Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 5.djvu/286

 258 THE GRANITE MONTHLY.

whole party in a state of noisy hilarity, and when they all started up at once to jump out of the boat, they came near over-turning it, to the great disgust cf the oarsmen, one of whom exclaimed, "Well, if that's yer civilation I do n't want to see no more civilationr'

The next day was the great military exhibition. It was no easy matter for the John Gundy to effect a landing, for all the wharves were, continually crowd- ed by vessels setting their passengers ashore. So, while the pilot was watching his chance, he took us all around among the hundreds of ships, most of which he seemed acquainted with, as landsmen are acquainted with persons. It was interesting and delightful. The pilot himself was an original character. He had served as pilot in that harbor during the rebellion, and had seen lively times and retained exciting reminiscences. And he had the loveliest long, English, clay pipes, which he vowed Lord Cornwallis had smoked in, when he occupied Governor Nelson's house, and he presented the priceless relics to the New Hampshire ladies.

General Wentworth had been commissioned to secure eight of the best bar- ouches he could find in Yorktown, to convey Governor Bell and his staff to the parade ground. Pity the whole New Hampshire people could not have seen the party set out in the "barouches !" The first one, occupied by Governor Bell, General Ayling, General Wheeler and General Lane, was really very decent, and was drawn by a span of horses. The second looked not quite so well, and a horse and a mule were harnessed to it. The rest were typical York- town turn-outs. The procession formed into line and started. Senator Talpey and the five ladies rode behind the officers of the staff, in a pale blue wagon without springs and with a most woe-begone horse, the driver trudging along- side. The wagon was not constructed to withstand northern muscle, and one of the ladies, in climbing up into it pulled off the side of the seat, greatly to the grief of the driver and the others.

This vehicle went in front of some of the military who thought they should have precedence, and they instructed their driver to push in ahead. But our driver was told that he was where he belonged, and should stay there, so he sturdily resisted. "These yer says they belongs to the same firm," he said, and jogged steadily on.

So we entered the grounds with regal pomp. Suddenly the mule of the sec- ond barouche, of poetic understanding, conscious of the honor vouchsafed to him, and rising equal to the occasion, brayed right royally and loud, in true martial manner. But the uncomprehending and unsympathetic driver v;as ex- asperated, and looking very cross he explained "That's jest why I 'spise a mule !"

In perfect consistency with the entire management of the celebration, the stand for the President and his friends, the Governors of the different states with their staffs, and the foreign guests, was built after they began to arrive on the ground. New Hampshire hearts swelled with honest pride and satisfaction to know that not one sitting there looked more dignified, handsome and noble, than our own Governor Bell. The immense crowd found comfortable seats in the great pavilion overlooking the whole scene.

The vast plain was a splendid place for the parade. For miles and miles you could see the thousands and thousands of marching troops, their bayonets gleaming through the dust, column after column, regiment after regi- ment moving along as one man. The New Hampshire companies made a fine appearance and did credit to the state. The Maryland troops carried the old flag of the Battle of Eutaw Springs, which has a pretty story. When the soldiers were to march away to the battle, it was found they had no flag, and a patriotic lady resolving that they should not be without a distinguishing banner,

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