Public Ledger

OUR CHICKASAWS Having Crossed the Frontier Find the Enemy Intrenched in a Strong Position, With Fixed Bayonets and the Intention of Winning Anyhow.

The heavy rains of last night and this morning, if extending east as far as Huntsville, may prevent the competitive drill from coming off to-day. Besides this, another question has arisen which may cause delay if not some feeling. The Porter Rifles insist on going through every movement and maneuver known to the company drill, including the skirmish drill and bayonet exercise These do not properly belong to the ordinary company drill but are rather the fancy touches for amusement instead of use or utility. We can readily understand this demand of the Rifles They have made a specialty of the skirmish drill and bayonet exercise, knowing that the Chickasaws had never practiced either. This may come within the limits of a fair and square contest, and within the meaning of the challenge and its acceptance, but there are some who may not understand it so. As well as we recollect no such demand was made or thought of at former contests in Nashville and Memphis. If the Chickasaws had quietly practiced the zouave drill until perfect in it and then required the Rifles to meet them on this ground and incorporate it in the general contest, the proposition would be just as fair as the other. We hope the Chickasaws will submit to no conditions not previously understood and fully implied or suggested by former drill contests and the correspondence that has passed.

Here is the Appeal special on the subject:

HUNTSVILLE, June 14—There is trouble in the camp, and the way matters look to-night there will be no contest. The Rifles insist on the entire school of the company, from A to Z The Chickasaw Guards are resolute in their determination to reject both the bayonet exercise and the skirmish drill which will be insisted on by the Rifles. but the Chickasaws are firm in the determination to return home without a contest unless this point is waived, contending that it is no part of the company or squad drill. There will be a severe contest over these points. Arnold's band is creating a sensation on the streets to-night. Ernest Cleaves, Chris Steinkuhl, Sim Barinds, D. A. Brower, C. A. Loop Robert G. Pillow and a number of others left on the train last night for Huntsville.

Another special states that rain fell all the way as the train went up, but ceased at Huntsville; that the Porter Rifles and Burns Artillery, from Nashville, accompanied by about 400 friends, arrived there first. The correspondence of the Ledger's commissioner on the ground gives an interesting and graphic description of the trip to Huntsville, the personnel of the party, their reception, the outlook etc. Through the promptness of the Ledger's representative, and the courtesy of the Express Company in delivering the package at noon to-day, we are enabled to present our readers with the editorial letter, which we feel sure will be acceptable

HUNTSVILLE The Chivalry and Beauty of Three Cities Assembled. A Gala Day and a Gale of Rain. THE PORTER RIFLES MANEUVERING FOR AN ADVANTAGE. The Chickasaws Put on the War Paint and will not be Bulldozed. A Dead Lock on the Bayonet Question.

HUNTSVILLE, ALA., June 14, 1877.

Your correspondent left Memphis at one o'clock on Wednesday night for Huntsville, via the Memphis and Charleston railroad, with quite a party of early excursionists who wished to take time by the forelock and be in advance of the competitive drill, which takes place on to-morrow (Friday) at the Fair Grounds. The early birds had another object in view—to secure good board and lodging, both of which, owing to the telegrams sent to this point, and the big crowd expected, were scarce. There was plenty of good board and lodging, but not sufficient for the multitude.

Our train, the lightning express, conductor Newman, worked its way through at a rapid rate of speed, except for about five miles in Wolf river bottom, near Moscow, where the train had to move along slowly, at a snail pace, in order to observe the necessary rules of precaution looking to the safety of the passengers. Among the passengers were Dr. John Erskine, A. C. Craycroft, of R. G. Dun & Co's mercantile agency; Captain Jack Hayes and Mr. Clarence Hunt. The latter, however, was bound East, and left us at Grand Junction. General Wheeler, the noted Confederate cavalry leader joined us on the train, and came on to Huntsville.

FIRE AT DECATUR.

When we reached Decatur a big fire or conflagration had been suppressed. The fire broke out early in the morning of Wednesday, the thirteenth instant and consumed a number of houses. The fire originated in a saloon kept by R. M. Hodges, which was destroyed, as was also the saloon of Wm. Potts, in the same building, and the telegraph office in the second story. Among the business houses destroyed were, John B. Stewart & Co, dry goods; Chas. T. Jones, dry goods; grocery store of Mr. Watts; meat store of Mr. Miller; a millinery establishment dry goods and grocery house of Daniel Downs; dry goods and grocery house of T. J. Owens; E. Lyons, merchant tailor and millinery; law office of S. P. Rather; residence and office of Dr. Peter Buford The damage done by the fire is estimated at thirty thousand dollars, upon which there was some fifteen thousand dollars insurance. but it was impossible to learn in what companies the buildings and stocks were insured. The fire is regarded here as a blessing; the buildings were old frame concerns, of but little value, and it is believed that now good substantial buildings will be put up. The fire swept out three squares, the business portion of the town.

While our train was standing on the track, and the passengers eating breakfast at the hotel, it was run into by the down passenger train which came around the curve leading from the bridge over the Tennessee river. The air brake saved both trains, and no damage resulted save the smashing of both pilots or cow catchers.

On arriving at Huntsville we found the city alive and interested in the expectant drill. The question was, How will we accommodate the crowd? The hotels were filled, the rooms having been engaged in advance by telegram, but many of the citizens threw their houses open and agreed to receive guests. This relieved the pressure considerably. The Huntsville Hotel, Colonel A. A. Moore proprietor, was filled to overflowing. It was the headquarters of the Chickasaw Guards and the Porter Rifles, such arrangements having been made by Commissary W. G. M. Campbell of the Porter Rifles, and E. C. Buchanan of the Chickasaw Guards. Lieutenant James Richardson, J. F. Peters and G. Mayhoff, of the 'Chicks,' were in town in advance making all necessary arrangements for the reception and entertainment of the company.

The rains fell continuously from six o'clock on Thursday morning till late in the afternoon, very much to the chagrin and disgust of both Memphians who were present in Huntsville and the Huntsvillians.

HUNTSVILLE.

This little city has some six or eight thousand inhabitants. It is built up like a city and puts on metropolitan airs. It boasts of a splendid court-house, an opera house capable of holding one thousand guests, a number of fine churches built of brick and stone and excelling any churches in Memphis in point of architecture except probably the Presbyterian church and the Catholic cathedral. The city is lighted with gas, has water works, a fire and hook and ladder company, etc. The water works is a natural curiosity. The big spring from which flows quite a large creek forms the basis of the water works. The spring, which flows from underneath a mass of cliffs, has been walled in and forms a basin some sixty feet wide and ten feet deep. Water works have been erected near by and the power is produced by a turbine wheel, which runs an engine of forty-horse power. The water is forced up through the city in mains and connections are made in every house. Some twenty or more hydrants and fire-plugs are distributed throughout the city. The water can be forced through one thousand feet of hose and pitched to a height of sixty feet from all the fire plugs. As a matter of precaution a big reservoir has been constructed on a neighboring hill, which cistern is sixty feet in diameter and fifteen feet deep. Pipes from this reservoir run down to the city, and in case the water works proper are out of order, the water from the reservoir can be used for fire purposes, the water, owing to the pressure, being thrown to a height of some fifty feet. In addition a third-class steam fire engine and a negro hook and ladder company are a part of the fire department.

The city is well built, and before the war was noted as a seat of fashion, wealth and learning, and even yet several fine educational institutions are in a flourishing condition. The city has many fine business houses and elegant residences. Three newspapers are published here. The Advocate is published and edited by Colonel A. R. Wiggs; the Independent by Messrs. W. P. Newman and Frank Coleman, the latter gentleman being formerly connected with the Republican-Banner of Nashville. The Democrat is published and edited by Colonel J. W. Clay. They are all sterling Democratic journals, but we believe differ somewhat on the Hayes Southern policy and some other issues. The people of Huntsville are proud of their city, which nestles in a beautiful valley and is surrounded by hill sides which give a charming appearance to the scene. In every direction radiate macadamized roads, and on all sides fine cultivated farms appear. No more fruitful country exists on the face of the globe, and yet many there are who are not contented and happy and who desire to go West and grow up with the country.

THE SOLDIERS ARRIVE.

At 7 o'clock this evening the Nashville train arrived—five car loads of visitors including a host or galaxy of ladies who wished to see the Porter Rifles win a victory over the Chicks, and also to attend the ball, which comes off to-morrow night. The rain came down and the streets were dark, yet the Porter Rifles escoried by twenty members of the Burns Light Artillery and headed by a brass band, formed in line and marched through the city. On arriving at the Huntsville Hotel the citizens cheered the Rifles and the latter responded. In half an hour afterward, the Memphis train arrived, crowded with visitors. The Chicks and the Bluff City Grays, headed by Arnold's brass band, marched up likewise to the hotel, and were received most cordially. At Athens, Alabama, Colonel John R. Farmer, in the name of the ladies of that town, presented the Porter Rifles with a beautiful wreath, which had the significant inscription, 'On to Victory.' Captain Donelson responded in a happy manner.

THE DRILL,

The judges of the drill are as follows: The Porter Rifles selected Major George B. Russell, of General Auger's staff; the 'Chicks' selected Captain Pratt, of the Thirteenth regulars, stationed at Little Rock, Arkansas: and these two gentlemen to-day selected the third judge, Captain Hobart, of the Thirteenth regulars, two companies of which regiment are stationed in this city at present. The drill will come off to-morrow (Friday) afternoon, at the Fair Grounds, a charming location, situated about half a mile south of the city. The prize, when awarded, will be presented to the victors by Mrs. C. C. Clay. An elegant stand decorated with evergreens and festooned with national flags, has been fitted up for the occasion.

As to which company will carry off the honors, it is almost impossible to say. Should the Chicks be defeated, the Memphis belles who are here would go into mourning; and should the Porter Rifles be defeated, the Nashville belles who are also here would wear the cypress and sorrow forever. The Huntsville ladies are divided on the issue, but the majority of them favor the Chickasaw Guards The public are likewise divided as to the matter.

It is impossible to give a list of the Memphians and Nashvillians who arrived this evening. They are scattered all over town, the citizens having taken charge of scores of them, and furnishing them with board and lodging. This was absolutely necessary, owing to the lack of a sufficient amount of hotel accommodation, Mr. Plummer, of the Nashville Banner, and Mr. Davies, of the American, are here to act as historians of the Porter Rifles and their victory, but it is more than likely that your own correspondent will have the pleasure of recounting the victory of the Chickasaw Guards. The 'Chicks' are all right, and are determined to win if perfect drilling can accomplish such a result.

To-morrow an immense crowd will be in the city should the weather turn out to be clear and pleasant, but should it rain, as it did all day to-day, the citizens say the military and other visitors can attend the grand ball at night and on Saturday the drill must come off The people of Huntsville seem determined to have the drill at all hazards, and will not permit the soldiers to go home until that drill has been engaged in and decided.

I will write another communication on to-morrow, and hope to be able to announce to the people of Memphis that the 'Chicks came, saw and conquered.' F.R. B.

Special to the Ledger. HUNTSVILLE, June 15. -The Porter Rifles insist on the bayonet drill, which is not in the tactics and was not drilled in previous contests. The Chicks refuse unless the bayonet drill is ruled out. The Chicks are confident. There is no hope of a settlement at present. The captains of the respective companies will have to settle the terms; the judges will have nothing to do with it. The people are anxious to see the drill, Leading Nashville people insist on it that there shall be no drill without the bayonet exercise; the Memphis men say no drill with it. Fears are entertained that no drill will come off with the obstinate Chicks, who hold the championship, unless wrestled from them in this drill. Memphis men and ladies wear the Chickasaw colors on the streets and around the hotels. A settlement may be reached this afternoon. If the drill comes off without the bayonet exercise the Chickasaw Guards will win the coveted prize. F.R. B.

LATEST-DRILL OFF. Special to the Ledger. HUNTSVILLE, June 15, 2 p.m.-The drill is considered off. The Porter Rifles will not enter the contest unless the bayonet exercise is admitted. The Chickasaw Guards positively refuse, as this was not included in former contests or named in the challenge, The judges decide this is not part of the regular company drill and rarely used in the regular army. F. R. B.