Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-24
A BRAVE CARNIVAL.
IMMENSE AUDIENCE ENJOYS THE
GREAT SPECTACULAR FEAST.
DISTINGUISHED PERSONS PRESENT.
Desperate. But nIoodiess, Battle
Confcdcrntcs Rout the Turlss-Tbe
play of Fireworks.

take is invariably wei done, and their
carnival. carefully planned and faithfully
carried out at the baseball grounds last
night, was a triumphant success.
1t was superb spectacle from every
point of view. From the battle-ground
one looked upon the stands crowded with
some of the falrest daughters Of old Viz
gina, and many distinguished people were
noticed in the assembly. including the
Governor. the Mayor, and other high Of
fciais. \ conservative estimate places
the number present at $500. and the mark
would probably be found between that
and 1900.
Fully an hour before the show COM
menced the people began TO pour into the
stands as fast as the Traction cars could
carry them from the city. Every con-
diton was propitious. and a gentle breeze
which stirred the air made the grand
stand, crowded as 1t was, haven of
comfort, as well as Of recreation.
MARCH TO LIVELY STRAINS.
With military promptness the heavy
tramp OF the soldiers was heard on Broad
street at $50 o'clock, and the troops who
were to take part in the sham battle
which was distinctly the feature Of the
evening. entered the grounds. headed by
the Blues Band. playing the lively strains
Of Halls march, dedicated to Nirgina's
crack battalion. They marched at once
to their quarters on either side OF the
field behind their Notifications, the Turks
to the right and the Greeks to the left
and the "Old Guard" at convenient
distance. ready to take up their cue.
The interim from the time the crowd
began to gather until the arrival Of the
troops had not been tedious, and was by
no means devoid Of entertaining incident.
The chief contributors to this state of
affairs were the gentlemen who dispensed
such refreshments as "double-jonted pea
nuts" "blue-booded peanuts" 'red pop
corn In green paper" "cgars and cigar
ettes," forcing them upon your attention
with the loud-voced order to shell out
lively" And their commands We're duly
needed. for soon their stock in trade dis
appeared.
The performance opened with the
Broad-street vaudtVillcs, whose services
were lent for the occasion through the
courtesy OF the Traction Company. The
really strong bill proved a popular at
traction, and the various features were
received with some show OF enthusiasm.
THE BATTLE Is or.
At the close OF this first part. the stage,
with IT. electrical attachments. which
had been placed directly in front Of the
grandstand. disappeared as II by magic,
and tho time was ripe for .ho sham bat
tie
The two forts on either side had been
very much on tho alert during tho vaude-
yilla performance. Guards had been
mounted every fifteen minutes. and
scouts were actively engaged. The forts
were formed by canvas painted TO repre- |
sent stonework stretched on wooden !
posts. To tho left a9 you faced the bat
te-held was Fort NolO. the stronghold |
Of tho Greeks. with three battle-fiags
flying from its turrcts. Company A. of
tho Blues. and q platoon Of Howitzers. |
formed the garrison on the right was
tho Turks position. n less ostentatious |
fort even as their costumes were less |
picturesque. But in tho matter OF num- |
berg they had the advantage Of the |
enemy. being composed OF Company B, |
OF tho Blues; the Walker Light Guard, |
and a platoon OF Howltzers. The Old |
Guard. which was to represent the |
United States in tho desperate struggle, |
was entrenchcd to the southwest Of the |
The Greeks were commanded by Prince |
Constantine Captain Clarence NyatO,
while Captain Frank Cunningham APP
pearod as Prince George, and Lieutenant !
w S. =. Mayo as General Smolenski.
Lieutenant william Russell as General /
Osman Pasha directed the operations or
the Turks. with Lieutenant William VI:
Myers as his lieutenant-generaL Colonel
E. Leslie Spence was at the head OF the
United States troops.
ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
The battle opened with desultory firing
upon the Greek outDosts; some light
skirmishng followed. and then. with all
available troops in the field the fight was
begun i'm earnest The cannon Numbered
from the forts and the rattle Of mus
kerry was incessant. Gradually the Turks
gave WAY, after a stubborn resistance,
and were driven into their stronghold,
" hich however was captured by the
Turks and the victory was followed by
"A massacre. Women were brought from
the fort and shot I'm the omen for the
benefit of the spectators. The loss on
both sides was enormOus-tWenty-ilFe
rounds Of ammunition ii is said.
But the day was not yet WOE FOR the
Mussulman. The old Guard came TO the
rescue. and with dauniless courage drove
the Turks back 10 their fort. completely
routing them. The battle was followed
by a parade. and the troops formed IN
front of the grandstand, from which point
rhey witnessed the fireworks. which
Closed IIt enter Aall44AtlAA
ELABORATE FIREWORK DISPLAY.
The display was a very elaborate one, !
beginning during the sham-fght with
rockets and colored fires which latter
threw a picturesque glow upon the epe-
-ations Of the rival armies. and ending
with several fine "set pieces" the most
and successful Of which was
! design showing a soldier I'm the full
lress uniform of the Blues with the let
ers. "R h. J. b." at the top. and the
late OF the organization Q7S) at the foot |
L was very effective and was loudly
,heered.
Then came Dixie" greeted with the
renyied appreciation OF the crowd, and
The play was Ger
FOR THE UNIFORM FUND.
The object of the carnival was the
idridation OF the debt Of the battalion.
which was incurred principally by the
,ew uniforms. bought a short time ago.
The expenses Of last nights entertain
ncut are roughly estimated at 500 and a
cry large portion Of the debt Will now
De- wiped out.
he Turkish and Grecian uniforms. These
gere very effective. The Greeks wore
,hfte knickerbOckers and white. fun
ests with yellow ties and sashes ard .
reen zouave jackets: the Turks wore red
antaloOns and shirts with blue zouaye
ackets.
5 il was successful and fully justified
ne announcements which had been made
T IL. and reflected great credit upon Mr.
IOrace +. Smith. under whose direction | =
took place. and the other gentlemen /
tho prearranged all the details
HE MAY he PRESIDENT.