Article from the Middletown Press, Durham, January 24.
Members of the Durham Historical Society glimpsed into the past at a recent meeting when past President Francis E. Korn read an excerpt from the Durham Lyceum Journal of September 12, 1865. The article concerned Durham’s welcome to returning soldiers and it was written by Mrs. C. G. Newton, editor of the Journal. The article follows:
“In the morning the first sound that broke upon the sleepy ears was the 36 guns, the number of states yet in the undivided Union.
“Then in every house preparations for the holiday were in rapid progress. We give the program—not because anyone stayed at home but that the record of the day may descend to future generations so that when our children’s children read of the “Soldiers’ Welcome” all over our land, they may rejoice that their fathers were among the foremost in giving praise and honor to those whom we cannot praise and honor enough.
“The procession formed at the Green and marched to the residence of the Hon. James Wadsworth—(now Reuben Hubbard’s) who was the orator of the day, then returning past the Green marched on to Lyman’s Grove. One of the principal features of the procession was the ‘Car of Beauty’ containing 36 young ladies robed in white, each wearing a sash of red, white and blue, bearing the name of the state she represented, and the Goddess of Liberty radiant with stars and diadem in their midst.
“Order of the procession: Grand marshal with aids, flag-bearers with aids, drum corps. Artillery company, veteran soldiers; car of beauty, drawn by nine pairs of red oxen; ladies on foot, committee of arrangements, officers of the day, clergy and orators, cornet band, Colonel Atwell and Staff, soldiers of 1812 in carriages, citizens.
“Seats had been provided in the Grove for the large audience. A chapter was read and prayer offered by Rev. Dr. Seward. Addresses were made by the president. L. M. Leach, Rev. Mr. Seward and Rev. Mr. Loomis. Original poems were read by Miss Mary Hart and Frederic Hubbard. An oration was delivered by the Hon. James Wadsworth, and this whole interspersed with music by the Cornet band, the Drum corps and the Deacons’ Glee club. There was the presentation of a bouquet by the Goddess of Liberty to Colonel Atwell, and an address to the soldiers by Willie Hubbard (about six years old) occupied the time until dinner was ready, when all were marched around the 650 feet of table to increase their appetite by feeding their hungry eyes on the more than 650 feet of provisions. Dinner was followed by the reading of toasts; this was the last one: ‘The Day we celebrate, let it be marked in the calendar for all time, the Durham soldiers Welcome Home, August 31, 1865.
“After which all moved to the east side of the Grove to witness a sham battle on the hill opposite, which closed the day’s program.”
Members of the Durham Historical Society glimpsed into the past at a recent meeting when past President Francis E. Korn read an excerpt from the Durham Lyceum Journal of September 12, 1865. The article concerned Durham’s welcome to returning soldiers and it was written by Mrs. C. G. Newton, editor of the Journal. The article follows:
“In the morning the first sound that broke upon the sleepy ears was the 36 guns, the number of states yet in the undivided Union.
“Then in every house preparations for the holiday were in rapid progress. We give the program—not because anyone stayed at home but that the record of the day may descend to future generations so that when our children’s children read of the “Soldiers’ Welcome” all over our land, they may rejoice that their fathers were among the foremost in giving praise and honor to those whom we cannot praise and honor enough.
“The procession formed at the Green and marched to the residence of the Hon. James Wadsworth—(now Reuben Hubbard’s) who was the orator of the day, then returning past the Green marched on to Lyman’s Grove. One of the principal features of the procession was the ‘Car of Beauty’ containing 36 young ladies robed in white, each wearing a sash of red, white and blue, bearing the name of the state she represented, and the Goddess of Liberty radiant with stars and diadem in their midst.
“Order of the procession: Grand marshal with aids, flag-bearers with aids, drum corps. Artillery company, veteran soldiers; car of beauty, drawn by nine pairs of red oxen; ladies on foot, committee of arrangements, officers of the day, clergy and orators, cornet band, Colonel Atwell and Staff, soldiers of 1812 in carriages, citizens.
“Seats had been provided in the Grove for the large audience. A chapter was read and prayer offered by Rev. Dr. Seward. Addresses were made by the president. L. M. Leach, Rev. Mr. Seward and Rev. Mr. Loomis. Original poems were read by Miss Mary Hart and Frederic Hubbard. An oration was delivered by the Hon. James Wadsworth, and this whole interspersed with music by the Cornet band, the Drum corps and the Deacons’ Glee club. There was the presentation of a bouquet by the Goddess of Liberty to Colonel Atwell, and an address to the soldiers by Willie Hubbard (about six years old) occupied the time until dinner was ready, when all were marched around the 650 feet of table to increase their appetite by feeding their hungry eyes on the more than 650 feet of provisions. Dinner was followed by the reading of toasts; this was the last one: ‘The Day we celebrate, let it be marked in the calendar for all time, the Durham soldiers Welcome Home, August 31, 1865.
“After which all moved to the east side of the Grove to witness a sham battle on the hill opposite, which closed the day’s program.”