Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-05-23

not all claim George Washington as the Father
of our entire country? Politically and soci-
allv We may have our preferences as to men
and measures, but in this we can agree to dis
agree. Our interests are one. Let us be
friends for all time One people, one nation,
one flag. [Applause.]
What change, too in the manner of our
reception since our first visit to your border IN
| 1861 It was the fortune or misfortune, OF the
2Sth N Y, to make an effort to ascend this
valley early in that year. We crossed the Dor
| der at Williamsport. We made some acqualn-
tances at Martinsburgh. Our reception was
not cordial. Laughter. We passed on to
Bunker Hill, but no address OF welcome
was rendered us. Apparently there was
no desire on the part of the people
that we should proceed farther. We had
heard of Winchester. Our intention was to
visit that city. No invitation reached us, no
escort was offered. The road towards Har-
per's Ferry, through Charlestown, seemed
| pleasanter and offered more inducements, and
| we turned in that direction. While waiting
events at Bolivar Heights we heard of the in
hospitality of the Virginia people, such as we
had never anticipated possible. Some OF our
| friends who had started on an excursion to
Richmond, by the way of Manassas, were met
by delegation and advised to return to WASH
| ington. Then it was apparent that we were
not to be cordially received. [Great laughter. |
This was over twenty years ago, and during
| all this time we have continued to look at each
other with suspicion. Now, my friends, is it
not time this was ended? 1t is, SO far as the
Fifth Va and 2Sth N. Y. are concerned. We
plighted our troth at Niagara last year, and
renew it again to-day, and it will continue for
all time. Applause. would that all the
good people of Virginia could have been
with us at Niagara one year ago,
and all the good people of New York
could be with us to-day blessed are the
peace makers" is a consoling gospel truth.
| The 5th and 28th have made long strides in
that direction.
TIE 26th has war record not the best,
perhaps, certainly not the worst. Of that re-
cord we have no reason to be ashamed. We
are proud of 1t. But, my friends, if we had
pride in war record that pride is increas-
ed ten fold to-day. 1t was peace we sought
from the first, not war. Peace, glorious,
| blessed peace has come. Friendships have
| followed. Good will has again returned. The
| 9Th has also a record, and I do not speak of 1t
hesitatingly. 1t was grand record. They
are, as they have right to be, proud of that
record. You, as their friends, join in their
! praise and emulate their heroic deeds. This
| is your right your duty. I believe they, too,
with one accord will unite with the 28th in de-
claring this one of the proudest acts of their
history. They forgive those who they believ-
| ed trespassed against them. Honest, sincere,
patriotic and true in war. Kind, gentle and
| forgiving in peace.
| It is one of our objects in visiting you at
| this time to tell you how we'll and creditably
| the Fifth acquitted themselves and how per-
| fectly they captured the hearts of our people
| a year ago at Niagara. The weather was cold
and rainy, and they were subjected to great
discomforts, and we were compelled to seek
shelter from the storm in close rooms, and
only by great effort and real courage could
they get view of the cataract, even. Not a
ray of sunshine for two days. and yet they did
not complain Soldier-like they took their
rations and grumbled quietly to themselves if
at all. We do sometimes have sunshine and
warm weather. Try us in July or August
and you will be convinced. You will be well
coined at all times and on any occasion. 1t is
not likely we shall be able to meet annually,
but let it be understood that an invitation is
standing for any or all members of the Fifth
| to attend our reunions which always occur on
May the twenty second
| Comrades and friends-this is q glorious
I day; your welcome is magnificent; your re-
ception is royal. We thank you for it. We
ore repaid an hundred fold for this pilgrim
| age We shall return to our homes to rehearse
to our friends the hospitality with which we
| have been received and welcomed to your city
and the valley of Virginia.
This day and these evidences of welcome on
every side will long be remembered by u.s.
| On behalf of the 28th N. Y, for whom speak,
accept our gratitude and thanks for this day of
days, and this magnificent reception and well
| come
| 1.-THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER"
At the close Of Col. Browns address,
! Mrs. Jesse Peterson, of Buffalo, N. Y,
a niece of Col. Brown, sang the ''Star
Spangled Banner" She has an admira-
BILE soprano voice and sang it with appre-
clative feeling. She was applauded at
each verse, and the audience encore her.
In behalf of the citizens of Stanton
and Augusta,
COL. JAMES H. SKINNER, OF THE
SD VA,
then delivered the following address of
welcome !:
Veterans of the Ttsenty- Eighth NeD York
Regiment, and ladies and gentlemen OF
Neao York:
You are now in the very bosom of the
old State Of Virginia, and the heart of
this people is freely open to you. Virgin
ia then receives you to day In her
"heart's core, aye in her heart
of heart" [Applause.] Our citizens
of all ages, venerable men and
matronly women, young mon and
maidens. "the expectancy and rose Of tho
fair state" the veteran soldiers Of the
past, and the volunteer soldiery of the
present, all are gathered hers to give en-
phasls to my otherwise insufficient words,
when, in their name, bid you hearty
welcome.
The events which have led to this au-
spicious reunion Of the survivors Of two
veteran regiments that were antagonists
IN our civil strife, are too interesting to
be passed IN silence. IT it be permissible,
after such lapse OF mellowing time, to
treat pleasantly what once wore quite q
tragic aspect, l will say that band Of
New Workers. known as the 28th Regi-
ment, were engaged on the 9th of August,
1862, on the plains of Culpeper. near Cedar
mountain, in making very lively assault
on a Confederate regiment. While so en-
gagged body of Virginians. known as the
9Th Regiment-Of whose achievements as
part of the historic ''Stonewall Brigade"
we all here are very prOud-made flank
movement against them, in other words
got in the rear Of the aforesaid New
Yorkers-a much pleasanter position
doubtless than to have been in their front
just then-[applausel and observing that
these strangers were going much too
far in their hot career, and were COM
hitting terrible transgression against
the peace, dignity and security of
this Commonwealth [laughter], closed
upon them and arrested them In their
mad doings. The Twenty Eighth being
far too gallant body ever to desert
their colors, it followed that their flag shar-
ed their fate, and was taken with them.
Last year. 1t occurred to some of the sur
viving Virginians to propose to return
this flag to its former brave owners. Tho
ly accepted, hut in spirit of true chival-
ry the captors were invited to deliver it In
person, and were promised cordial re-
ception al the anniversary reunion of tha