NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
July and August 1863
From The Missouri Democrat, Monday, July 13, 1863.
A GLORIOUS CELEBRATION.
IMMENSE AND MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY.
Unparalleled Exhibition of the National Colors.
Overflow of Popular Enthusiasm.
MYRIADS OF PATRIOTIC DEVICES.
Resplendent Illumination of St. Louis.
DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS.
INTERESTING DETAILS.
The Eleventh Day of July, A. D., 1863, shall be long and vividly remembered in St. Louis, and by all who had the felicity to be present here on that day. The glorious and decisive triumphs at Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Tullahoma and Helena had flooded the broad land of the loyal with joy, yet they were hailed with peculiar delight by the harassed Unionists of Missouri, and especially by the anxious people of St. Louis. The popular rapture here found fit expression in one of the grandest exhibitions of national ensigns, and one of the most resplendent illuminations ever witnessed either on this or on any other continent. Our relieved people celebrated the rescue from imminent and long continued peril, of all that men prize and patriots hold dear. They commemorated the new and most grateful assurance of national and political salvation.
When, on last Tuesday, the date of the receipt of the tidings of gladness, our Common Council came together, the one thought of its members, caught from the popular mind, was to designate a day of jubilee. Several Councilmen were anticipated by the member who, on the instant that the body was called to order, moved that the Mayor be requested to issue his proclamation, to enable the citizens to join in a fitting commemoration of the triumphs of the national arms. It was a spontaneous impulse of the popular heart, and therefore it was that Mayor Filley’s eloquent proclamation, in unison with that impulse, received the most cordial and glorious of responses.
THE DISPLAY OF RED, WHITE AND BLUE.
His Honor had suggested that the celebration should begin at meridian of Saturday, but it began at the dawning of that day. The morning sunlight illumined thousands of jubilant ensigns, and its increasing rays were reflected from rapidly augmenting multitudes of “the Star Spangled Banner,” till St. Louis appeared decked all over with the glorious symbol. And yet the number and the display increased, while the gay streets were thronged with citizens hurrying homeward with newly purchased specimens of “Old Glory,” and the flag-stores were still crowded with eager purchasers. Since the 22d of February, ’62, on which day there was an extraordinary display of ensigns throughout St. Louis, each recurring festival of patriotism has witnessed the sale of fresh myriads of them, but, unless we mistake, the flag trade of last Friday and Saturday exceeded that of any previous period in St. Louis. Everybody of whatever age, sex or condition, seemed provided with the inevitable flag. Immense ones of bunting, magnificent ones of silk, and tiniest ones of stamped cloth or paper, with countless variations besides, streamed almost everywhere. Nor was the exhibition of “red, white and blue” confined to the ensign, but appeared in every other conceivable form, in festoons, wreaths, chains, streamers, braids, bows, arches, rosettes, triangles, in the dresses of ladies and children, and in the lavish decorations of show windows, awnings, pillars, porches, &c., &c. Long strips of red, white and blue extended from window to window, post to post, house to house, &c., trees blossomed richly with the national colors, gardens bloomed with new and unwonted luxuriance, columns were entwined with the beautiful symbols, and they were charmingly woven in lines of oak leaves and evergreens, stretched across the streets. The Germans, especially, decorated their dwellings and stores with an abundance of verdant foliage, in which the red, white and blue were lovingly displayed with Teutonic jet, crimson and gold. So immense was the demand for the materials of adornment that these soon became scarce, commanded marvelous prices, and could scarcely be obtained at those.
PREPARATIONS TO ILLUMINATE.
Amid all this gorgeous display of flags, from an early hour, progressed a most busy scene of preparations for the gorgeous illumination at night. Carpenters, tinners, troops of other mechanics and laborers, and thousands of citizens besides, were adjusting tons of candles and lamps in miles of windows, or executing ingenious devices to intensify and add to the expected grand effect. The candle trade vied with the flag trade, and the vast quantities of Chinese lanterns, cups, &c., imported or made for the occasion, were pronounced “sold out.” Small flags were then cut and formed into lanterns of simplest style, and brought extravagant prices. They who had deferred preparations for the all important occasion, experienced sensations not unlike those of the imprudent virgins who, when the wise ones were illuminating, found themselves “without oil in their lamps.”
GUNPOWDER CONSUMPTION.
The consumption of gunpowder by explosion of pistols and various fireworks, was scarcely less than that of the 4th of July, one week previous. Indeed, the “immortal Fourth” was in this and many other respects, “done over again,” and improved upon, the second celebration being really a commemoration of the new glory given to the great Fourth by our army at Vicksburg.
CLOSING OF STORES, &C.
The prompt closing of all places of business, left the toiling masses free to participate fully in the jubilee, and the thoroughfares were, especially during the afternoon, crowded with men, women and children, in holiday glee, on foot and in carriages. We noted with pleasure, the voluntary closing of large numbers of saloons, showing the patriotic ardor of their proprietors, and contributing much to that preservation of order which, to an extent quite unusual, marked the celebration throughout. Some other establishments were almost per force kept open for an hour or two past noon, by the popular rush for candles, and decorative materials.
NOON SALUTE.
At meridian, a national salute of thirty-five guns, one for each of the United States of America, was fired at the foot of Pine street, by a section of Col. H. Almstedt’s 2d Missouri Artillery, in honor of the recent glorious successes of Meade, Grant, Rosecrans, and Prentiss.
THE GRAND ILLUMINATION.
As the afternoon waned, and the vast preparations for the night scene drew near completion, the out of-door crowds increased; the roar of pistols, miniature cannon, double-headers, &c., became incessant and almost deafening. Immense bonfires were kindled at the corners, while sky-rockets ascended in the still sunlit sky, and bands of music, pealing heroic strains, moved briskly through the streets. The display of fireworks grew in volume and brilliancy as the shadows lengthened, and as dusk came on, the long rows of street windows began to gleam and blaze, till, through the deep night, the whole grateful city shone out beautiful with bright joy. The effect, as witnessed from the Court House dome, was indescribably resplendent. From center to circumference the Mound City was gorgeously radiant, while from hundreds of points rockets were arching over her and bursting in spangles of red, white and blue.
To fully detail even the more striking particulars of the GRAND ILLUMINATION, omitting none and doing justice to all, would prove next to impossible. We must therefore promise that the following are only some of the more noteworthy features of the display:
The chief features of brilliancy were of course to be found in the central portion of the city, on Fourth, Fifth and Sixth streets, and from Elm to Wash street, yet hundreds of points elsewhere shone forth in remarkable splendor.
Amid the dazzling exhibition the Court House shone finely, yet not with the effulgence anticipated. The front and wings were gleaming with Chinese lanterns; the lofty dome was radiant, and around it, beneath the circular windows, as well as along the eaves of the building, were disposed numerous varicolored and lighted cups. But the principal attraction was the interior of the magnificent and patriotic dome―a monument of confident patriotism that reflects the highest credit on the firm hearts that caused its erection and national decoration in a period of much doubt and dismay. The rotunda and dome were gorgeously illuminated, and were visited and gazed upon with tireless delight by charmed crowds. From the top of the edifice rockets were incessantly shot upward till a late hour. A fined band, placed on the front steps of the Court House, discoursed rich melodies that entranced the thronging multitudes.
[In regard to the exterior display at the Court House, we learn that a contract had been made to supply it with one thousand Chinese lanterns, to burn for six hours. The party obligated furnished only two hundred and fifty of these lanterns, and hence the partial failure to fulfil the promises made as to the illumination of the Court House.]
The General Hospital just west of the Court House blazed in beauty from base to roof. The magnificent and fair marble structure with its palatial front and ample windows on Fifth and Chesnut streets, presented a fit field of display, and the opportunities were so well improved by the convalescent patients, nurses, &c., that few buildings were more beautifully adorned. Panes of glass had been covered with tissue paper of red, white and blue, and adorned with stars and other devices, while a profusion of flags, festoons, wreaths, &c., &c., appeared around the dazzling windows. The suffering patients within, who have become wounded or sick in their country’s service, must have found great gratification in these evidences of the joy of national success.
The Planters’ House had all its street windows brilliantly lighted, and showed the national flag in each.
The Everett House, with its lofty front, occupying an entire block, had each of his windows dazzlingly illuminated, and by itself exhibited a magnificent appearance, which was highlighted by a show of flags and Chinese lanterns.
During a large portion of the day, and especially at night, crowds gathered on Fourth street, opposite the lofty front of Messrs. Ubadell & Peirson’s, where unusually imposing preparation were in progress. From a tall staff upon the summit floated a flag of grand proportions. Rows of large and small flags and of Chinese lanterns stretched along the windows of each story, and similar rows extended downwards by the corners and windows. An immense triangle of Chinese lanterns had its base upon the awning and its apex at the roof. Around the awning or porch were flags and lanterns, very thickly and effectively disposed. From the central portion of the awning rose a colossal transparency, executed with neatness and skill. On the north side, within the emblazoned names of “Grant, Meade, Rosecrans and Prentiss,” were the words, “Honor to the Champions of Union and Liberty,” Beneath were the lines:
“The Game of Bragg is Played Out.”
“The President’s Prayer: Grant U. S. More Victories Im-MEADE-iately.”
“No peace with a divided country.”
The south side exhibited within the words “Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Tullahoma and Helena, the inscription,”
“Victories worthy of celebration by all patriots.”
Beneath were the life-size portraits of Pemberton and Grant, the former in an abjectly stooping posture, asking, “What are your best terms?” and the latter rigidly erect and placidly smoking, replying, “An unconditional surrender.”
E. Morgan’s auction establishment, No. 107 Fourth, with the store of E. A. Corbett next north, showed splendidly. Corbett’s was thickly hung with flags, festoons of red, white and blue, and Chinese lanterns. Morgan’s was also crowded with lanterns and flags, amid which, from the awning, rose a large and rich transparency, exhibiting in letters of imperial proportions the words:
“Our Country: its BRAVE AND NOBLE DEFENDERS. Honor to the Heroes of Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Tullahoma and Helena―Grant, Meade, Rosecrans and Prentiss.”
The transparency was a chaste and really beautiful one, tastefully starred, and, with its inscription, was characteristic of the directness, energy and good sense of Morgan. Here we may properly mention that Morgan’s stock yard, for Government sales, at Fifth and Carr streets, was also very richly illuminated with Chinese lanterns.
The Ohio & Mississippi, Terre Haute & Alton, Pacific and Iron Mountain railroad offices were illuminated with taste and splendor. On the door of the St. Louis, Alton & Chicago Railroad office was a transparency with the words:
“Vicksburg has fallen. The Stars and Stripes float over the Stronghold. On to Richmond! Honor to the Brave.”
From the building hung a hundred flags of large and small dimensions, radiant with torches, Chinese lanterns and candles.
Fourth street and Washington avenue, that had exhibited the grandest display of patriotic bunting, from Major General Schofield’s headquarters, from those of General Strong, and District Provost Marshal Allen, as well as from Ticknor & Co.’s, Pomeroy & Benton’s, Warne, Cheever & Co.’s, N. H. Clark’s, and Oak Hall, shone out prominent in the illumination also. The immense building over Ticknor & Co.’s, and the extensive fronts opposite, Pomeroy & Benton’s large building, Warne & Cheever’s, A. McDowell’s, and the U. S. Express Company, in the Collier Block, were all gorgeously lighted. At this point, the scene was, perhaps, more dazzlingly splendid than at any other. The structures referred to are all palatial, and their vast fronts look down upon broad thoroughfare, while the view extends far westward up Washington avenue, southward along Fourth street, almost indefinitely, and northward to Franklin avenue. Looking down Fourth street, the stores and buildings seemed almost so many huge masses of light, in which the grove of flags shone with intenser red, white and blue. Up the wide avenue, the lines of illumination could be followed nearly to the western limit of that noble street, while the head of Fourth street, its juncture with Franklin avenue, was in a concentrated blaze of Chinese lanterns, torches and candles.
The Government sewing halls had their windows charmingly adorned with oak foliage, flowers, flags, and many colored lights, disposed with great taste and effect by the fair operatives, and their numerous and generous friends. Mount Verno[n] Hall, on the upper floor of the Department building, thus presented a most pleasing appearance. The Department Headquarters showed in a window on Fourth street a transparency with the words―“Remember the Fourth of July, 1863, and the fall of Vicksburg. The Mississippi shall never be closed. Union Forever!”
The windows of Messrs. Mitchell & Rammelsberg’s well known wholesale rooms were also finely illuminated.
In Verandah Row, the establishments of N. H. Clark, and Charles G. Wells were brilliantly lighted.
As an odd feature may be mentioned the taste and enterprise that exhibited, in front of Morrison & Co.’s, No. 100, Fourth street, a hoop skirt covered with the red, white and blue!
Dimmick & Co.’s gunstore blazed with light and streamed with flags. In the show window were a score or so of miniature cannon, each bearing a flag.
Folsom & Co.’s military store was resplendent, and blazed with the words, “Vicksburg, July 4, 1863.”
Parson & Co.’s military store, Fourth near St. Charles, was decked with rare beauty, and shone superbly. The windows were covered with flags. Even the awning-posts in front were wrapped in red, white and blue.
The St. Louis Theater was patriotically and tastefully decorated. Below, the Gas Company’s office shone with intense luminousness. The Postoffice and Custom House, St. Louis Bank, George’s, at Third and Olive streets, the Union Merchants’ Exhange building, the palatial structures opposite, the grand marble front on Olive below the Custom House, and the Olive Street Hotel were all dazzlingly lighted up. The neighborhood these important buildings occupy was peculiarly brilliant.
Very tasteful and much admired was Mr. Ramsey’s illumination of his Morning News office. Each of the tall and arched windows exhibited fifteen red, white and blue lights, made by tapers in stained glass tumblers. The effect was a most rich and pleasing display of the national colors, exceeding in beauty anything of the kind seen by us elsewhere. The Union office, at Third and Locust streets, also blazed beautifully.
On South Fourth street Nicholson’s immense wholesale grocery establishment was gorgeously illuminated and decorated in excellent taste. Stretching across the front was a transparency bearing Seward’s memorable response, “Tell M. Thouvenel we have a Government!” In an office window was another transparency with the inscription:
“Champion Hill, Vicksburg, and the Capture of the Iron Fingal! A few lessons to Europe on the subject of American Intervention.”
The Soldiers’ Home, the Alhambra, the Tivoli and Washington Garden were all ablaze with many-colored lights and a profusion of the national colors; as well as, with various degrees of effulgence, the numerous large mansions east and west in that portion of the city. South Fifth street, from Elm to Gratiot, was particularly brilliant, and the whole line of Seventh with little interruption, by the residences of those who “love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.”
On Broadway, the lofty façade of the Lawson Hospital attracted great attraction. The display of flags and Chinese lanterns was diversified with festoons of green leaves and wreaths of flowers, while in the center was a grand and beautiful transparency exhibiting an evergreen wreath as the symbol of “The Union.” Morgan & Co.’s boot and shoe store showed very gorgeously, together with Keevil’s hat store, the Randell House and the Brewery. The latter displayed a colossal and dazzlingly bright star, erected with really good taste, and commending a universal approval. The lines of the star were full sixteen feet in length, and the whole bore two hundred and seventeen lights of intense brilliancy. In the center of the star blazed the word “Union”.
Broadway was gloriously lustrous in the northern limits of the city. The rooms of the Protestant Christian Association shone out serenely. Geo. Starr’s bower of plants and flowers, at Broadway and Cherry streets bloomed with charming beauty, additionally adorned with flags, lanterns, &c. In Bremen an imposing effect was produced by the glowing mansions of patriotic citizens—“shining lights” on the hillsides westward.
At the big Mound the firemen of the engine Gen. Lyon kindled a huge bonfire. A skiff captured with the rebel ram Arkansas was piled with barrels of tar, boxes, &c., and the whole consumed, creating an immense “fire of joy.”
Franklin avenue was perhaps the most uniformly lighted thoroughfare of the city, showing one continuous blaze on both sides from Fourth street far westward. Morgan street, especially West Morgan street, shone with marked resplendency. The denizens of Green street were by no means backward and especially rejoiced in pistol firing and pyrotechnics. C. Holmes’s bakery was very radiant and bore a banner inscribed, “The Loyal Bakers of St. Louis.” At Eighth and Green a corner porch was richly decorated with flags and lanterns and blazed forth the sentiment “The Union Forever.”
Washington avenue, and especially the fine buildings west of Eleventh street, glowed most pleasingly. The Lacy House at Sixth was in full blaze, exhibiting the windows covered with red, white and blue, and those on the avenue bearing the felicitous name of “U. S. Grant.”
The engine house of the Missouri No. 5, and the buildings opposite flashed with patriotic fires. From the former the firemen had extended a line across the street, and in the centre suspended a magnificent ensign, on each side of which was hung a wreath of flowers, surrounded with a like wreath, and in the central one, in light, “No. 5.” The wreaths were made with great generosity and equal taste by Mrs. Henry Godfrey, whose residence opposite also shone forth with beauty and patriotism.
On Fifth street the Department Provost Marshal’s office and the large buildings immediately northward, with those opposite, among the latter the former residence of Gen. Frost, blazed spendidly. The “Club House,” the Darby building at Fifth and Olive streets, were also very resplendent.
Hon. Chauncey I. Filley’s residence, on Locust near Seventh street, beamed with pre-eminent brightness. The front upper windows each exhibited a flag, and were crowded with richly colored lanterns, and festooned with red, white and blue. Below were transparencies blazing with the names “Gettysburg and Meade,” “Vicksburg and Grant,” each device showing a shield surrounded with a wreath of evergreens. One window displayed an eagle and another a statue of Washington, each amid small mortars and cannon with balls overhanging representing the army and navy. In front the trees were hung with other lanterns, and with a shield and an eagle; blazing with the words, “Liberty and Union.” At the Mayor’s residence was also a brilliant display of fireworks.
Along Locust street the residence and garden of Mrs. Perry, corner of Sixth, was brilliantly and tastefully illuminated and decorated. On the opposite corner, Hart & Harvey’s entire building was fully lighted. William M. McPherson’s residence and trees were decorated with flags, festoons and lanterns.
The mansion of Henry Shaw, at Seventh and Locust streets, was very tastefully and finely illuminated and adorned with the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Lucas Place shone gloriously. The superb residences of John How, Carlos S. Greely, Mr. Morrison, Mr. Hart, Mr. Gale and Giles F. Filley, with that of Governor Gamble, formerly occupied by Trusten Polk, were all superbly decorated with flags, and brilliantly illuminated.
Among others, the residences of S. T. Glover, on Elm street between Twenty-first and Twenty-second; Major Lowe, at Tenth and Locust; Truman Woodruff, on Olive between Fourteenth and Fifteenth; Wm. A. Doane, on Walnut street; Geo. Partrigde [sic], on Olive near Seventeenth, and Alfred Clapp, on Chesnut street, were splendidly lighted and adorned, as was that of Police Commissioner Riggin at Pine and Ninth streets.
On Market street, the Governor’s illuminated headquarters, opposite the Court House, displayed the coat of arms of Missouri, beneath the national flag, and the words, “Missouri—Her sons have proved their heroism upon every battle field of the Valley.”
Deagle’s Varieties and the Museum building were appropriately lighted and decorated.
In its order, we omitted to name the rooms of the Sanitary Commision, in Fifth, opposite the Court House. They were tastefully and brilliantly adorned with patriotic colors.
Barnum’s Hotel shone magnificently.
Wood’s Hotel on Market street had a light in each pane of glass in fifty-eight windows.
The national colors and lights were also exhibited from the County Jail.
At the northwest corner of Fifth and Pine streets, the Headquarters of Capt. Clemens was tastefully adorned with an ensign twenty feet long, smaller flags, and radiant lanterns.
on a locust tree on the west front of the Court House, Jeff. Davis was benevolently hung in effigy, by some “boys’ from the Hospital opposite.
The illumination on Chouteau avenue and over the southwestern quarter of the city, embracing the fine residences around Union and Lafayette Parks is spoken of in the highest terms. Elsewhere, hundreds of proud mansions were brightly glowing, none of which can find adequate mention in this already too much extended account.
FINALE BY THE FIREMEN.
At about 11 P. M., by which time the most of the lights were out, the Chief Engineer caused a trial alarm to be given at the Fire Alarm Telegraph station, (central) calling out the several engines—Lyon, Franklin, Underwriter and Union. They appeared with alactrity, and finding there was yet no fire, the firemen testified their joyful willingness to entertain the public, by a concert of the steam whistles. For an incredibly musical half hour the engine screams rent the air in triumph, and then concluded the display of the night by returning home.
Celebration of the Fall of Vicksburg at Benton Barracks Hospital.
The soldiers at the hospital, in Benton Barracks, had a glorious celebration of the success of Union arms, on Saturday. Through the kindness of Maj. Russell, the surgeon in charge, and steward Wylie, a bountiful dinner was provided for all. The city silver band was present to enliven the scene with national airs, and the soldiers enjoyed the day better, if possible, than the celebration on the Fourth. After dinner the soldiers, both from the hospitals and barracks, collected in the grove, where a stand had been erected and beautifully decorated with flags. The band came and first went around the amphitheatre, playing some splendid airs. It was pleasant to see the sick and wounded heroes crowd to the windows and halls to hear the music that thrills the hearts of those that love their country. The ladies from the wards were present, that chosen little band of sisters, angels of mercy to the suffering, and added to the festivities of the occasion. The boys were in the best spirits, and were brim full of enthusiasm, for they know how much it cost to achieve those victories.
The meeting was organized by electing Surgeon Ira Russell President, who, upon taking the chair, invited A. G. McCormick to offer prayer, after which the Major stated the object of the meeting—that it was the soldiers’ gathering; that they were to carry it on just as they wished. The following names were then announced as Vice Presidents and Secretaries:
VICE PRESIDENTS.
A. G. McCormick, Geo. C. Haglewood,
James Tompkins, Wm. F. Craven,
William Miller, J. B. Gray,
Samuel L. Stickle, S. M. Bynam,
James Duffy, Joseph Bunth.
SECRETARIES.
Weston Flint, W. Harris Markham,
A. G. Johnson.
Mr. Russell then called for toasts, which were given with a hearty good will.
Vicksburg—The downfall of which makes every loyal heart rejoice and opens up once more the free navigation of the “Father of Waters” to the world.
Mr. A. G. McCormick responded to the toast in a telling speech. He said he had prophesied the fall of Vicksburg when in Iowa a few days ago. Everybody seemed to feel that it must be so very soon. He complimented the Iowa troops, and wished that all men could now be furloughed for twenty days, to go home and see the Copperheads worship the old flag. The war only should end when every traitor laid down his arms, or all of them were dead. [Cheers.]
Major Russell replied and said, McCormick was far-seeing, but he was all I-owa. He had been on the Potomac and in the swamps of the South, and all the soldiers were heroes; all his friends were now soldiers or in their bloody winding sheets.
Music—“Rally Round the Flag, Boys.”
A very expected scene now came in the shape of an enormous cake, beautifully adorned, as a present to Major Russell by Mrs. Blakely, of Independence, Iowa, for his kindness to the sick soldiers of that State. The Major responded in a short speech, but it was evident the cake rather “got him,” as the boys say.
The Girls of Iowa—All honor to those who rather go home alone than be escorted by a Copperhead—and who declare they will never be courted or married until the brave boys return, whom they will receive with open arms.
Music—“The Girl I Left Behind Me.”
The Major said the girls in Iowa were not all the sensible girls in the world.
The Federal Army—Death to secessionists and traitors; the support of the Constitution and the nation; the hope of civil and religious liberty throughout the world—a grateful posterity will ever hold it in remembrance.
Response by William F. Craven, in a plain, practical manner, such as comes from the heart. He told a rich story of the way he served a copperhead, when at home—“Copper” said Old Abe couldn’t bring him under. Bro. Craven took him by the throat, made him get down on his “marrow bones,” and take it all back. He thought it better to go into the kingdom with the eye [?—hard to read], than to be lost.
Our Country—May it continue to be as it has been—the saviour for the down-trodden, the beacon light for the nations of the world and always be “the land of the free, and the home of the brave.”
Post Adjutant P. Lucas, then offered the sentiment of an Englishman who is a Union soldier:
“Let no cursed Copperhead come near my grave.”
He then spoke at some length in a most happy manner, illustrating the position of the Southern Confederacy, by a scene from the school room. Down in Egypt [Southern Illinois] a friend was just fresh from College and went into a school there. One of the boys did not think he would knuckle to a “learned man,” so he held out while the master applied vigorously a thorn-bush to his shoulder. Urchin being asked to give up, said “nary time,” but at last after twisting and turning around under the knotty blows, he said he hated to give up, but beseechingly begged the master to know if he could’nt [sic] take off a few of the “knots.” So it is with the rebels, they hate to give up, but want a few “knots taken off.”
A most comical pantomime was then introduced, representing John Bull, Uncle Sam and the Southern Confederacy. Southern Confed. comes up to John Bull followed by a darkey loaded down with Confed. bonds and asks for favor, but Johnny don’t wish to see him; Uncle Sam meanwhile is whittling complacently and showing from a side pocket a pile of green backs—darkey drops the bonds and creeps around behind Uncle Sam, very glad to see him and Johnny go off together.
Many volunteer toasts were given and spicy little speeches made, when the current of thought was changed and the following toast given:
Our Noble Dead—May their brave and noble deeds be ever embalmed in the memory of free and grateful people to the latest generation.
The band played a dirge, and Major Russell said he had seen many men die, but never saw heroes die till he went into the army. He then introduced Professor Weston Flint, who made a few remarks, and closed by reading a beautiful patriotic poem in commemoration of the heroes who had fallen.
The following volunteer toasts were given:
The fall of Vicksburg—May it be but a prelude to a succession of victories that shall bury the rebellion with its authors—beyond the reach of resurrection.
Our brave soldiers in the field—May their patriotic devotion and heroic deeds be blossomed forth by every true patriot, to the shame and disgrace of all traitors and copperheads.
Major-General Grant the Hero of the West—May his arm be not shortened, his indomitable perseverance never slacken till every traitor shall be made to recognize with deep humility the glorious stars and stripes.
A hearty vote of thanks was given by the soldiers to Major Russell, Stewards Wylie and Cole and Sergeant Lincoln, for their endeavors to make the dinner and celebration a good time for all, as it really proved to be.
The thanks were acknowledged by the officers named, and the meeting closed.
May there be many seasons of joy to these soldiers, and may all the officers in hospitals be as kind and attentive to the wants of those under their care as those of Benton Barracks.
