Seventh Regiment Reception

     “Proposed Reception and Festival in Honor of the Veterans of the Seventh Regiment—An Interesting Event.  The Seventh Regiment ‘National Guard’ propose to give a reception at the Academy of Music on the 31^st of January, 1866, to and in honor of those of their members and ex-members who have served in the regular or volunteer army and navy during the recent war for the suppression of the rebellion.  During the four years of internecine war, between six and seven hundred of the members of the ever gallant Seventh left the paths of peace to enter the United States service.  They sustained in the field the high reputation the regiment has achieved in the barrackroom, and the list embraces Major-Generals, Brigadiers and Colonels, while a host of line and field officers attest the distinguished service performed by the representatives of the Seventh Regiment.  A few, with greater honor to themselves, marched and fought all through the war with the musket they had learned to use so well at home in the quiet days of peace. . . .

     . . .This reception to their living comrades the regiment promises to make worthy of the occasion, both the Academy and Irving Hall being engaged for the purpose.  An ‘address of welcome’ will be delivered by some distinguished citizen, and a poem will be read, after which dancing and music will be the order of the evening.”

     “The record of this magnificent military organization, its devotion to the cause, its sacrifices, its living heroes, and the illustrious dead—like Winthrop and Shaw—endear it to the heart of every friend of the Union, and its members will receive the hero’s welcome…The music will be under the direction of Prof. Grafulla of the 7th Regiment Band, and will comprise 200 pieces, to be divided into three bands, one for promenades, one for dancing, and the third for supper.  The supper will be the best that has been given in the United States on any such occasion.  No expense will be spared, and all will be well accommodated.”

     “The musicians will be under the baton of Prof. Grafulla, of the Seventh regiment band, and will comprise two hundred performers, forming three bands, which will furnish promenade and dancing music and discourse sweet melodies in the supper room.”

“To welcome the returned members of the Seventh, some six hundred in all, has long been a fervent desire on the part of the present organization, and arrangements are now perfected whereby on the night of the 31^st of January, a reception as grand as it is deserved will be tendered them at the Academy of Music and Irving Hall.  The two buildings will be connected by a covered archway, the former to be used as the reception and dancing hall, and the latter for the grand supper.”

PARAPHRASE: Gen. John A. Dix will deliver the address of welcome.  Invited guests include army and navy officers, the President and the Cabinet, New York state senators, and New York representatives in the House.  Gen. Grant, Gen. Hooker, Gen. Burnside, and Gov. Fenton and his staff have accepted invitations.  Local artists have been working on the decorations for four weeks.  Prof. Graffula will conduct the Seventh Regiment Band, which will be augmented by two other bands for the occasion.  They will play operatic and military selections for dancers.  Caterers have been engaged to ensure that the food is plentiful and good.  The tickets, order of dancing, list of officers, and other printings have been done well.  The price for tickets is $15 for a gentleman and a lady, and $5 for extra ladies’ tickets.  The number of tickets available is limited.  They may be purchased from members of the regiment or from members of the finance committee.

     Seventh Regiment vets to send contact info in anticipation of the affair. 

     “Musical Director—Band Master C. S. Grafulla.”

     Includes program.  Very long article; almost nothing about the music.

     “[T]his Reception of the Seventh is the supernal moment of the fashionable season.”

     Very long review. Program included. “The great social event of the season is passed. . . .

     The archway connecting the two buildings was a miracle of light and beauty  The ceiling and walls were hung with white and gold, decorated with bunting and national colors, while at regular intervals were cages with singing canaries whose little throats seemed flush with song and melody. . . .

     . . . The music given by Gafulla’s Band was unheeded by the many, but appreciated by the few.  The programme included the overture to ‘William Tell’ and selections from ‘Crispino.’ . . .

     Immediately [after General Dix’s address] the band struck a note of warning and the hundreds of eager couples rushed for a position on the floor. . . .

     Concerning the music, we have only time to say it was by Grafulla; and of the dancing it was gay and festive to a degree. . . .

     At least 5,000 people were present.”

     “The dancing was of course enjoyed to the utmost by all who were present.  Twenty dances were gone through with, consisting of four quadrilles, four waltzes, six gallops, three lanciers, two polkas, and ‘Auld Lang Syne.’”

     Program included. Very long review; difficult to read.

     “The reception by the Seventh regiment [sic], National Guard, of its members who have served in the regular and volunteer army and navy of the United States during the great rebellion took place last night at the Academy of Music and Irving Hall, the two buildings forming for [illeg.] one immense edifice, devoted to the worshippers of Terpsichore and a host of heathen deities.  Balls, hops and soirees of the past sink into utter insignificance when compared with the festive gathering remarkable for beauty and fashion assembled within a palace. . . .

     . . . [The crowd] returned within the precincts of the Academy shortly after nine o’clock, to the strains of the overture to ‘William Tell’ and selections from Ricci’s ‘Crispino.’ . . .

     . . . [T]he music [was] to be discoursed by the two bands in attendance. . . . After the grandiose measures of a march had been pealed forth, hundreds of people took up their respective [illeg.]. . .

     . . . The thousands of participants in the festivities waltzed and quadrille through the night.”