New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-18
II Bartlett and NJ Mi.che The burial was in Green
THE VIRGINIA STATE EXPOSITION.
RICHMOND CROWDED WITH sTRANGERs-A SHAN
BATTIE-JEFFTRsoN DAvIsS LETTER.

w
BATTLE-JEFFERsoN DAvIs's LETTER
Richmond, Va, Nov. 17.-R1chmond Is cro"oeo
with strangers 1t seems that everybody has come
to visit the Virginia Exposition and everything nus
been done by the managers to make the exposition
worth visiting The greatest difficulty Is to ma
place to sleep. Every hotel Is not only cro"oeu' u
cots put up I'm the reading rooms IN the corroo's
and in the parlors. TO accommodate guesS o'e"
private houses are thrown open to accommodate
strangers. II the food holds out, everybody who
comes Will be taken Of The exposition Is
big collection Of the products Of the soil and OF
manufactures, including cereals, nuits, wines ana
brandes and tobacco, and Agricultural implements,
machinery, furniture and jewelry But tne principal
features are q huge exhibit Of minerals from along
the Richmond and Danville Railroad rams nrework
representation of Tho Last Days Of Pompeii' part
OF General washngton's furniture from the Mt.
Vernon mansion. the stuffed hide Of the horse which
"Stouewali' Jackson rode when he was killed. and
relics from the battehelds Of Chckahominy Fair
Oaks and Seven Pines
Ono OF the most novel schemes of advertising,
which may be proftably suggested to the exhibitors
the American Institute Fair IS that of the largest
tobacco manufacturers and packers, whose corps
Of eight negro workers-onc woman and seven men
comprise chorus Of strong voices, full Of melody and
sweetness. They entertain crowds of visitors every
hour in the day and evening, at the same time giving
exhibition Of the paration Of tobacco for chewes
and smokers Their rendering of I" Rocked In the
Cradle of the Deep and Grandfahcr's Clock" with
variations from the original, Is delightful and reminds
the spectators of the Hampton Jubilee singers.
Wednesday was Masonic Day. when laid the
cornerstone Of the Masonic Temple. to take
the place of the hall built in 1885, the Oldest edifce
In tho United States erected for Masonic purposes
The city was full Of uniformed and ununiformcd
Knights Templar from all over the State and when
they learned of others being present from other
mig afahi frat great IN
given. The new temple is to be at Broad aud Adams
SIS. After imposing parade Of the Masonic
brethren through the principal avenues the ceremonies
of the laying of the cornerstone were begun by Grand
Master Drinkard He followed by the orator
of the day, Congressman W. c. z. BreckinrIdge, Of
Kentucky.
The most unique feature of the week was the sham
battlea represen Thursday of the first Of the
seven days fight around Richmond. 1t took place
within easy view Of the grand stand the field en-
crcled by the track having been hickly planted
with pine trees Amout 1000 soldiers in uniform,
artillery. cavalry and infantry, from various parts
Of the State divided into two forces called the
ofensives and the Defensves, It having been decided
to drop proposition 10 designate them Federals
and Confederatcs. The Defenslves took up position
in the pines at the right of the grand stand and
established pcketline. with platoon of infantry
as skirmish-line in ambush. scouting party from
the oensves moved up the racetrack In the direction
of the pckets and upon discovery the latter retired
for achievements The Ofensives again advanced |
with a voley of mus kerry from the Defensive
infantry and plckets, and were driven back within
their own pcket-lines The artillery of both sides
then opened fire, the sklrmshers advancing toward |
each other at the same time. The Ofcnsives were |
forced to the second time, but upon getting
moved upon the Defensives and forced
them back. The artillery then opened 4 general |
fire, and the Offensive cavalry madc gallant charge
aud hanked the Defensves' retreating forces The |
battle waged holly for half an hour. when the De
fensives raised the white flag and laid down their |
arms and the firing ceased. The Defensives were
marched of the field by their capors in front of the
grand stand, amid great cheering. IL was all ex-
celent representation of a battle.
The fair viii continue until November "a An
effort made TO have Jefferson Davis present yes
erday but he declined the invitation for the following
'eason: Though well enough when at rest permit
he hope that l may my friends of Virginia at
ome future time, am now painfully conscious that
could perform the journey without serious, II
rot fatal. Consequences" d" The Statc,n an evening
,aper, must have been enjoying a Rip Van Wrinkle
deep. II introduces this letter of so-caled Presl-
lent with the headline, President Jefferson Davis"
Then 1t adds: The following letter received this
morning by Mr.. Ashton starke from President JeiIeI
DaVicS