Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-09-21
THE BATTLE OF THE CRATER.
Vivid Reproduction of Memorable Event
Of the Late War.

grand will be the spectacular reproduction
by the military of Richmond of the Battle
of the Crater, in which scenes nearer home
and familiar TO many who will be on the
grounds will be depicted with the most
realistic yividness and accuracy. Already
work on the space set aside in the grounds
tor this entertainment has begun, aud 1t
is safe 10 say that never have amateurs un-
dertaken production on so large and
so expensive and elaborate scale. But
the spirit of the military is enlisted in the
cause IN q manner that insures one OF tho
most remarkable and life-lIkc displays ever
witnessed in this country. For the time
being the spectator will live and move aud
have his being in camp. In biyouac, and IN &,
the smoke and heat and excitement OF
battle.
The first performance will be given the
7th of October, the night after the open
ing of the Exposition, and il will be re-
peetsd on the nights OF the 18th and the
18th.
The location selected for the entertain
ment is at the northeasterly end OF the
EXposition-Grounds, running along the
line OF Leigh street nearly 500 feet past the
secretary's house. and taking IN the grove
OF trees at the westerly end of the bench
nearly COO feet in width and 800 fest IN
length in the form of an ellipse. AT the
westerly end of the field will be located
the Federal camp behind q line Of breast
works running the entire width of the
held. Az the casterly end will be erected
the Confederate fort and the breastworks,
which will be afterwards blown up in the
scene shown at the explosion of the Crater
PROPULSION or SCENERY.
Mr.. Cahill. the manager of the Mozart,
who has arranged the programme and
t,a
winch will be used IN the exhibition.
There will be nearly $4,000 square feet of
scenery shown in the display. 1t is being
painted TO represent rs nearly as possible
the actual view about the Crater, and the
arrangement of the field will be such as to
\ give a very vivid picture of the two armies
| as they met on the morning OF July 80,
1864. The performance will begin at 8:l5
| 2. NJ. with band concert, lasting about
twenty minutes. After the concert regi-
ment of the Federal infantry, who will be
represented by the First Regiment Vir-
gina Volunteers, will come into the
parade-ground for their evening dress
parade as In actual camp life, the camp
being uuder strict military discipline. In
this scene the Confederate breastworks
Will not be shown.
PREPARE FOB ATTACK.
Just az tine parade Is ending a mounted
courier will be seen riding ut break-neck
speed from the other end of the field,
along winding road running through the
grove. He will dash up TO the officer IN
command or the parade with orders for
him to prepare to receive an attack of
Confederate infantry. The parade will be
broken up aud the regiment will hurry
back to their stations. The alarm. how
ever. will prove to be false one, and upon
tie bugle call of TATTOO" and the mellow
notes of ths welcome taps" the camp
will sink into silence. The lights will then
be lowered through the field, showing the
camp scene at night with the lonely
vidette posted on the picket limo TO warn
the camp of danger. AS he sits on his
horse looking into the darkness
that shrouds the field Confede-
rate scout will come slowly along the
winding road. Seeing the picket he will
dismount, and stealthily creeping through
the grass to where the nnsusplcious guard
is drowsily counting the moments when
he may be relieved and crawl under his
blanket to snatch few moments OF sleep
ere the duties of another day of strife
shall begin. he will rise, like a spectre in
the darkness, and throwing the startled
horse back upon his launches shoot the
yldette, who, reeling from his saddle, will
fall TO the ground. The scout, hearing the
approach of the vidette guard, whose at
tention has been attracted by the shot,
will vault into the saddle of the fallen vi
dette and gallop to his own horse. mount,
and lead away the captured animal as o
spoil of war. The vidette party, coming
into the field and finding their dead COM
rade will raise him to the bow OF the sad
die and bear him from the field.
TIE STRAINS OF DIXIE.
As they leave the sound Of the drum
and the fife skirling the stirring strains OF
Dixie will be heard from the distance, and
into view will come the Confederates and
at once begin the erection of their fort
and breastworks. This scene will De
shown in actual detail. After the breast
| works have been erected fire will be
opened on both sides and the battle rage
| fercely. Preparations will then be seen
| in the Federal camp TO mine the Confede-
rate works. A lull will come in tue fight
| ING. a body OF officers will hold a hur-
ried consultation. and a man, running
with lighted torch, will enter the mine
| in answer to signal rocket thrown into
| the d.r from distant point. The
mine will fail TO explode, and another
| man will be sent in to rellght
the fuse. The Federal army will stand in
| readiness waiting 10 spring upon the un-
suspectln2 Confederates, and as the gray
dawn of morning chases the shadows from
| the field, with a grumbling roar, which
seems TO shake the earth TO Its fOunda-
| tions, the ground will upheave and men,
guns, aud earth be shot in a column OF car
mage, lighted by flaming tongues OF fire,
high into the air When the dust and
smoke have settled dowa the gaping hole,
| filed with the debris of the explosion, Will
| appear where the Confederate breast
works stood.
THE FEDERAL RUSH.
| With a cheer the Federal troops will
rush to the Crater and attempt 10 gain the
! other side of the chasm; but the llttie
| band of guards stationed in the breast
works will defend with ball, bayonet, and
| fist the strip of vantage-ground that lies
| between the Crater and the fort, and, with
| good old rebel yell" drive the invading
| forces back and down until the yawning
pit is filed with the struggling mass OF
humanity. The second charge Will be
made and the entire Confederate forces
| lead through the breach and make their
victory complete. This scene ends with
| a tableau of all the forces engaged
| While this tabieau Is being formed at
| the other end of the field dense cloud OF
smoke will be noticed, and as 1t lifts
magnificent tableau showing the last coun-
| eli of war before Appomattox will be dis
closed 10 view. General Lee and his gene.
| raj officers will be seen IN the centre OF
| the group. while the Confederate forces
| Will be ranged in n semi-circle about them;
Away to the rear will be seen the Federal
army awaiting for the outcome OF the
council. This scene will be closed by
| flight of 800 rockets, which Will be sent
up from ali sides of the tableau, forming a
canopy of golden fire. This will be the
! concluding tableau of the exhibition.
I There n-e many other features which
lack of space prevents giving in detail,
| but II is safe to say that from the opening
| Of the entertainment until the fnal tab
leau the series of stii ting scenes aud incl,
dents which will be presented will bold
| the attention of the audience chained:
Over $50 men, including all arms OF the
service, will participate.
TRIALS OF SPEED.