Friday, July 1, 2016

Celebrating The Fourth of July in Knoxville


The Fourth of July!
The only preparation made to celebrate the 4th of July in this vicinity, is the picnic of the
railroad employees and games and amusements at the Fair Grounds by the Irish Benevolent Society.

The train leaves East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad Depot at 7 o'clock promptly
for the railroad picnic to take place on the 4th of July at Maryville. (1871)

From 1872



1874:

OUR ANNIVERSARY 

The day promises to be more generally celebrated than any Anniversary day since 1861.
Every effort has been made to have it pass off to the satisfaction of all concerned. The 4th of July belongs to American citizens,without reference to party or creed, and we hope to see today an old fashioned celebration in which all will participate. There will probably be a large number of people here to welcome Gen Burnside, of whom so far as East Tenn is concerned, it can safely be said he is " first in the hearts of his countrymen."
No name is more generally respected or will provoke more universal than that of Gen. Burnside. Friend as well as foe respected him for s integrity and kindness of heart, and no cornmander ever won from his troops a more theerful or willing service. He stunds as a commander without
dishonor, who exercised his authority humanely,with due regard to the rights of all who were under his command, whether soldier or citizen. To such a man, we can bid welcome to East Tennessee and extend the homage due to a brave sodier and an honest citizen. (Source: Knoxville weekly chronicle. (Knoxville, Tenn.), 08 July 1874. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Link)


General Santa Anna's Fourth of July "visit" and more stories from Jack Neely. Link