You are respectfully invited to attend the Inauguration Ball on the evening of March 4th 1873

Managers

After the review was over we returned to the Ebbitt House, nearly frozen, but we “thawed out” in time to attend the inaugural ball in the evening, and here we had to dance or freeze, as it was bitter cold there. The decorations were beautiful. There were mottos and coats of arms of the United States, and of all the States and Territories in the Union, shining among the festoons of the many flags of red, white and blue; then there were flags and coats of arms of many foreign nations. Everybody at this grand ball had to present a ticket of admission, except the cadets and midshipmen, whose uniforms admitted them.

Upon our return we were met at the Battery in New York by the famous Seventh (New York) Regiment and escorted to its armory for refreshments. The march up Broadway was amid a continuous line of spectators, who applauded us all the way. We saw the regiment as it passed us to take post as our escort, and we were charmed with their faultless alignments and movements, and were friends at once. The reception was highly appreciated as a distinguishing feature of our trip. We reached West Point at 5 p. m. on the 6th of March, and as we marched to the barracks the band played “When Johnnie Comes Marching Home Again.” The regular routine was at once resumed.

In speaking of our drill in Washington one paper said: “The drill of the West Point Cadets on Pennsylvania avenue was certainly splendid. The whole battalion went through their various and intricate maneuvers with such precision that they even surprised some of the military officers who, in company with the Secretary of War, reviewed them. The sight was grand, almost beyond description. Thousands of persons viewed their drills from the streets and indoors, and all were of the opinion expressed above. If there are any better drilled organizations let them come along.”