Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-05-27
F'ate'sa! Greeting!

RECEPTION OF NEW YORK VETERANS.
The Hearf.uniOn OF Old Soldiers.
..PEACE HATH HER VICTORIES NO LESS
RENOWNED THAN WAR;
RECEPTION AT THE OPERA HoUsE-THE
SPEECHES DELIvERED-THE VISIT OF THE
GUESTS TO THE D., d. 1t B. INSTITUTION
THEIR VISIT TO LEXINGTON AND THE NAT
URAL BRIDGE-THEIR RETURN TO sTAUNToN
AND DEPARTURE FOR RICHMOND AND OLD
POINT COMFoRT-GREETED CORDIALLY Ev-
ERYwHERE THEY sToPPED-REcEIvED AS
BROTHERS.
The scene which was presented in this little
city on last Thursday equaled in moral sub
Unity almost any event which has ever &C.
Cured in history, and attested the truth of
Millions oft-quoted lins-"Peace hath her VIC
tories no less renowned than war" Those who
had been foes in war and had met each other
In the shock of battle, met. on this occasion, as
friends in peace and greeted each other as
brothers.
In the battle on the 9th day of August, 1862,
near Cedar Mountain, in Culpeper county, Va,
in which it happened that the Twenty Eighth
New York and the Fifth Virginia Regiments
were arrayed against each other in deadly con-
f1ict, in which both Regiments acquitted them
selves with their wonted valor, the colors of the
Twenty.eighth New York were captured by
the Fifth Virginia Regiment.
At the annual reunion of the Twenty eighth
New York ct Nj CARA Falls, on the 22nd Of May
of last year. The veterans of the gallant Fifth
49, so Irf0
made formal presentation to the Twenty
eighth New York of their captured bullet-rid-
died flag, which they had returned to them.
On this interesting occasion. the veterans of
the Fifth Virginia, and their citizen friends
who accom- panied them, were kindly re-
ceived, and so Hospitality entertained. that. on
their return to their homes, they were eloquent
in praise of the cordial greeting they had re
ceived at TIE hands, not only of the veterans
of the Twenty eighth New York, but of the
citizens Of that State generally. In grateful
reciprocation, the veterans of the Fifth Vir-
ginia resolved to invite the Twenty-eighth
New York to hold their annual reunion this
year at Stanton, where they would be re-
ceived and treated with that hospitality for
which Virginians are proverbial. This invita-
ton was accepted in the kind and fraternal
spirit in which it was offered, and the result
was that 9S surviving veterans of the Twenty
eighth New York, accompanied by $50 citizens,
70 of whom were ladies-their wives and lady
friends-arrived here on last Wednesday even
ing about o'clock.
From the time these veterans and their ac-
companying citizen friends reached the sacred
soil of the Old Commonwealth in our lovely
Valley to the time they left it on the eastern
shore, they received a welcome, akin to an
ovation wherever they stopped long enough
to give cur people an opportunity to manifest
their delight and pleasure at their visit, and to
take them cordially by the hand, and greet
them friends and brothers.
AS the train bearing these visitors crossed
the Potomac at 'Harper's Ferry and came upon
the soil of Virginia salute in their honor was
fired by the citizens.
When it reached WOODSTOCK, large number
of citizens awaiting its arrival. Col. E.
Il. Sticxley, of Woodstock, who was the orator
of the Fifth Virginia at their reception at Nj
agara Falls year ago, got on the train and
was warmly welcomed by ,he Twenty-eighth
New York. He made brief address welcom-
ing the visitors TO Virginia, which was appro-
priately replied to by Hon. f. L. Pitts, of New
York.
At HaTrisonburg, they were warmly well
OOhON, Gnu oPeOAot PiSpaiibiOHS Aie@N oNoAA
made there to give them a handsome enter
tainment, but, by some mistake, they were
hurried back to the train before they could
partake of the good things provided for them.
On the arrival of the train there, the citizens
escorted the visitors to the Courthouse yard.
An address OF welcome was made by hay r
Bryan, Of uarrisonburg, which was responded
to by Capt, Erwin A. Bowen of the Twenty
eighth New York. The citizens of Harrison
burg were anxious to pay special honor to
Capt. Bowen in remembrance Of his good con-
duct to wards them when he was Provost Mar
shall of that place when it was. for short
time in tie possession of the Federal troops
during the war.
In pleasant anticipation OF the arrival here
of these visitors, which was expected to occur
at half-past O'Clock on Wednesday afternoon,
our citizens had made every preparation for
their hearty reception. The city presented
such an appearance as it had never presented
before even on the most joyous occasions. 1t
was arrayed for the bridal of the sections, and
the heart union of the gallant sons of the EN-
pire State with the no less gallant sons of the
"Mother of States and of Statesmen - as well
as of heroes and patriots. Thousands of BAN
ners, great End small. decorated the houses; as
if by magic a wilderness of flags and pennons
seemed to spring up in an hour; red, white
and blue cloths festooned many buildings
notices expressive of welcome were found in
many places, among the most conspicuous of
which, in large letters on cloth, was the in
scriptfon-"W elcome, Twenty.eighth New
York, to our hearts and homes" Nearly all
the vehicles on the streets and the horses
drawing them were decorated with flags. Some
of the houses, SIS that of the store of D. b
NJ a 10th tasfafrlIlV and
fusely festooned with evergreen and little flags.
The children carried little flags and the ladies
wore them on their bosoms. Chinese lanterns
in countless numbers were hung in front OF
the houses along the principal streets, and all
the necessary preparations for an illumination
of the city when the proper time should ar
rive.
The guns of the Stanton Artillery, under
Cant T. T. Long, were stationed at the depot to
fire o sIaute of welcome on the arrival of the
train. The West Augusta uard, under Capt.
Thos. J. Crowder, headed by the Stonewall
Brigade Band, marched to the depot; and the
Fifth Virginia Veterans, under Capt. T. NJ
smiley, also marched to the depot to welcome
the arrival OF the visitors. Hundreds of citi-
zen spectators were at the depot and the
surrounding hills in anxious and impatient
expectation of the arrival of the train. Their
patience was tried. for In consequence OF a de-
lay of the train on the way, three weary hours
elapsed before the welcome booming of the ar
tillery announced the near approach of the
train. Then the welkin was made to ring with
the shouts of the people who had assembled
there to greet the visitors.
In consequence OF arriving so late, and the
want of room at the depot, the plan for FORM
ing the visitors in line and marching them in
a body to the Opera House, where homes
would be assigned them, could not be carried
into successful effect, and the result was some
confusion, and emba rrassment to our visitors,
which was very much regretted by our citi-
zeDs. Not outstanding this, however. 1T was
not a very great while before all were gotten
into the Opera House and homes were assigned
them, to which they were conducted.
On the next morning-Thursday-t day
for the formal reception, the streets were
crowded with the citizens OF the town and
county, an hour or two in advance of the time
to assemble at the Opera House. The process
sion was formed about half past ten O'Clock.
the Chief Marshal being Col. II. j. Williams,
assisted by Col A. W. Hartman, Capt. Peter E.
Wilson, and Capt. James N. Mcfarland.
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