Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-05-27

Two days ago we left our peaceful homes in
Western New York to visit you In TINS beauti-
tween our departure now, and one that oc-
CURED twenty-three years ago from this same
locality and by the same parties, with de-
crease of numbers and an increase of age and
experience. Then, tears and sobs of mothers,
wives, sisters, and friends. Now, smiles,
cheers, and joyous hearts wishing US a pleas
ant trip and safe and speedy return. No pa
triotic speeches on this occasion were required
TO induce enlistments. No promises of large
bounties All desired to come wi tn us and give
personal assurance of eternal friendship for
each member of the Fifth Virginia and their
friends.
Our pilgrimage hither has been over historic
ground We had travelled the same road be-
fore, some portions several times. often with
an escort in our rear But, my friends. 1t IS
the war. 1t is peace we seek, and that we can
all discuss. Twenty years since the maj sur
have peace,' and I would have the world
know how perfectly this is established ana
materially settled as 6etWeen Inc filIm M vhr
not oUs Are we not OF the same race? HaVe
we not the same interests, the same prlae OF
ancestry? Do we not all claim George WASH.
ington as the Father of our entire country
Politically and socially we may have our pref
erenees as to men and measures, but IN this
we can agree to disagree. Our interests are
one Let us be friends for all time. One peo-
pie, one nation ,lone flag.
What change, too, in the manner OF our
reception since our first visit to your border in
1861. 1t was the fortune or misfortune, of the
Twenty eighth New York to make an effort to
ascend this valley early in that year. we
crossed the border at Williamsport. We made
some acquaintance at Martinsburg. Our re-
ception was not cordial. 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 pro-
Our intention was to visit that city. No invi-
tation reached US, no escort was offered. The
road toward Harper's Ferry, through Charles
town, seemed pleasanter and. offered more in
ducements, and we turned in that direction.
While waiting events at Bolivar Heights, we
pie. such as we had never anticipated possible.
Some of our friends who had started on an ex-
cursion to Richmond, by the way of Manassas.
were met by delegation and advised to return
to Washington. Then it was apparent that we
were not 10 be cordially received.
This was over twenty years ago, and during
all this time we have continued to look at each
otherwith suspicion. Now, my friends, Is 1t not
time this was ended? 1t is. SO far as me Flfth
Virginia and Twenty-eighth New York are
concerned. We plighted our troth at niagara
last year, and renew it again to-day, and 1t
will continue for all time. 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 Fifth and Twenty
eighth have made long strides in that sdirec-
ton.
The Twenty eighth has war record; not
the best perhaps; certainly not the worst. Of
that record we have no reason to be ashamed.
We are proud of it. But my friends. If we had
pride in our war record, that pride is increased
ten fold to-day. 1t was peace we sought from
peece has eome Frendsbps baVe followed
Good will has again returned. The Fifth has
also record, and do do not speak of it hesi-
1tatingly. 1t was grand record. They are. as
they have q right TO be, proud of that record.
You, as their friends, join in their praise and
efaulate their heroic deeds. This is your right.
your duty. believe they, too. with one &C.
cord, will unite with the Twenty-eighth in de-
claring this one of the .proudest acts of their
history. They forgive those who they believed
= trespassed against them. Honest, sincere, pa
triotic, and true in war. Kind, gentle and
forgiving in peace.
time to tell you how well and creditaby the
Fifth acquitted themselves, and how perfectly
they captured the hearts of our people year
ago at Niagara. The weather was cold and
rainy, and they were subjected to great dis
comforts. and we were compelled to seek shell
ter 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 sum
shine for two days, and yet they did not COM
plain Soldier-Iike, 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 welcomed at
all times and on any occasion. 1t is not likely
we shall be able to meet annually but let 1T be
understood that an invitation is standing for
any or all members of the Fifth to attend our
reunions which occur on May END.
Comrades and friends--this is glorious day
your welcome is magnificent your reception
is royal. We thank you for it. We are repaid
an hundred fold for this pilgrimage. We shall
return to our homes to rehearse to our friends
the hospitality with which we have been re-
ceived and welcomed to your city and the VAL
This day and these evidences of welcome on
every side will long be remembered by us. On
behalf of the Twenty-eighth New York Tor
whom speak accept our gratitude and thanks
forsthis day OF days, and this magnificent re-
ception and welcome.
1.-THE sTAR-SPANGLED BANNER"
At the close of Col. Browns address, Mrs.
Jessie Peterson, of Buffalo, Il. Y, niece OF
q tor cs,1a cd Do
She has an admirable soprano voice and sang
it with appreciative feeling. She was applaud
ed at each verse. and the audience encored her.
In behalf of the citizens of Staunton and
Augusta,
COL. JAMES II. SKINNER, OF THE SIND VA,
then delivered the following address of well
GOMEZ
Veterans Of the Tiventy- Eighth NelU York ReSi-
D,ent, and ladies and gentlemen Of -NetO York.
You now in the very bosom OF the old
State of Virginia. and the heart of this people
is freely open to you. Virginia, then, receives
. you to-day in her hearts core, aye, in her
heart of hearts" lApplause.1 Our citizens of
all ages, venerable men and matronly women,
young men and maidens, "the expectancy and
rose of the fair state" the veteran soldiers of
the past, and the volunteer soldiery OF the
present, all are gathered here TO give emphasis
to my otherwise insufficient words, when. in
The events which have led to this suspicious
reunion of thersurvivors of two veteran regi-
ments that were antagonists in our civil strife
are too interesting to be passed in silence. II
it be permissible, after such lapse of mellow
ing time, to treat pleasantly what once wore
quite tragic aspect. will say that band of
New Workers, known as the 18th Regiment
were engaged on the 9th of August. 1862, on the
plains of Culpeper, near Cedar mountain, in
making very lively assault ON Confederate
regiment While so engaged body of Vir-
ginians, known as the 5th Regiment-o whose
achievements, as part OF the historic "Stone-
wall Br1gade We all here are very proud
made q flank movement az ain st them: in 9TH
words, got in the rear of the aforesaid New
Yorkers-a much pleasanterpostion doubtless
than 10 nave tbeen in their front Just then
[applausel- and observing that these stran-
gers were going much too far in their hot Ca
reer, anu were committing terrible trans |
gression against the peace dignity. and secu-
rity OF this Commonwealth, [laughter] closed
upon them and arrested them IN their mad
do1ngs; The Twenty-Eghth being far too gall |
liant pody ever to desert their colors, it fol- |
lowed that their flag shared their fate and
to e EaSt at oe
propose to return this flag to its former brave
owners The offer was not only promptly and
chlvalry the captors were invited to deliver it
IN person, and were promised cordi al recep
men at Nam Peda1on OF rhe kegi
OF the Empire State fulfill your hospitable I'M
dertaklng. Our veterans, and the friends who
accompanied them on their visit to you last
May, came back with hearts deeply impressed
with your kindness, and with tongues loud in
that visit. and our lovely Valley stretches wide
open her arms to welcome and embrace you
fApplause.l / do not know in what terms the
invitation 10 you was couched. Did they ask
you, as ancient gossips do, to come and bring
your work" and spend some sociable days
with them? Ofone thing, however, am sure,
that they might well have hidden you, in the
name of this people, to come and bring your
work and spend the remainder of your days
with us for our lands are hfaaa and fertile,
0us capital not over abundant, and we should
be glad to have the silence Of our fields broken
by the CHATTER and hum of those manufacture
ing Industries which are so much more COM
mon with you than with us. But on whatev-
er terms you come, 1t is most observable, that
your visit fulfills very strikingly the conditions
OF Samson's riddle to the PhiIistines, since
from the mouth of devouripg war we gather
to-day the sweetness of one of the most signal
triumphs of peace. [Applause.l
MY countrymen, l trust you hold with me
the comforting belief that an all-wise, al
mighty. and benignant Providence rules in the
af1alrs OF nations and of individuals. His
ways are not as our ways nor His thoughts as
our thoughts" viii it be pardOnabe to point
this truth by personal reference? lfso. then
let me say that twenty years ago in this lovely
month OF May, SO full in general of budding
lie and Joyous expectation, your speaker lay,
on the plains of Spotsylvania, almost in the
embrace OF death from q wound inflicted by
Hancock's corps. How impossible it would
have been for him then to have even dreamed
sixteen !, fro t,a ha ofrixr