Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-06
A GREAT EVENT.
TIE CELEBRATION OF THE BATTLE OF
GUILFoRD COURTHOUSE.
Something that North Carolina Will Not
Torget-fhs Parade and Ad-
dress
Especial telegram 10 Tho rlsoa.ch. !

Special telegram to the Dispatch.l
GREENSBORO. y. c., May 5.-Greensboro'
and Guiliord county will never forget the
Guiif0rd battle-ground celebration. an event
which occurred to-day, and which In ell its
details was carried to a most admirable con-
clusion. Thousands OF people poured into
this lovely little city last night, aud az
earliest dawn fresh tbrongs arrived. Not
only did they pour into Greensboro on
trains and in all sorts Of conyeyances, but
they rendezvoused also at the battle-ground,
six miles away, so that It looked ike a scene
OF encampment.
Considerable rain fcll last night, which
was alike welcome to farmers and excursion
lists. and this mornings air was cool and
fresh. Governor Scales and the State officers
arrived last night and were the recipients OF
numerous eourtesies. This morning trains
were 90 crowded that the schedule at the bat
tle-ground could not be followed as to time
OF commencement OF the exercises.
Governor Scales and the State officers did
not leave for the battle-ground until noon.
On the arrival OF the train there Il was found
that thousands OF persons had assembled
THE PROCESSION.
The procession was formed by Chief
Marshal John A. BarTinger and marched
from the battle-ground lodge to the speak
ers' stand, four hundred yards away. The
procession was composed OF Governor A.
NJ. Scales, Treasurer ID. W. Balm, Auditor
w. i. Roberts, superintendent OF Public
Instruction 5. " Finger, Clerk OF the SUI
preme Court 4. 8. Kenan, and QuartermaS.
ter'Genersl f. A. ODDS, the band; Colonel
James ID. Glenn, commanding the Third
regiment, and companies OF that regiment
from Winston; Captain w. T. Gray, from
Greensboro; Captaln Il. p. GRAY, from Dur.
ban; Captain l.. j. Parrish, OF Reidsvlle,
and Captains A. J. Ellington and S. II.
BOyd. The Danyille Grays, Captain 4. l..
DuacaD, paraded with the regl@ent. On
the arrival at the speakers stand, which
IS a pretty structure on a commanding
point, the exercises began just at l o'clock.
INSPIRING.
The scene was inspiring. Thousands OF
people filed the spacious grove and gently
undulating fields. The national cOlors flui-
tered everywhere, and the air OF patriotism
was noticeable everywhere. Il was estimated
at this hour that fully ten thousand persons
were on the grounds. There were many
prominent men on the stand. Besides tue
State officers mentioned there were Judge
Settle, OF the Supreme Court Of Florida;
Colonel Julius A. Gray, president OF the
Cape Fear and Yadkin-Nalley railway;
Secretary. Oi-State w. Il. Saunders; Colonel
A. b. Andrews, third vice president OF the
Richmond and Danyile railway; Judge
John A. Gilmer, Judge X. 7. Dick, and
other Federal officials.
THE OPENING PRAYER.
Rev. J. L. Mann, OF Greensboro, offered
the opening prayer. II was OF thankfuncss
for the American liberty which the result Of
the battle OF Guiiord Courthouse had Sc
cured to the colonies, and an appeal for
continuation Of fraternsl feeling, liberty,
and good government. The band played
the "StAr. Spangled Banner" after which
Chief. Marshal John A. Barringer welcomed
the visitors ia behalf Of Guilford county,
and introduced Hon. David Schenck. Of
Greensboro, president Of the Guiliord Bat
tie Ground Association. and historian Of the
the battle, and orator Of the day.
THE ADDRESS.
Judge Schenck's address occupied two
and halfhours in delivery, and was IN all re-
sp,cts a mastery production. He graph.
cally, and In language OF rare yigor and
grace sketched the attempts OF the British
10 subjugate the South, the virtual entDml-
ment OF South Carolina and the determined
resistance in North Carolina. which culmi-
mated at the battle Of Guilford Courthouse,
when CORVALLIS received a blow from
which he never recovered, and which in
sured American success In that protracted
war.
Judge SchencK's speech was a defence Of
the North Carolina militia, who had gone
into history as guilty OF gross cOwardice in
this battle. lie proved by perfect chain OF
evidence that General Greene ordered the
4. H.. a q
they carried out their instructions TO the
letter. He fully carried out his avOwed pur-
pose TO give such an account Of the fight
as would show that North Carolinlans
should thrill with pride vt the future men
tiOn OF It. lie declared that the histories OF
Lee aud Johnston, upon which the idea OF
the battle has been formed, had done North
Carolina gross injustice. Judge Schenck's
long address was heard with unabated in
tereSt, and the applause was frequent.
GOVERNOR SCALES.
At its conclusion Governor Scales spoke
with marked enthusiasm. he declared that
history had to-day been yindicated and that
in the name OF the state OF North Carolina
he desired to thank Judge Scbenck, the man
who has az last set matters right. IIcasSert-
ed that Judge Schenck had literally made
history ana Wipeu out IOhS'St'nuluS stiS'
ma upon North Carolina. The Governor
went on to speak Of North Carolina's pa
triotism then and OF the true devotion Of her
people 70 the Union now. lie bespoke their
undying affection for 1t. This terminated
the exercises.
Lunch was served 10 all visitors. Gov
ernOr Scales reviewed the troops, which
made a particularly handsome appearance.
The day was in all respects perfect and I'M
married by any accident.