The seventy-second anniversary of the return of Evacuation Day was celebrated on Monday by an imposing military parade and review in the Park by the authorities.
As the Common Council made no appropriation this year for the proper observance of the day, what was done in the way of parading and festivities was the result of voluntary enthusiasm on the part of our citizens. Flags, banners and appropriate devices adorned nearly all our hotels, theatres and public buildings, and in many instances the ships in the harbor were gaily decked with flags and streamers. A holyday was given to all the scholars in the public schools, and many old Knickerbockers abstained from business in honor of the day.
The military display was very fine for number and discipline, the First division of New York State Militia never appearing to greater advantage. Nearly all the infantry regiments turned out in heavy marching order, with the recently introduced gray overcoats, which added not a little to the uniformity and beauty of the display. Of late years, the number of our city soldiers have greatly increased, and there could not have been less than 6,000 men under arms. These are not all Americans; indeed, the Irish, and particularly the German regiments, were by far the strongest.
The Veterans of 1812, retaining the spirit that made them heroes in times gone by, proceeded at sunrise to the arsenal, for the purpose of firing a salute, but finding the lazy keeper asleep and no cannon and powder to be had, they occupied their time in marching about the town. The review in the Park was very much interfered with by the want of sufficient room for a military display, and ale by the exceedingly bad arrangement of having the spectators crowded close in upon the military lines. The day being exceedingly fine, there was an unusual attendance of beautiful ladies, in fact the streets were alive with pedestrians of both sexes, all in holyday attire. It was understood that the Governor and his military staff would be present at the review, but by some accident, “the commander-in-chief” was overlooked in the programme, and consequently did not make his appearance. The military passed in review as follows:
FIRST BRIGADE.
Washington Gray Troop.
1st Regiment—German Hussars, Col. Postly. This regiment turned out very strong and was much admired.
2d Regiment, Col. Bogart, preceded by Robertson’s Band. The German Rifles attached to this regiment were very numerous.
71st Regiment, Col. Vosburgh, preceded by Wallace’s Band
Hussar troop.
3d Regiment.
SECOND BRIGADE.
4th Regiment, Col. Hincken, composed of three companies of cavalry and five of light artillery, preceded by a band.
5th Regiment, Col. Schwartzwaelder, eight companies—one grenadier, fire Infantry, and two of rifles.
6th Regiment, Col. Pinckney, preceded by the Washington Band—six infantry and two rifle companies.
76th Regiment, Col. Doheny, accompanied by Kohn’s Band.
THIRD BRIGADE.
7th Regiment, National Guard, Col. Duryen, preceded by their band. This regiment surpassed itself, and their splendid marching excited vehement applause as they marched past.
8th Regiment, Col. Lyon, with Shelton’s Band. This corps was formerly known as the Washington Grays, the eldest in the city, and one of the best.
9th Regiment, Col. Ditkin, preceded by Manahan’s Band. A good looking regiment, but might have marched better.
10th Regiment, Colonel Halsey, with Shelton’s Band.
FOURTH BRIGADE.
11th Regiment, Colonel A Van Buren, composed of five companies of infantry, two of rifles, and one other. A fine and well drilled regiment.
12th Regiment, Colonel Richard French. Notwithstanding the defection of the Light Guard and State Guard from this fine regiment, it gives evidence of excellent drill, and has evidently improved under its new Colonel.
69th Regiment, Colonel Ryan, Manahan’s Band, followed by a fine troop of horse.
With this striking military parade closed the more pretending ceremonies of Evacuation Day. In the evening Colonel Mr. M. Van Buren gave a princely entertainment at his residence in fourteenth street, to the Major General commanding, his staff, and the officers of the fourth division of the State Militia. The most interesting event however was the visit of the veterans to Brady’s gallery. The corps to the number of one hundred and thirty-six, were taken in small full-length figures, by Mr. Brady’s new and beautiful improvement, the Ambrotype, which alone could have accomplished the desired object. Independent of the intrinsic merit of the pictures, in the course of a few years, they will possess a value that cannot now be appreciated, for only a short time can elapse, ere the veterans’ salute in honor of Evacuation Day will be silenced, and these heroes of a memorable war will be gathered home to their fathers; then these groups, so wonderfully portrayed by the Daguerrian art—will rise in national importance, and become prominent among the most interesting memoirs, preserved of the early times of this great city.
Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, New York, NY, December 15, 1855
