The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-05
THE Blue AND THE GRAY.

ilVbt ChsSs
THE Blue AND THE GRAY.
A Meeting of Ex.soIdiers In support OF the
Home for Confederate Soldiers
New York World, 3d.
About fifty gentlemen assembled at the
st. James Hotel last evening and talked OF
ways and means for building home for
soldiers Of the Confederate army at Rich
mond, Va. General John b. Gordon, for
merry United States senator from Geor-
gia, who has borne leading part
in the movement, presided over the
meeting. Tine Coniede;ates were IN
a large majority. Among them were
Captain Charles u. Williams. the first
commander OF the II. +. Lee Post; Colo
mel John r. Fellows, DR.. William NJ. POLK,
Colonel Thomas l.. Snead, Captain l..
Harden; General Lilly, Of Virginia; Cap
tain Edward Owen, DR.. g. $. Sussdoril,
Captain Garden, Captain W. ii. Conor,
and Colonel William Hancock Clarke, the
last named acting as secretary. The more
prominent men from the Federal side were
General James X. OBeirne. Colonel Il. i.
Hill, Colonel John b. Phelps, Captain
Charles III. Mckenzie. and Captain Num-
gesser.
General Gordon. after stating the pur-
poses of the meeting, laid he regretted not
10 see the faces of more eX-tederal sol
ders. but he knew that they were with
them in heart II they could not be WIN
them In person. No men were more en-
tbusiastic In the support OF the movement,
and no men more ready TO assist the eofn-
"a. 1t, e1.u.. has IA
shot at them during the war. They
were enlisted now in a new war;
and were filed with Il grander,
higher, and more heavenly purpose
than warriors ever felt before. Gene
raj O'Belrne then described the ar
rangemcnts made thus far by the COM
mittec for the holding OF mass-meetins
at Cooper Institute next Wednesday night.
Among other things, be said that the glee
club OF Barbara Fretchie Post, OF Green
point, had volunteered. General Gordon
read the following dispatch which he had
received from General Grant in answer to
a letter requesting him to preside at the
maSs-meeting:
WASHINGTON, April ,, 1881.
4" 10 General j. b. Gordon, Nelo YOrk:
"Your letter OF April received. VIII
write you tomorrow expressing my hearty
approval Of the objects contemplated by
and eX-COniedcrate soldiers.
and regret that my physical condition will
prevent my presence. L. 5. GRANT
1t was moved by Captain Mckenzie that
General Hancock be invited to preside,
but General Gordon said that he had tele-
graphed 10 General Grant asking him to
reconsider his decision, as he was the one
American citizen who ought to be present.
General Gordon hoped for favorable
reply, and the motion made by Captain
Mckenzie was not acted upon because. as
G lionel Hill expressed it. such action might
afford General Grant an additional excuse
for not attending, and they did not desire
to excuse him on any grounds whatever.
One OF the committee on the entertain
ment TO be given in the Metropolitan
Opera-House for the benefit OF the fund
said that they would have to take the Both
OF April instead OF the 2Slh, as was pre-
viously suggested. The performance on
the 3Oth will be by the Amateur League in
the play OF " Richard ILL" The speaker
said there were number OF boxes to be
sold, and be should be happy to ill any
orders for boxes that might be given on
the spot. Mr.. w. VI. Conner, OF the 1t.
James Hotel, who had been in the room an
attentive listener, rose to say that he would
subscribe for the first box and give 5000.
The offer was loudly appauded, and Mr..
Common gracefully retired. Speeches were
afterwards made by Colonel John II. Fel-
lows and others.
GENERAL GRANT UNABLE TO PRESIDE AT THE
APPROACHING MEETING.
[By telegraph to the Dispatch.I
NEW YORK. April 4.-General Gordon
received the following letter from General
Grant, having reference TO the movement
to build home for disabled eX-COnfederate
soldiers:
Washington. ID. G., April 3.-Generdt
j. h. Gordon, Chairman Central Commit
tee, DC: Dear Slr,-Your letter OF March
31st informing me that had been chosen
to preside ut the meeting Of different posts
of the Grand Army Of the Republic and
eX-Confederates in the city OF New York
on the 9th instant was duly received. The
object of the meeting is to inaugurate I'M
der The auspices OF the soldiers OF both
armies movement in behalf OF fund to
build home for disabled eX-Contederate
soldiers. am in hearty sympathy with
the movement, and would be glad to accept
the position OF presiding officer If l was
able to do so. You may rely on me,
however, for rendering all the aid |
can in carrying out the designs Of
the meeting. | am here under treatment
for an injury received on Christmas eve
last, and will not he able to leave here I'M
til later than the 9th instant, and | cannot
tell you how soon or when l will probably
he able to so. / have received this morn
ing your dispatch OF last evening urging
that must be there to preside, but | have
to respond that it will be impossible for
me to be there on the 9th, and | cannot
now fix day when / could certainly be
present. Hoping your meeting will in
sure success, and promising my support
financially and otherwise to the movement,
| am, very truly youra, L.. S. GRANT.