The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-07-05
CAMP THOMASS FOURTH.
GREAT JoY OYER THE DESTRUCTION
OF CERVERA'S FLEET.

Reads tho Declaration OF Independence.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, July A Fourth of
July celebration that will be historic took place
In the Auditorium here to-day. Five thousand
people. including army officers. hundreds OF
soldiers, civilians and ladies' and children aud
aged veterans. partlcipatedin q patriotic demon
%stration. " is not the first Fourth on which
soldiers have occupied this city. Thirty-hve
years ago they were here, filling the valley from
Lookout Mountain TO the river and from
Moccasin Bend TO the fields OF modern Chicka-
manga Park. The boys in blue had the
town then. but were not received with the
open-armed cordially that characterized to-
days affair. Bullets and swords mot them at
the threshold then: cheers and flags marked
their reception to-day. Thirty-lve years ago
the boys in gray sang Dixie and the boys In
blue echoed Tho Star Spangled Banner" as
the contendinG armies OF Americans rushed at
each other. To-day tho boys from Georgia
waved their hats and shouted with enthusiasm
when the strains Of The Star Spangled Ban
nor were heard. while the s oldiers from Penn
e~ylvania and Ohio gave to "Dixie cheer after
cheer as the bands gave out the old song dear
to the hearts Of the South.
At tho Auditorium exercises the enthusiasm
reached its highest pitch when bulletins an
nouncing the destruction Of Cervera's fleet
were read. Men. women and children arose
and Joined ina mighty shout, while the waving
OF hundreds Of flags added inspiration to the
scene. Tho exercises lasted q little over an
hour, concluding with three rousing cheers
for the flag Of tho united country Dur
ing this time the First Maine Band
rendered several selections. one OF them
being n medley Of patriotic airs which
provoked the most intense enthusiasm In the
audience. Among tho numbers most popularity
received were Yankee Doodle. RED, White and
Blue. America" and Dixie" The First Maine
Quartet sang a song. and "Tenting on the
Old Camp Ground" was also rendered by a
chorus. The large choir and the audience near
the close OF the exercises Joined in America"
after which the benediction was pronounced.
Brig. Gen. Fred Grant was introduced to the
audience by Mayor Watkins and stood for q few
moments unable to proceed because of the
continued cheering, that seemed to make tho
building fairly tremble. He expressed thanks
for the ovation and then proceeded to read the
Declaration of Independence. The first speaker
was DR.. II. G. McCook. chaplain Of the Second
Pennsylvania, a distinguished citizen and
famous orator. DIR. McCook spoke briefly. He
greeted the citizens Of Chattanooga as
a representative OF the city Of Old
Independence Hall and Liberty Bell" He re-
ferred to the united nation" and reminded
his audience that while we are joyful to-day be-
cause OF victories achieved we are sad because
the flag must be draped for those who have
fallen. There was the greatest enthusiasm
when DR.. McCook told Of meeting Gen. Lee at
Jacksonville. and q daughter Of Fighting Joe"
Wheeler at Tampa. Illustrating the cordial re-
lations now existing between the North and
the South.
IF we were not q united people, he de-
clared, you would not have witnessed such a
greeting OF Gen. Grant to-day by Northern
shouts and rebel yells. [Cheers.l A century's
work has already been accomplished" he said.
"The time is already here when we can appre-
ciate the sentiment Of Patrick Henry when he
said. L am no longer q Virginian. l am an
American" lGreat applause.l
The only other speaker was Col. Govan Of the
First Mississippi. an ex-Confederate soldier.
who eloquently asserted the loyalty of the
Southern people to the flag in the present
struggle.
This afternoon six regiments at Camp
Thomas were ordered to break camp. and are
ready to board cars early in the morning. To-
night. after trains had been sent to the park
and the work Of loading baggage actually
began. Gen. Brooke received an order from
Washington resembling an order received
this morning to despatch six regiments at
once TO Charleston. S. G. The regiments that
Gen. Brooke had selected to go were the Third
Wisconsin Infantry, Col. Fred Bennett: Fourth
pennsylvania lnlaHCry, COl. DdNlu J.. Ease,
Fourth Ohio Infantry. Col. Alonzo II. Colt Six
tcenth Pennsylvania Infantry. Col. Willis d.
Rulings. and Second Wisconsin Infantry. Col.
Charles A. Born. Major-Gen. James H. Wilson
was designated to take command q the eXpe-
dition and Immediately began the organization
OF his staff and to make preparations for de-
parture.
The news to break camp was received with
the greatest enthusiasm in the camps of the
regiments. Officers and men spent the entire
afternoon packing up. The work OF completing
the equipment Of the regiments was hastily
done. Ten days travelling rattons were issued.
Trains were sent to the park tonight. Gen.
Wilson md staff were just about to
board cars and all was in readiness for
the departure Of the troops early In the
morning when at 8 O'Clock tho resembling
order was received. At midnight the men are
sleeping, fully expecting to be away to Santi-
ago early in the morning. The reason for the
change OF plan is not known. but 1t is presumed
that tho change in the situation at Santiago
had much to do with the ~stoppage OF the i'm
pending movement. An order for the six regi-
ments to proceed may be received tomorrow
and it may not.
The Eighth New York was to-day presented
with a stand Of colors by the New York Society
OF the Sons Of the Revolution. The presenta-
ton took place In front OF Gen. Grants head
quarters, Gen. Grant presenting the colors In
behalf Of the society. At the same time Gen.
Grant was presented with a fine sword. a gift
from the society. The Eighth and Fourteenth
will be paid tomorrow. Major H. @. Benson,
formerly Captain In the Fourth o.. s. Cavalry.
reported for duty to-day as Inspector-Genera
OF Gen. Grants division.
One Of the happiest men in camp over the
; prospect OF moving is Major Glassford OF the
Signal Corps. The Signal Corps is composed Of
regular army men. and their MAJORS one OF the
most competent signal service men tho army
possesses. Gen. Burke was not at all surprised
to receive orders to move some of the regi'
ments; in fact. he feels surprised that rein.
forcemonts have not been ordered for Gen
Shafter before.
t Capt. +. L. Bartlett, Company D.. Of the FRS
. Mninn diad Last niDht ut tho ranlmantnl hnani