Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 2.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Review at Washington, July 4.--The review of the New York Volunteers, twenty-three thousand in number, was a grand and imposing sight. The brave fellows looked well, marched well, and to the eye of the most critical, as well as of the superficial observer, gave evidence of such soldierly qualities as well substantiates their claim to be considered as of the best fighting material in the world. They have, too, some palpable marks of having had a rough time of it lately; despite the donning of their best apparel, the furbishing of arms, and the general scouring process undergone for the occasion, many a little tell-tale in the shape of well-used raiment, tarnished trimmings, and battered accoutrements, slyly gave out certain hints of hardship and exposure, and revealed to the uninitiated a goodly portion of the “elephant” that stalks about military camps. But their elastic steps, and cheerful, sun-burned faces bespoke good health, and gave token that they were, like Mark Tapley, making the best of circumstances.

The most thorough observers of the day were those citizen soldiers who had been so fortunate as to obtain leave of absence. These congregated in hilarious groups, or strolled arm in arm merrily along the thoroughfares. Yet it is a pleasant duty to affirm that cases of even partial intoxication were strangely rare, considering that so many were, upon a festive occasion, set free from the restraints and discipline of camp. My best wishes for these brave fellows are, I am aware, not in accordance with their own desires; for I heartily wish that they may return safely to their own firesides, without a stain of blood upon their bayonets, although they might miss, in consequence, those laurels they desire, and which, if opportunity presents, they will win.

At 8 o'clock A. M. the New York troops formed on Pennsylvania avenue. Col. Schwartzwaelder, with his regiment, (the Fifth,) was first in position. In thirty minutes the whole column was in marching order. The Twelfth Regiment in front was detailed to take possession of the avenue, immediately in front of the White House, for the space of some three hundred and fifty feet. A stage of convenient height had been erected, which was literally bathed in banners. Every available unreserved space was densely packed with people. At about 9 o'clock President Lincoln, the members of the Cabinet, accompanied by General Scott and his staff, took their places upon the stand amid the tumultuous cheers of people and soldiery, and the roll of a multitude of drums, followed by the martial strains of a brass band, playing “Hail to the Chief.” The band, accompanied by Gen. Sandford and his staff and a corps of sappers and miners, halted in front of the stand.

Col. Blenker with his regiment led the column. Next came the Twelfth, Col. Walrath; then the Fourteenth, Col. McQuade, preceded by a drum corps. The beautiful ensign of Col. McQuade's regiment attracted many a compliment, as did the beautiful flags of the several regiments. Next to the Fourteenth came in order the Fifteenth, Col. Murphy; [85] the Sixteenth, Col. Davis; the Seventeenth, Col. Lan-sing; the Eighteenth, Col. Jackson, marching thirty-five men abreast, and exhibiting great superiority in drill; the Nineteenth, Col. Clark, with his large corps of drummers; the Twenty-second, Col. Phelps, with its fine silver cornet band and beautiful flag; the Twenty-sixth, Col. Christian; Twenty-eighth, Col. Donelly; Twenty-ninth, Col. Von Steinwerh, with fine brass band; Thirtieth, Col. Frisbie, and drum corps; Thirty-first, Col. Pratt, with 900 men, marching fifteen abreast; Thirty-second, Col. Matheson; Thirty-seventh, Col. McCunn; and Thirty-eighth, Col. Ward, beautiful blue ensign, staff on foot.

Soon after the Garibaldi Legion followed, preceded by the clear notes of the bugle, heard high above the din and confusion, heralding Colonel D'Utassy, with one thousand and fifty men, led by a large corps of sappers and miners, with their tools shouldered. As the legion passed the President, each threw a sprig of evergreen upon the ground, covering it with the fresh green of a summer forest — a tribute which was hailed by the multitude with cheer upon cheer. Then came Col. Schwartzwaelder's regiment — the Fifth--in nankeen pants and havelocks, marching in perfect time and order; then the Twelfth, Col. Butterfield, numbering 1,100 men, wearing the Zouave dress, and exhibiting superiority in drill and general appearance so marked as to elicit rounds of applause; then the Seventy-ninth, Col. Cameron, its full brass band playing the Highland March, and succeeded by the Seventy-first, commanded by Col. Martin, with Dodworth's band, an advance of picked rifle shallots, and numbering a round one thousand men.--N. Y. Daily News, July 6.