The National tribune., 1885-09-24
BLUE AND GRAY.
New England Veterans In the Shenandoah Val

Last week about 150sNew England veterans
visited the Shenandoah Valley the scene of the
decisive battles under Sheridan. Prominent il
the party were exGov. Thomas and Gen
Chamberlain, of Vermont; Gen. Dickinson, o.
Connecticut; Col. Wellington, of Massachu
! sets; Gen. Rhodes, of Rhode Island, and many
others from the New England States. The or
ganization arrived on the 18th at Winchester
where they pitched tents and encamped on The
old battlefield. They were met by the Win
chester Light Inf, Capt. Mutton, and by Corps
No. of Confederate Veterans. A Campfire
was held, and the meeting of the blue and
gray on the scene of their former bloody con.
fict was most fraterEal. The next day they
went to HarrisOnburg where they were ten
dered a reception and banquet.
On Saturday the dedication services Of the
marble shaft presented by Col. Herbert Hill, OF
Boston, and erected on the battlefield of the
18th of September, were largely attended.
Lieut-Gov Ormsbee, of Vermont, delivered
the grafton. In the afternoon a banquet was
given the New Englanders by the citizens of
Winchester. The most hearty Virginia hospi-
tality was shown. Mayor Williams welcomed
the guests amid great applause from the visit
ing veterans. Col. Carroll Wright responded
for them, and various other gentlemen spoke,
including Judge J. NJ. Harlan, of the United
States Supreme Court, who delivered very
eloquent address. Gen. Ftzhugh Lee, Demo-
cratic candidate for Governor of Virginia, who
had been invited by the New Englanders to be
present, responded in a letter, which was re-
ceived with great applause He wrote:
regret that my political engagements will pre-
vent my presence upon such an interesting occa-
sion. Such Reunion produces fraterna feeling
among the sections and strengthens the Union of
the States. The South is marching steadily for
ward and hopes to do her share towards making
TINS Republic what our forefathers intended she
should be-the glory of America and a blessing to
over a struggle of quarter of a century ago, but
Is waving the star-spanSled banner, and hopes the
bloody shirt Will be fuFled forever. If the COM
ing of our Northern brethren assists in accomplish
ing such desirable results. bid them welcome, thrice
welcome.
AT night there was a display of fireworks.
One piece shown by the New Hampshire vet
Grams elected great enthusiasm, loud cheers
bursting from the immense crowd, variousy
estimated at from 5000 to 10000. 1t was life
size. Yank and Johnnie Reb shaking hands,
with the word "Fraternal above their heads,
cannon balls on one side, arms stacked on the
ether, one in blue, the other in gray, the colors
coming out finely.
The cannon trophy, won for the best marks
manship was presented to the Confederate
team.
Sunday was spent in making visits to ac-
quaintances and attending services at the diff
ferent churches; Rev. Mr.. Whittemore of
Boston, occupying the Methodist Church. Serv-
ices by the veterans in the National and Stone
wall Cemeteries in the afternoon were largely
attended. The floral decorations of their dead
in the National Cemetery were elaborate, the
services being under the direction of Col. John
B. Mead, of Randolph, Vt.
They then passed over into the Stonewall
Confederate Cemetery. The kneeling around
the mound of the 800 unknown dead, the ten
der remarks by Col. Carroll Wright the fcrvent
invocation by Rev. Mr.. Whittemore, of Boston,
and the placing of floral tributes upon the base
of the mound by Union vets touched the
Southern heart, making it beat quickly and
responsive to such an exhibition of true no.
blity in their former foes, now friends and
countrymen. Many silent tear courscd down
the rugged checks and fair faces of those col
lected there.