Upon hearing the news of General George McClellan’s appointment to chief commander of the Union Army, Washingtonians embarked upon a grand torch-light procession down Seventh Street. The “compliment” proceeded from the soldiers of Blenker’s Brigade, but numbered about 2000 infantry, two companies of cavalry, and a large number of citizens. Songs and fireworks filled the air as the crowd marched all the way to the Presidential Mansion.
Torch-Light Procession of General Blenker’s Division in Honor of of the New Commander-in-Chief
Image Credit: Harper’s Weekly, November 30, 1861.
