Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-05-01
PETERSBURG PREPARING
RECEPTION TO TAFT
Military Escort Will Be Provided and
Camp Of Confederate Veterans
Will Turn Out.

Will Turn Out.
PETERSBURG, VA. April 30
President Taft's plans fer his visit
to Petersburg on May 10. when he
attends the dedication and unwilling
of a $4,000 monument near Fort
Malone, were made known to the re-
ception and entertainment committee
here today by letter from Secretary
Carpenter.
President. Mrs. Taft and the re-
mainder OF his party will reach
Petersburg at 9:15 o'clock. having
taken breakfast on the train. Ulon
his arrival here, the President will 10
to Fort Malone. a distance Of two
and half miles. and remain there
until 1880 o'clock.
At that hon- the chief executive OF
the nation becomes the guest of Pc
terslurg made memorable by the
great number OF battles whnin its
limits or a short distance from the
heart of the city during the cam
paign of 1864.
TO reach the city from the site OF
the unwilling. President Taft will
drive over roadways which were ira
versed by thousands and thousands Of
armed men. AMI before him will
stretch miles of territory on which
the most fearful struggles between
General Grant and General Lee took
place.
The crater, which bears mute evil
dence Of the most sensational and ap-
palling battle during the ten months
of carnage around this city. is but a
few hundred yards from the historic
and sanguinary Jerusalem Plank
Road over which President Taft may
ride into the city to attend the func-
tions given by the citizens in his
honor.
Forty-f;ve years ago the crater was
a knoll, known as ElliOtt's Salient.
Then Peg.am's battery. composed Of
20 or 30 men. was camped t. ere. Now
a deep black. forboding depression
marks the spot. as a result of the
discharge Of 5000 pounds OF powder
by General Burnside's men, who tun-
neled 500 feet under the Salient to
dlslodge the bat cry, which occupied
the important position. In the event
President Taft desired to visit the
crater there will be present a score or
more men who took part in the bat
tie which followed the terrific explo-
sion, TO guide him.
Although the President Is scheduled
for rest between O'Clock in the
afternoon. when the luncheon Is over,
and 8 o'clock in the evening, when
the social function is given in honor
of the chief executive and his wife, 1t
Is probable he will visit some Of the
inaumeratie places OF interest in and
around the city during that time.
Definite information regarding the
Presidents itinerary having been re-
ceiyed here, the committee will rap
idly perfect their plans so as to have
the city and citizens in readiness for
one Of the biggest days in the history
Of Petersburg.
The city council and individuals
have subscribed a liberal sum to be
expended in decorating the city, and
Petersburg viii! be in gala attire when
the President arrives. 10 addition to
the decorating done by a committee
for that purpose. almost every house
holder will d. flags. banners and bunt-
ing.
In addition to the battle-scarred
members Of the A. P. Hill Camp. Con-
federate Veterans. who have been
asked to take part in the unveilinE
exercises. II Is planned TO have a
military escort for the President when
he comes into Petersburg. The mil
itary will escort Mr.. Taft to Center
Hill Mansion" where the aifresco
luncheon Is TO he served. and com
pose PCT OF the guard Of honor for
the chief executive when he delivers
his address from a platform on a
knoll in the rear Of the mansion.
Although ropss will be stretched to
Irevent crowding around the platform
the gates will b. thrown open to the
general puii.c. and II Is expected 20
600 PERSONS will be p;escnt. The el-
ovation from which Mr.. Taft will
speak o. near q street, and persons
assembled there may hear him with
ont di.icaly.
The tables On which the luncheon
~ill be served TO I SEQ persons on the
spacious lawn Oh Center Hill are
unique. They s:e made as boxes.
which have bs"n filled eith earth.
over which sod has Teen placed. The
god cutters hav" REQUIRED hundreds
Of biocss 81 turf which are thicsiy
covered with 5uttercups. Besides the
turf and Ia tercups. which vii, form
the icp Of the table. grsss seed has
becn planted 80 a. to give the turf
. frcshcr appearance. sUd growing
flowers win b. placed b the center
Of the table