNION, have not noticed that she has spoken OF
the electric lights placed upon the Washington
monument, to test the feasibility Of lighting the
city and public grounds by that means How
ever the lights appear to have been failure, they
simply appearing as bright constellation IN the
heavens, and doing but little to dissipate the dark
ness even in their vicinity. AS these lights were
to be removed at certain date to allow the work.
ument, which it is hoped to be completed to the
base of the apex by next August and then entire
ly completed within the next year, when 1t Will be
the highest structure in the world, $50 feet high
The electric company has hit upon another expe-
dent Of endeavoring to light up Pennsy lvania
avenue by means of a 900 candle power electric
light placed at the base of the dome of the Capitol
with large reflector behind it, and already its
effect can be seen on the avenue clear to the Trea
sury Department. It is thought that two more
lights of this kind placed in the same position,
would make the avenue that distance as light day.
From time to time we hear of instances of
Mary land eA- Union soldiers obtaining pensions
which often include arrearages of considerable
amounts, which must, if properly used be of great
benefit to these old veterans of the late war and
their families. On last Saturday Mr. John Gerber,
of the Sth district of your county, visited this city
for the purpose of receiving an arrearage OF pen
sion that had been allowed him by the Pension
Office, and called upon your correspondent to iden-
tify him at the Pension Agency, we having served
together in the same company of one of the Mary
land regiments during the war; He received
check for SS.S3-only about one-ffth of what
he expected-which he had cashed at one of the
banks of the city, when he Immediately reserved
out of the amount ten dollars to pay his attorney
for services.
special campfire of the Department of the
Potomac of the Grand Army of the Republic was
u
evening. 1t was the largest and most enthusas
tic and successful campfire l ever attended. 1t
was given as a reception to Gen. Grant, who COM
manded the army at the siege and capture of
Vicksburg, and who has been in this city for
several weeks past under the care Of a physician
for the injuries received to of his legs and else
where from a fall on the ice, and also to allow
Gen. Logan and others who participated to recount
the incidents of the Vicksburg campaign, which
is said, in point of results and the small number
of casualties to the Union arms, to have been one
of the most strategetic and successful of any mar
rated in history, and which gave Gen. Grant his
fame of being one of the most strategic and sue
cessful generals and the greatest military genius
of modern times, and which put him in command of
all the Union forces around Richmond and else
where, and which resulted in the fall of Rich
mond of the capture of Lees army and the col
lapse of the Rebellion.
The hall was filled with mddle-aged and par
TALLY bald or gray haired veterans of the late war;
the most of whom probably were mere beardess
youths when the war broke out and they enlisted
in Uncle Sans service, and the numerous crutches
and armless sleeves showed that all had not
escaped injury during the dreadful conflict. The
hall was decorated with flags and other emblems
of the war, and the Marine band was in attend
ance. The stage was occupied by commanders of
Posts and the Department, and at about o'clock
the announcement that Gen. Grant had arrived
was signal for the utmost expectancy, and as the
General entered the hall and walked up the isle
supported by crutches and accompanied by Gems.
Logan, Hawley and others, the greatest enthu-
siasm prevailed, and so marked was the ovation
given him that it is said tears filled his eyes he
faced the audience and took seat on the stage.
Gen. Hawley presided, and Gen. Logan delivered
the grafton of the evening, often referring to Gen.
Grants merits as a military leader, while the lat
ter sat near him listening attentively to every
word, and unmoved, as though he not the
hero of the hour as he of that and of the other
great Union campaigns. In the midst, Of Gen:
and took seat on the stage, accompanied by
Secretary of War Lincoln, which was the occasion
of another outburst of applause and enthusiasm.
When the speeches were all over Gen. Grant pre-
pared to leave the hall, which he was not permit
ted to do, as was neither the President, without
making a short speech.
If all the delegates sent to the coming Chicago
convention were animated by the patriotism that
filled the breasts of these patriotic veterans twenty
years ago. and still does, and not in any instance
the ambition of self seeking men, there would be no
doubts of the outcome of that convention, and
nomination would be made to be followed surely
by election. ANON.