The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-05-29
HANDS ALL ROUND.
The 2sth New York Vols. Return the Visit OF the
9Th Virginia. g. =. A.

0th fHstEias u - Il.
The 9Th Virginia veterans &C. s. A. were
afforded an opportunity last week, by the visit
of the 28th New York volunteers to Staunton,
to reciprocate the splendid hospitality shown
them last fall by the veterans Of that regiment
at Niagara Falls, and they did not fail to take
advantage of it. The New Workers, numbering
some 275 men, under the command of Colonel
E. +. Brown, were met at Baltimore on the
DIST by delegation from Stanton, consisting
of Colonel Stickleys Major Newton and Mr..
Frank Larew, of the 9Th Virginia, who acted
as their escort 70 Stauntou.
The train reached Harper's Ferry at noon,
where it stopped sufficient time to allow the
visitors to inspect points of historic interest.
The visitors were saluted here BY Joseph Tho
burn Post G.. A. r. At Winchester they were
greeted by a large number of citizens, and were
also met by eommittc from Staunt0n, inelud-
ing a number of ladies' They arrived at
Woodstock at o'clock, when they were adj
dressed by Colonel Stickleys and response
was made by Judge William Smith of Canaan
daigua. On arriving at Harrisonburg, twenty
five miles east of StaUnton, the visitors were
met at the depot by the militia and CON-
mittee of citizens Upon discriminating they
were taken to Court square, where an address
of welcome was delivered by Mayor PendletOn
Bryan, and was responded to by Colonel Brown,
of the 28th New York.
The people of HarriSOnburg were especially
eager to do honor to the 2Sth; for, although
twenty years have elapsed. they had not for
gotten the kindness and consideration they
received at the hands of that regiment during
the brief occupancy of the town, on provost
duty
AS the train rolled into the depot at Staun-
ton salute was fired from the Staunton artil-
lery, and deafening cheer went up from the
crowd, which was full 5000. The line was
quickly formed, and under the escort Of the
West Augusta Guards and the 5th Virginia,
headed by the historic Stonewall Brigade Band,
the visitors were escorted to the opera house,
and after an informal reception were assigned
to abiding places among the citizens.
A GALA DAY.
On the next morning the whole town was
radiant with banners. Houses were opened
dial as it was universal. At 10 o'clock large
PROCESSION was formed, headed by the old
Stonewall Brigade Band, followed by artillery,
the speakers in carriages, the veterans of the
26th and the veterans Of the 9Th Virginia and
citizens and guests on foot and in carriages.
After the parade the opera house was thrown
open and Immediately crowded to its utmost.
As the 26th entered, with its tattered and
bullet pierced flag waving, wild shout went
up. The auditorium was deliberately and
tastefully decorated with flags, notices and
coats of-arms of the States. The central figure
above the stage was the eoat-of arms of New
York, with those of Virginia and West Yir-
ginia on either side.
After medley of "Dixie" and Star-Span-
gled Banner" had been played by the band,
Major Newton president of the 9TH veterans,
called the house to order in a brief speech, in
which he recalled the splendid reception given
Aby the 28th New York at Niagara last year,
and heartily welcomed the guests. The formal
welcoming address on behalf of the veterans
was delivered by Captain James Bumgardener,
Jr., of the old 9Th. On behalf Of the citizens,
Colonel Skinner, of Virginia, delivered the adj
dress of welcome. E. L. Pitts, of New York,
responded on behalf of the visiting citizens, IN
the course of which he said: " Peace hath her
victories not less renowned than war, and the
greatest of those are the victories won by South
erD and Northern soldiers over themselves over
the animosities and hatred of the war. Greater
is he that conquereth himself than him that
taketh city, and that greatness you Virgin
ians have shown to-day. Brave men, now that
the battle is over, can do no more than clasp
hands Thank God that have lived to see the
day when The children clasp hands where
their fathers crossed blades"
THE sTAR-sPANGLED BANNER.
stirring interlude was the singing Of the
Star-Spangled Banner" by Mrs. Peterson, of
Lockport, n. Y. The prolonged applause that
followed could not be stilled until she had re-
sponded to an encore. During the singing the
old 18th flag was waved and the whole audience
rose TO its feet and caeered After resolutions
had been adopted by the 18th, thanking the
Stauntonians for their hospitality, the public
reception ended.
At night the city was brilliantly ilIumi-
mated, and nothing occurred to mar the har-
mony of the Reunion. The New York visitors
were delighted with the eordiality of their re-
ception and the old vets of the StonewaIl Bri-
gade could not find words to express their Joy
at being able to act as hosts to their former
foes.
On the morning of the following day, escorted
by the 9Th Virginia, the visitors went 70 Lex
ington by special train, where they were met
by the cadets from the Virginia Military Insti-
tute, and escorted to places of interest in Lex
ington, among them the University Chapel,
where they viewed Valentines superb reeum-
bent statue of General Z. E. Leland visited the
grave of StoneWall Jackson. The visitors had
also an opportunity of making the acquaintance
ofGeneral Jackson's famous old war horse before
leaving Lexington. After a visit to the Natural
Bridge, the excursionists returned TO Lexing-
ton, where they were rendered cordial reeep-
ton by the citizens, after which they left for
Richmond, arriving at that place early on the
morning of the 10Th. They were met at the
depot and escorted to different points of inter-
est by members of r. E. Lee Camp, Confederate
Veterans. On the next morning the visitors
left for Old Point where a majority of them
took the boat for New York, and thus ended by
far the most cordial meeting that has yet taken
place between the Blue and the Gray"
T.. ~ oF4 e.. o