The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-10-26

Chickamauga Campaign Described in
Fine Address-Tribute TO General George
II. Thomas-A Valuable Contribution TO the
History OF the Late War-Business Trans
acted, &c., &c.
The annual gatherings Of the veterans OF
the Army OF Northern Virginia have for
some years past been a most interesting
feature in the exercises OF "Pair week."
and have attracted always large crowds and
enthusiastic interest. The meeting this
year has been no exception, and there
gathered in the State Capitol last night such
an array Of brave men and fair women as
these occasions never fail 10 draw.
Long before the appointed hour the au-
dience begun 10 assemble, and it was
pleasant 20 witness the greetings Of old
comrades, and TO note that although
many who have been accustomed to
attend these rednions were absent on
other duties the old camp-iires stlll burn
brightly and the old spirit Of devotion to
the cause Of constitutional freedom still
lives; and while these men have heartily
"accepted the situation" and fully realize
that this must henceforth be one country,
they respond with hearty "Amen" to
every utterance OF these centennial times,
which eulogizes the principles Of IG or the
men who fought and died to maintain them.
ORGANIZATION.
Just before the appointed hour General
J. A. Early came into the hall, and was
greeted with loud and continued applause.
In the absence Of the president General
W. III. +. Lee Colonel Il. III. Carter, one
of the yice-presidentS, called the meeting
TO ORDER and stated that the Executive
Committee had requested General j. A.
Early TO preside.
As General Early took the chair he was
again greeted with enthusiastic applause.
lie called on DR.. j. William Jones to lead
in prayer.
On motion Of Colonel II. c. Cabell, a
committee consisting OF Colonel II. {.
Cabell, Private J. Hall Moore, Captain D..
V. Bidgood, Captain w. G. McCabe, and
Captain Maxwell T. Clarke was appointed
to recommend officers for the ensuing year.
On motion Of Major Robert Stiles, the
following resolution was unanimously
adopted .
ResolUed, That in the judgment Of this
meeting, It is eXpedient and proper that
the office OF permanent chaplain TO the
Association be created, and that the Rev.
j. William Jones, whose interest in the
Society has always induced him 10 serve in
this capacity without such recognition, be
elected to this Office.
General Early then stated that while on
former occasions the orators OF this AsS0-
citation had selected themes which per-
tanned alone to the Army Of Northern Vir-
ginia, they were fortunate in having
on this occasion Il competent orator who
would speak OF a campaign in which our
comrades OF the West did valiant service.
He had great pleasure i'm introducing Colo
mel Archer Anderson, who would now
speak Of "The Campaign and Battle OF
Chickamauga."
CHICKAHAUGA.
Colonel Anderson was received with
loud applause, and proceeded without
manuscript to deliver an able, clear, classic,
eloouent. and exceedingly valuable address
on his chosen theme.
lie introduced his subject as follows:
Comrades OF the Army Of Northern Nir-
cinia.-By the too partial choice Of your
committee I am about 10 speak to you OF a
campaign which, though the peculiar ap-
panagc OF the fame Of the Army OF Iennes-
see, viii yet always be recounted as IN one
aspect a brilliant episode in the glorious
story OF the Army ca Northern Virginia.
The historian Arnold has remarked that
military events are rarely worthy OF CIR
cumstantial narration unless they combine
some OF the elements OF romance or lmpart
in n striking manner some great lesson IN
the art OF war. hope may claim for the
events shall describe some portion OF each
of these elements OF interest. 1t Is Of the
campaign and battle OF Chickamauga l pro-
nose to speak. The campaign may be said
10 have begun i'm the last days OF August.
The battle was fought on Saturday the 18Th
and Sunday the 10Th OF September, 1863.
II Won will recall the circumstances OF
that summer, the failure to win the deci-
siye battle OF Gettysburg, followed lmme-
diately bv the loss OF Nicksburg, and,
worse still. OF the army defending it; the
norteutous concentration OF Rosecranz
and Burnside's armies, threatening an ad-
vance through Chattanooga and hnoNNille,
which would sever the Confederate power
the Gloom as well rs the determination OF
the greater part Of the southern people,
who did not need the afteriight OF history
10 reckon Alright the stunning effect OF the
| blows lust received; the rising dlsauectlon
of certain portions oi the Coniedcracy I'M
dor the pressure OF the new call OF the con-
scription acts, extending the draft upon
our populations upwards to men OF forty
five and downwards 70 boys OF eighteen
the growing conception Of the colossal
mower marshaled against us; the
su0erings OF all the people in their homes
the fierce storm OF battle let loose upon
| Charleston: the calm repOse OF the only
I two great armies left 10 the Confedcracy-
Lees in Virginia, after the deadly grapple
at gettysburg, detiantIy holding its adyer-
sary at BAY; Bragg's in Middle Tennessee,
ofter yainly weakening itself to succ0r
Vicksburg. waiting the spring OF its pow
orful foe with no other hope than 10 avoid
il nimbly and retire upon the strong gate
way OF the South, ChattanOoga-if, carry
inc, in your minds all the details OF those
anxious days Of July and August, 1868,
Won will pass rapidly with me over the
events which eliminated in the battle
OF Chickamauga, and then, rejecting
unon what happened one year later ;
n II appcar TO the men who fought at
Cbickamauga the southern people owed
one wears respite from their inevitable
fot, '' | show YOU that to the eXtraordl-
nary and romantic presence of two diyi-
sions OF Longstreets corps on that 1eld tue
result OF that battle is strictly to be ascriDed
II [ can impart 4 proper conception OF the
magnanimity OF your great leader IN str!p-
ping himself Of so large q portion oi MS
strength after such a campaign as tliat OF
gettysburg, or Of the exceeding skill and
fortune with which that wonderful move
ment Of Longstreeps over 900 miles OF di-
lapidated railways was swiftly and secretly
conducted. / feel that you will rather tax
the temerity OF the speaker than the pow
erty OF the theme.
TRIBUTE TO GENERAL THOMAS.
He then gave a very clear analysis OF the
leading soldiers Of the Army OF IeniiesSee'
] II tho ,nar, VFbn pOUl-