Gazette Of The United States

Monday morning the Light Horse, and the other Independent companies in this city, paraded in the Broad Way, under the immediate command of Col. BAUMAN—from whence they proceeded to the Race Ground, where they went thro a number of manoeuvres in a manner that would do credit to regular troops; after which they exhibited a sham fight, that afforded the highest entertainment to The President, His Excellency the Governor, and a large concourse of respectable characters.

We cannot but with regret mention one unhappy circumstance which occurred, Adjutant John Louden, a most amiable and worthy character, in the prime of life, received a wound (as we are informed with a buck shot, through the carelessness of one of the men in loading his piece) of which he expired on the field.—By this sorrowful accident, has his family been deprived of a dutiful son, an affectionate brother, and society of a worthy member.

Yesterday the funeral solemnities of Mr. John Loudon were attended with every mark of public grief, which the truly affecting circumstances of his death were calculated to inspire. The Procession was preceded by two Companies of Light-Infantry, with arms reversed, and the Holland Lodge of Free Masons, of which he was a brother: On the pall were laid masonic and military Insignia: The distressed family; the reverend Clergy, and a numerous train of mourning friends followed: The military Band played a solemn Dirge, which according with the solemn sensations of a vast crowd of citizens assembled on the occasion, added greatly to the seriously impressive scene.

When a person dies in defence of a just cause, in the defence of his country or the protection of the rights of mankind, we may apply the expression used by the author of Cato,

How beautiful is death when earn'd by virtue;

But when a person so truly and justly esteemed falls a sacrifice in a trifling way and on an unnecessary occasion, how ghastly! how shocking! how terrible is death!