The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-12-30
The Birthday. of X. T.. lee.

AN GRAFTON TO BE DELIVERED BY COLONEL
HUGH s. THOMPSON BEFORE TIE CAROLINA
RIFLE BATTALION.
ICharlestOn Is. ca News and C0urier.J
An extra meeting OF the Carolina Rifle
Battalion was held at their armOry last eve-
ming TO decide on place for celebrating the
approaching anniversary OF the corps and
the birthday Of General X. f. Lee, January
10, 1881. The committee charged with the
arrangements reported. 1t was decided that
the Grafton be delivered at Military Hall in
the evening. All the various military or
ganizations of the city will be invited TO
attend In uniform without arms. AS ladies
will form large part OF The audience and
" i'll be dependent upon the soldiers TO GER
tain extent for escorts, the assembly OF the
various corps will be in the building on the
lower floor. Thus all will be allowed the
opportunity 10 carry ladies, leaving them In
the upper hail, and then be on hand to fall
in with their respective commands. The
companies and regiments on assembling
will escort the Caroinas into the hall, the
military being seated in body before the
orator. The officers and distinguished
guests will occupy seats on the stage. After
the Grafton the Carolinas will entertain the
field, staff, and company officers at wine
party. The following correspondence Will
explain itself:
HEAp'oRs CAROLINA RIFLE BATTALION,
CHARLESTON, December II, 1880. }
Moor Hugh $. Thompson, Columbia, ). q. /:
Nv Dear Sir,-At a recent meeting OF the
Carolina Rife Battalion il was determined
TO depart from their usual private obsery'
ance OF the birthday OF General Robert r..
Lee. and 10 invite our citizens IN general TO
unite with them in the celebration OF the
19tb January, 1881. L have the honor to in
form you that you were unanimously
chosen orator Of the occasion.
1t is with much pleasure that | convey to
YOU the request Of the battalion TO address
them, for added to my personal esteem Tor
Yourself Is the conviction that the battalion
has been wise in their choice. l know no
one who can more ably set before our peo-
phe the life and character of the great man
whose virtues we desire to commemorate;
and I feel sure that you will agree with us
in the feeling that our love and admiration
for General Lee and desire to be guided
by the example OF his life are far from be.
ing inconsistent with our present duties
and obligations as good citizens.
Yours very respectfully,
&. IRVINE WALKER,
COLUMBIA, 5. c., December 20, 1880.
Mojor G. Irvine Walker, Commanding
| Carolina Rife Bdttation:
Dear Sir,-i have the honor to acknow.
ledge the receipt OF your communication OF
the 17tb instant informing me that the Caro-
lima Rife Battalion has determined upon
public observance OF the birthday OF Robert
X. Lee, and that have been chosen 10 de-
liver the address on that occasion.
lam deeply sensible OF the honor that has
been done me, and however unequal may
be 10 the execution even OF my own con-
ception of the task assigned, feel well as
sured that | shall respond TO the wishes OF
the battalion II speak, as shall endeavor
10 do, in the spirit which animated General
Lee when he declared his purpose after
the war TO devote himself to the work OF
" training young men TO do their duty In
liie."
Let me beg that you will express to the
members OF the corps my thanks for this
mark OF their favor and confidence, and that
YOU will accept INV grateful acknowledge
ments for the kind manner in which you have
beer pleased 10 convey to me the expression
OF their wishes.
Yours very respectfully,
HUGH 5. TB0MPsON.
The Virginia Midland Raflr"ad.
alexandra Gazette
..ioI ,a,c, Of tina Circnit Court for