Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-20
THE MEMORY OF LEI.
SEVENTY FIGHTH ANNIVER-
SAKY CELEBRATION.

The Military Parade I'm Honor of the
Day-Tbe Review in the Park Extern
zion Presentation to Mai. John
Schwarz by the First Regiment-The
Social Entertainments Last Night and
Other Incidents OF the Day.
The seventy-eighth anniversary of the
birth Of Robert Edmund Lee was cele-
brated yesterday in the usual manner by
the military Of Savannah. 1t had been
anticipated for several weeks that the dis
play would be unusually brilliant, and
the dav was looked forward TO with inter-
est and pleasure. The invitation extend
ed by the First Volunteer Regiment and
the acceptance by the other volunteer or
CARNATIONS 10 Join IN the general parade,
added 10 the attTaCtiveness Of the occa-
sion. The various commands be-
gan TO assemble at their armOries
early i'm the afternoon and by 2:30
O'Clock nearly every corps was rendez-
voused. AT 3 O'Clock the companies to
form the brigade marched into South
Broad street. As soon as the brigade was
formed the line of march was taken up in
'le following order:
First Volunteer Regiment.
savannah Volunteer Guards Battalion.
Georgia Military Academy Cadets.
Chatham Artillery.
Georgia Hussars.
The parade was through South Broad,
AbercOrn. Bay, Bull. and DTaytOn streets
10 the Park Extension.
AS the brigade with its full ranks of gilt
tering uniforms marched into the parade
ground the crowd that had gathered about
the eastern entrance scattered in all di-
rectiOns over the field. The cold, disa-
greeable weather and the rain, which be-
gan % fall Just after the brigade was
formed, kept many ladies at home, but the
parade ground as II was was an animated
scene.
The crowd was so great about the mill
tary that to those at distance it was
completely lost TO view. AS soon as the
column was inside the Enclosure halt
was ordered and the regiment was drawn
up on the western side Of the field. The
COlOrs were fixed and the remaining col
umns passed in review.
The brigade was then dismissed and the
various commands formed independently
and went through the evOlutiOns and
manUuvres of a field drill IN a skillful
manner. One of the features of the day
was an exhibition drill by the Savannah
Cadets, which called forth the admiration
Of the crowds which completely filled the
field. After a dress parade the Guards
and Cadets Of the Georgia Military
Academy withdrew from the field and
marched to the barracks. where the Cadets
were entertained. The Hussars and the
Chathams gave a field drill. after which
they returned to their armOries and were
dismissed.
The brigade made a fine display, and
the various commands of which il was
composed won compliment and admIra-
ton on all sides Col. Anderson, Acting
Brigadier General. wore the beautiful
sword which was presented to him by the
officers of the regiment during the Sesqui-
Centennial celebration, two years ago,
and also the spurs presented to him by
the ma-shals upon that occasion.
After the parade the regiment marched
to the residence of Maj. John Schwarz, on
Jones and Habersham streets, where a
halt was ordered, and the command was
drawn up in line. A crowd OF people
filled the street. curious TO see what was
going To take place. a guard was de-
tailed to keep the sidewalks clear, and
Mai. SchwarZ was called TO the door.
Standing on the steps facing
the regiment, he was elOquently address
ed in its behalf bv Capt. Mercer. Allud-
ing to the gallant Majors career as a
citizen and a soldier, Capt. Mercer reterr-
ed tn the many services he had rendered
the First Regiment. which had won for
him place in the hearts of his brother
officers and Of every soldier in the ranks.
Thei beautiful flag which waved at Its
head was reminder of the deep interest
he had In its affairs and to him
the regiment owed its gratitude for
that beautiful banner. There was no H.
ting word at his command TO express the
nigh regard and esteem in which he was
held by the military as an officer and by
the people as man. As token OF Its
appreciation of his worth and the services
he mad rendered, the regiment had seen hit
to present him with testimonial of its
regard.
During the ceremony carriage with
the gift concealed from view was stand
Ing IN front OF the regiment. At the con-
clusiun of Capt. MERGERS speech the COW
cring was removed and the gift was
iued from the carriage and and pre-
scented in full view of the regiment and
the peOple. Taken wholly Unawares and
al a loss for words, the gallant Major could
only thank his comrades for their appre-
citation. He assured them that the beau
tiul token Of their kindly feeling would
always be treasured along with the
memories of the occasion. The sift was a
magnificent fitting pitcher OF
hammered silver, with gOblets and
-alver. and pair Of solid gold
sleeve buttons set with diamonds.
The pitcher is of solid silver, with gold
lined gOblets resting on solid silver base,
upOn which is the inscription:
MAI JOHN SCHWARL,
From the Companies composing the
FIRST VOLUNTEER REGIMENT OF GEORGIA
al. G Hafnr= hffrh a