The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-06-28

ular and appropriate that the hour should
have been fixed for the banquet. He spoke
of Malvern Hill and of the action there of
the brigade, and said that although he was
proud of his life as a member of the brigade
American citizen. He loved the flag under
which they had fought, but the war was over
he now loved the flag they had fought against,
and were it necessary, he would enlist under
it tomorrow to defend it from dishonor and
defeat. He taught his boy to love the flag,
and believed it to be the duty of parents to
teach their sons and daughters to love and
honor their country.
Major Burgess resumed his seat amid much
cheering The President next gave the army
of the United States, and called upon Col.
J. G. c. Lee, to respond.
Colonel Lee, thanked the president for
the call, and said that he was in position of
the man who wrote a treatise and remarked
when he wrote it, God and he only knew what
it meant, but now God only knows what it
means. He came here sixteen years ago, just
after the great war, and although they were
separated by a political chasm, they were re-
ceived with friendship, for the people knew
that the men came to do their duty. We
knew the influence of the Anglo Saxon call to
the flag of right and justice, which had told
so well in the past and would in the future.
The army honored their former antagonists as
men who had fought nobly and well, and
nothing but good feeling and friends had ex-
listed on both sides.
In response to the loud calls, Gov. Roberts
rose and returned thanks for their kindness.
He was present as an invited guest and did
not intend to make a speech, but still he
would say something. 1t was right and proper
that the survivors of the Brigade should as
semble yearly, for these reasons, they had
had fought honorably in Virginia. Tennessee,
Arkansas and Arizona, and every where they
went Hoods Brigade was in the front where
the eyes of the world was upon them. They
stood there as the representatives., as the heroes
forays. Let me tell you that they inspired the
heroes-inspired also the soldiers at San Ia
cinto. hope the same spirit will continue to
inspire the Texan soldiers, and that when
they are obliged to 60 into the battle somebody
is going to be killed. You have stood in the
front and you have done honor, therefore we
honor you for the credit you have brought up
on Texan soldieIy. Again thank you.
There were cries for Ireland, but it was not
responded to.
General John K. Baylor was complimented
by the call. He remembered once when in
company with his friend Judge Winkler-that
noble man SO recently gone to his rest-he
saw Gen. Butler was in front, when an assault
was threatened. He thought the general saw
him, at all events, he saw the general, who
had spy-glass in his hand peeping through
it. General Butler did not make that assault
and ever since then he had had business
squint out of one eye. You had Lee for your
leader and you had the whole of the Yankees
to fight, and you did it we'll. I would rather
have your reputation than any Office in the
disposal of the American government. When
the order first came out, Hoods Brigade are
the best soldiers" asked Lee-who was one
of the men was disposed to take my hat off
to-if he issued it He said: eyes, l did,
and said just what mean. These fellows
are far from home; they are true and faithful,
and if ever l get in a tight corner l
can always depend upon them" We had
just as brave soldiers in our corps, but
you had better opportunity, and you did bet
ter. He belonged to the veterans of AZ /;
Hoods brigade was we'll mounted on fine
horses and we'll equipped, we rode sore-back
mules and any gun they could catch. He
came here as soldier when there was little
Mexican village, and he served in Sam Hous-
tons army; he tried since to whip the YAM
KEGS, but they whipped him. Laughter
He had had something to do with Indian
troubles, but his Indian policy was not popu-
lar; its opponents believed in chastising the
Indians on account of his soul. He never
believed he had one. The General concluded
by saying he had only one ambition, to live
in Texas, die in Texas, and to attend the re-
union of Hoods brigade when they occurred.
General Robertson, in responding to the
calls for him, said he and the brigade felt
honored by the reception they had met with
here, and would return home invigorated to
combat the difficulties of life. You can mag
inc the appreciation we have of the honor you
have done US. 1t is something like tine fellow
who was asking the important question of life.
He said to her, Lydia, say the word, will
you have me-" and the girl replied, 'you
ought not to press the question. when you
just know I would" The president then sat
down and the crowd separated.
The proceedings were of pleasant charac-
ter, everything was cordial and the arrange
ments made for the reception and attendance
Of the guests at banquet were satisfactory.
Military Orders.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS,
SAN ANTONIO, June "a, 1882.