Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-05-23
BLUE AND GREY /!
GREAT OU7POURING Of THE
PEOPLE,.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE GUESTS-THE
FORMAL RECEPTION AT THE OPERA
HoUsE--sPEEcHEs OF PRESIDENT NEW
TON, OF THE 9TH VETERANS, CAPT.
JAMES BUMGA RDNER, OF THE 9TH,
COL. E. F. BROWN, OF THE 2STH N. Y,
COL. JAS. H. SKINNER, OF THE 52ND
YOKK-COURTEOUS RESOLUTIONS OF
THE 18th N. Y. AND CITIZEN VISITORS
ELECTION OF OFFICERS OF THE 18TH.
&C., &C., sc.
For weeks past our people have been in a
feverish state over the expected arrival of
the 2Sth New York Volunteers, who had
promised to make visit to the 9Th Vir-
ginia Veterans. The splendid hospitality
shown by the former to the latter at Mia
CARA Falls last year, made our people the
more anxious about the attempt to make
areturn, anywhere approaching it, in con-
veying to their visitors the warm feeling
of hospitality which filled our hearts. In
the last few days the stir in the hive was
apparent. The daily visits of those men,
bers of the 5th Va, who live in the coun-
ty, to their comrades in the town, showed
that the note Of preparation had been
sounded.
THE APPEARANCE OF THE CITY.
On Wednesday morning the town began
to put on a new appearance, and before
noon of that day the streets looked like
paths through flower bed. National flags
of all sizes foated in thousands from the
stores and residences of the principal
streets, and many festoons Of colored
cloth and evergreens, dotted with notices
of welcome, made their appearance every
where. The favorite motto was Welcome
2Sth n. Y. to our Hearts and Homes, D
and it appeared in many places. Wagons
driving through the streets were decor
ated, as were the horses drawing them,
with flags, and many private turn-outs
showed the contagion had struck them,
by exhibiting the same decorations. The
most notable decorations, either from
their size or the art displayed, were the
two immense national flags, forming an
arch, across Main street. at Gladke's, and
the artistic decorations of D. B. Hamaker
and e. W. Hewitt. The Main street de-
corations terminated at Bowers, where
the proprietor had gotten up the pretty
conceit of planting trees along the pave
ment in front of his building. which
swarmed with flags. The boys were as
as patriotic as the men, and appeared with
miniature national flags stuck in their
hat-bands.
WAITING For THE TRAIN.
In the early afternoon the military be-
gan to appear on the streets. The visitors
were expected to arrive at 4.30 P. M. The
guns Of the Staunton Artillery, under
Capt. J. T. Long, were already in posi-
ton at the depot to fire a salute of well
come. The West Augusta Guard, under
Capt. T. J. Crowder, formed on Main
street and headed by the historic Stone
wall Brigade Band, marched to the depot.
The veterans of the 9Th Virginia Infan-
try, under Capt. 7. M. Smiley, marched
down to the Valley depot and took their
position, The hills around we're lined
with spectators, and over the ratings OF
the bridges the ever present boy swarm
ed ia uncomfortable eagerness. The re-
ception committees were on hand with
pencil and paper to take the names of
the visitors and give them their billets.
All being in readiness, then came the
usual
WAITING.
Excursion trains like the hopes of youth
are proverblally disappointing, and this
one was no exception. 1t had the excuse
of having to wait for ovations which de-
tanned it along the road, and took its re-
venge by OBTAINING the ovation at the
terminus of the route. 1t was much desired
that our guests should come in daylight in
order that the arrangements for sending
them to their temporary homes might be
perfected without confusion. AS time wore
on it became evident that this desire was
to be thwarted. Hourly the telegraph
brought messages of
RECEPTIONS ALONG THE ROAD.
AT Harper's Ferry as the train had
crossed the line from Maryland into Vir-
ginia, salute had been fred by the citi.
Zens.
at Woodstock large crowd was at the
depot. Col. E. E. Stickley Of the 55h who
was their orator at the Niagara Falls re-
ception, got on the train and was warmly
welcomed by the 2sth. He made a brief ad.
dress welcoming the visitors to Virginia
which was replied to by Judge Pitts Of
New York.
At Harrisonburg, the reception was ar
enthusiastic one, marred by a hungry
ending. The 2Sth New York
during the civil war, had done provost
duty during brief occupation of thai
town, and their conduct and kind be-
havior had kept fragrant memory o.
them. The generous people of that town
though twenty years had elapsed, deter
termined to give emphasis to their recol
lection and had prepared public recep
ton, including lunch. When the TRAN
arrived, the citizens were in waiting ant
escorted their visitors to the cOurt-green
Capt. Erwin A. Bowen, of the 29th N. 7.
who had been the Provost Marshal there
was eagerly sought after and shown th'
kind remembrance in which he was held
Mayor Bryan gave the visitors brie
address of welcome, which was responded
to by Capt. Bowen himself. But fals'
alarm of the train being about to start
caused grand rush back to the station
and the loss of an excellent lunch, which
the hungry travellers would have highl!
appreciated. In the meantime the crowds
at the Stanton depot wers
STILL WAITING.
The hours wore on-5 O'Clock came
6 O'Clock, 7 o'clock-and the sun wen
down. It began to be certain that gu