The torchlight Precession and illumination last night.
In pursuance of a notice published in this paper, that a torchlight procession and illumination, in honor of the recent glorious victory obtained by the "rebels" at
Charleston over the
Federal forces, and of the secession of
Virginia from the
Union, an immense concourse of citizens, numbering not less than ten thousand men, assembled at the designated rendezvous, in front of the City Hall' at 8½ o'clock. The news received in the afternoon, from
Baltimore, added greatly to the already jubilant feeling of the public mind, and the wildest enthusiasm prevailed.
The weather was highly propitious for the occasion, the sky being without a cloud.
The crowd was formed into line by
Chief Marshal Gen. T. P. August, with the aid of a number of assistant Marshals, and, with torches in hand, and headed by
Smith's splendid Band, commenced their march, proceeding, amid the most deafening cheers, up 11th street to
Clay, up
Clay to 10th, down 10th to Broad, up Broad to
Foushee, down
Foushee to
Franklin, down
Franklin to 5th, down 5th to Main, down Main to 19th, up 19th to Broad, along Broad to 25th, down 25th to
Franklin, and up
Franklin to the
Governor's Mansion.
The Armory Band, with its accomplished leader, Lœbman, was in the centre of the procession.
Along the whole line of march the houses were brilliantly illuminated, and the sidewalks were crowded with admiring and sympathizing spectators, among whom were many ladies, who expressed their approbation by waving their handkerchiefs.
The immense moving mass, with their blazing torches — the brilliant and beautifully-arranged lights gleaming from the window panes of almost every house — the incessant play of Roman candles, sky-rockets, and numerous other styles of pyrotechnics, shooting far up into the vault of Heaven and bursting into a thousand beautiful scintillations, presented a spectacle the splendor of which has never been equalled in this city.
As far as the eye could reach the moving mass of fire surged along and lighted up with its lurid glare every object with almost the brightness of day. In various localities bonfires had been lighted, and the dun cloud of the burning tar rolled up and away like some spirit of darkness taking its flight from the wrath of an offended Deity.
There were several hundred transparencies, with every variety of motto, all of them having reference to the occasion, and to the struggle in which the
Southern States are engaged.
Some of them were highly amusing, prominent among which was one representing the hegira of
Lincoln to
Washington, and, upon the opposite side, his supposed speedy exit from that city.
There were also numerous flags of the Southern Confederacy, above some of which were blazing torches.
The procession, after going over the prescribed route, passed the
Exchange Hotel on its return, headed by the Marshals on horseback, and, after reaching Main street, was dismissed, the people quietly returning to their several homes.
Nothing that ever transpired here has served to infuse so much enthusiasm in the people of all classes, conditions and colors.
No accident occurred worthy of notices.
The ladies heartily seconded the efforts of their husbands, brothers and sons, in giving eclat to the occasion, and they will heartily second the efforts to humble Old Abe and his mercenary hirelings in their mad crusade on the rights of the
South.
