Page:George Washington National Monument.djvu/9

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

5

immediately in front of the City Hall, presented an imposing spectacle. The military assemblage (commanded in chief, for the day, by Major-General Quitman of the United States Army, and General Cadwallader and Colonel May, commanding specially the infantry and cavalry troops respectively) was unusually large, and the appearance and discipline of the troops, both regulars, marines, and uniform companies, was highly creditable. Distinguished officers on their mettled chargers were curveting about in front of the long lines of men, whose different colored plumes and rich and various uniforms gave variety to what, in a regular army would have too much of stiff uniformity.

A beautiful banner, executed by several ladies of Galveston, and sent to General Houston to be deposited in the Monument, and presented in the name of a committee whose eloquent letter accompanying it, was read to the Board, by the Secretary,[1] and the banner borne in the procession by Mr. J. F. Lewis of Texas, who, in the absence of General Houston, was requested to present it. This flag was about a yard wide and one and a-half long, the top white, the bottom pink, groundwork purple with a large star in brown and yellow. This flag was beautifully executed, and presented by Misses C. Sydnor, Mary E. Rhodes, Sarah Sydnor, Caroline White, Kate Hyller, Fanny Trueheart, Lucinda Knight, and Emma White.

Another beautiful banner was also presented by Mr. William Alexander, in the name of an Association of young men in Baltimore, who made an address to the Board, which was responded to by General Walter Jones.[2] This banner was of white satin, the vignette, a female figure holding in one hand a drawn sword, and with the other the Seals of Justice; in the distance a ship was seen entering the harbor, the whole encircled with a gold wreath. The name of the Association was in gold letters.

The following was the order of the procession.

The President of the United States, the Secretary of State, and the President's Private Secretary, in a carriage, attended by the Marshal and Deputy Marshal of the District of Columbia, and several assistant Marshals, with batons, rosettes, and sashes.
The members of the Cabinet, in carriages.
The Marshal of the Day (Joseph H. Bradley, Esq.) on horseback, attended by his aids on horseback, with batons and sashes.

Major-General Quitman, commanding-in-chief, and staff.

Military escort, consisting of the following cavalry, commanded by Colonel May:

Laurel Troop, Captain Capron.

Marlborough Cavalry, Captain Tuck.

Mounted Carbiniers, a Baltimore Troop, Captain Murdock.

Ringgold Cavalry from Alexandria.

Eagle Artillerists of Baltimore, Captain Kane.

Capitol Hill Artillerists, Captain Robinson, a juvenile corps.

Infantry, under the command of General Cadwalader.

United States Marines, with their powerful band, under Major Walker.

Independent Blues of Baltimore, with their excellent band. Captain Slum.

Baltimore City Guards, Lieutenant McDonald.

  1. Appendix No. 4.
  2. Ibid. No. 5.