CENTRAL CITY, Aug. 12th, 1861.
Editors of Republican and Herald:--
    Items of interest to your readers are "like angels' visits," there being little, if any thing, either to interest or excite the public mind, or "to disturb our equilibrium." Here, in Central City, the focal point of the mountain settlements,--the Star, formed by the various gulches, or valleys, concentrating here,--we are sure to get all the news, true or false, whether relative to the mountains or to the plains, or in connexion with the "last experiment of Dr. Birdsall," resulting in his getting five pounds of gold out of four pounds of quartz, (which experiment, of course, was made in Denver; there, they say, the big results have always been obtained by him in the mountains.) Then this "disunionist" (who disturbs the Union between the gold and quartz,) fails to create a furor. We then get a secession canard--either that Col. Siegel, and his army of ten thousand men, have all been devoured by the Mississippi wild cats and Ben Culloch's rangers, at a single meal, and that they were about to commence on Jim. Lane's men as a desert; [sic] or that Washington city had been taken, and Gen. Scott had been killed by Gen. Beauregard--(perfectly reliable, as he, Scott, stated the fact to a friend of B. D. Williams,)--and that President Lincoln was caged, and being exhibited in a menagerie at Charleston. If all other sources fail, a party of "seseshers" will take the chances of getting up a fight with one of the U. States recruits, by making the most insulting remarks about the character of the man who would thus serve his country. If the soldier gets into a quarrel with the spokesman, and gets the best of the fight, then comes in the accomplices, and Mr. soldier comes out well pummeled. This is said to have happened so frequently that the probabilities are, if not soon stopped, a general "cleaning out" will soon be the result.
    Alluding to the soldiers reminds us of the COMPLIMENTARY FESTIVAL given them by the ladies of Eureka, on Saturday last. At 3 o'clock P. M., Company B, of Colorado Volunteers, marched to the large mill building in Eureka, which had been tastefully decorated and arranged for the festivities, where they were received on behalf of the ladies by Mr. Doe, who made an eloquent speech. Capt. Tappan responded in behalf of his company, in an eloquent speech, which was frequently interrupted by the applause of the spectators. After the reading of two addresses by ladies, accompanied with the presentation of a Bible, the guests sat down to an excellent collation. After attending to the inner man, came the "feast of reason, and flow of soul." There was no lagging,--no want of enthusiasm, and three hours were consumed by speechmaking and toasting. We would gladly give the names and sentiments of the numerous speakers, but time will not permit. Suffice it to say, that Lieut. Wynkoop was present and responded to a sentiment to "Co. A.," of Denver; and the inimitable Wolf caused roars of laughter by his facetious remarks. He expressed his opinion of the duties of officers, and privates; branched off on the subject of political economy; the working classes versus the rich; the political convulsions of the day, which he compared with the grand convulsions and upheavals here in the mountains, resulting in purifying and separating the elements. From sublime theorizing he came down to the practical duties of life, and announced that his vegetable wagon was awaiting him on the street. A moment after he was seen selling pumpkins and green beans to the bystanders. Leaving the festival, Co. B marched through Eureka and Central City to Camp Gilpin, where they now await the order of the Governor. Following is a letter of invitation to Co. B, with their reply.                                                                     Q. Y.
CAPTAIN TAPPAN,
                Sir:--being desirous of showing our sympathies in the great struggle for our national existence, and as a work of our respect for the patriotism evinced by yourself and command in volunteering to defend the stars and stripes, we invite you and fellow soldiers to meet us at Clark & Stanton's mill, on Saturday afternoon next at 3 o'clock, for the purpose of partaking of some refreshment and pronouncing upon you a parting blessing before your departure for the field of duty. If it will suit your convenience to meet us at the time and place designated, please let us know at as early an hour as possible. In behalf of the ladies of this vicinity.
                                                                                  MRS. STANTON,
                                                                                  MAXWELL BROWN,
                                                                                  LESLIE WRIGHT, and
                                                                                  MISS CREE.
                                                                                               Committee.
    Eureka Gulch, August 7th, 1861.
                                                        CAMP GILPIN, QUARTZ VALLEY,}
                                                                                       August 8th, 1861. }
To MRS. STANTON, and others, Committee,
             Ladies: Your note of the 7th inst. is at hand. The generous, patriotic and complimentary sentiments therein expressed are fully appreciated by us, and we will do ourselves the honor of accepting the kind invitation to partake of your hospitalities at the time designated. We assure you that your kind sympathies and generosity will ever inspire us, and be an incentive in the hour of battle to do all that mortals can do, to preserve our national existence and to protect our firesides and altars. Trusting that we may ever prove ourselves worthy of your kind considerations,                                            We remain,
                                                                           Yours respectfully,
                                                                Company B, Colorado Volunteers,
                                                                     SAM F. TAPPAN, Captain.

Source:

Unknown, "Local Department," The Daily Colorado Republican and Rocky Mountain Herald, Denver, Colorado, Wednesday, 14 August, 1861, page 3.