Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 22.djvu/386

 374 Southern Historical Society Papers.

Little Edward McCarthy is a perfect brunette. He wore a white shirt, on which were pinned several badges, and dark knee-breeches and stockings.

THE FACE EXPOSED.

When the children and their escort reached the base of the monu- ment, the bugle was sounded a second time. A quick tug at the ropes was given, the veil dropped from the head and shoulders of the figure, and a deafening cheer, accompanied by the report of one of the Howitzers' guns went up.

Again there was a pull upon the ropes, and the veil fell so as to ex- pose the whole statue. Then the vast throng seemed to go wild with enthusiasm. Cheer after cheer rent the air, the guns of the Howit- zers were fired in rapid succession, and volley upon volley of mus- ketry joined in to emphasize the greeting to the bronze sentinel.

The scene was one that baffles description. The veterans were carried back to the days of real war, and their eyes flashed as of old. The situation was exceedingly realistic. The firing was kept up for several seconds, and the time really seemed much longer. The cadets from the Virginia Military Institute and all of the infantry joined in the shooting, which was very warlike, if not dangerous.

REMOVED THE CLOTH.

Although Mr. Cole sent his men up yesterday morning, and had the veil so adjusted as to guard against any hitch in the unveiling, the further precaution was taken of keeping the Hayes truck near by for use in any emergency.

The ropes, though wet, worked fairly well, and the cover would have fallen properly but for being wet. It hung on the ornamenta- tion at the top of the column, and as soon as the ceremonies were over the truck was brought around, and three firemen were soon up there walking around the bronze sentinel.

As soon as the cloth was gotten down the crowd hurriedly dis- persed, availing themselves of street-cars, wagons and hacks, as far as possible. The great majority had to trudge home through the rain.

OUR TWO CRACK CADET CORPS.

Guard Mount on the Capitol Square Movements of the Handsome Lads.

To almost every citizen there is a peculiar fascination for military