Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-10-02
SHENANDOAH &VETERANS.
VERMONT NIGHT AT CAMP RUSSELL.
Interesting Speeches by Gems. Thomas
Grout and other Veterans-Battle
Reminiscences-A Very No
table Celebration.
WINCHESTER, Va, Sept 10, 1885.

Camp RUSSELL so named Tor the brave
and chivalrc General Russell who lost
his life twenty-one years ago to-day in
the famous battle of the Opequan, is
pleasantly located beyond the city OF Win
chester near the National cemetery Just
across the Berryville pike. There are
eighty tents with large covered stand
in the centre of the camp from which all
the speaking is made, while from the tall
stats in different parts of the camp ny
the starry banners of the Union. Inc
camp itself is model of beauty The
larger tents are the headquarters of the
different States and bear their respective
names and coats of arms, while bunting,
small flags, Chinese lanterns and other
ornaments brighten up the eXteriors and
interiors. In our trip through the valley
the days were spent in going over the old
battlefieds, locating positions, hearing
accounts from the Confederates, compar-
ing notes, and gaining information con-
corning the struggles of twenty-one years
ago in the Valley. Camp-fires occupied
the evenings, each night being under the
direction of different State, and the gen
erouS rivalry to see who can entertain
our visitors to camp the best, are among
the pleasant features of our encampment.
Last evening was assigned to Vermont
and it would have gratited our friends at
home to have seen and heard the speak
ers, specially those from Vermont, all of
whom have such strong holds upon the
people of the Green Mountain State.
Twenty-One years ago vast armies en-
circled this beautiful city, lying in silent
lines of battle. 1t was the awful quiet
which precedes the storm. Thousands of
brave boys who slept beside their com
rades that night, before another day had
passed slept the long sleep of death. Last
night, in marked contrast with those
scenes of war, gaiety reigned supreme,
rockets pierced the sky, beautiful fire
works enchanted the people of Winches-
ter, enlivening music filled the air and
beauty. General Thomas, Lieut. Gov.
Ormsbee, General Grout, and Colonel
Mead were at their best, and their splen-
did speeches won the hearts of the Nir-
ginians and touched responsive chords
In the Union and Confederate veterans.
The citizens remarked that never before
had they witnessed in the valley such Il
magnificent display of fireworks, which
had been specially prepared in Boston for
this occasion. Two set pieces especially
called forth great applause. These We're
gigantic figure of IA Nermonter with
his right hand extended, over which was
the sentiment, in large letters, "Nermont
greets Virginia" The other was a large
wreath arranged in various colors in
which in bold letters of fire twinkled out
Vermont General, who made such a repu-
tation in the battle fought here. 1t was a
splendid compliment to him ana the Con
federates and Union soldiers all joined in
declaring il was worthy his splendid repu-
tatiOn a. a soldier.
There were between 5000 and 1000 peo
pie III our camp of the best citizens OF
Winchester, and the surrounding coun
try, many coming from twenty and thirty
miles away. These camptires have
brought out not only the colored people
but great numbers of representatives OF
the first families of Virginia who came tC
share in the enjOyments and applaud the
orators and the fraternal sentiments eX
pressed OF loyalty to the union and de
sire for the best interests OF our common
country.
Major Fred f. smith of Montpelier
member of the executive committee, had
charge of the meeting on Vermont
night, and ably and wittily did the hon
Ors OF the occasion. Seated upon the
platform were brave soldiers of the blue
and of the gray. Among the speakers
present, by invitation of the committee
were Colonel Jones, member of the
Confederate General Gordon's staff now
a resident of Alabama, who is spending
few DAYS at Winchester. Colonel Riley
of the First Virginia cavalry, and the
brave and chivalric Captain Mutton OF
Winchester, who made reputation in the
army second to none for brave and waller
Gus service. These brave officers vice
with the Union speakers in laudation OF
the Union and spirit of true loyalty. Cap
tain Mutton whose face was familiar to
large number of the old veterans and whit
is clerk of the Court at Winchester, re
ceived a most cordial welcome not only
from the veterans but from the citizens o
his native city. He spoke for the futur,
of the country and pledged that the Con
federates would join the veterans of tn,
Union armies to advance all the grand in
tereStS of Il common country
Col. Riley spoke briefly and to the point
His dashing words were like one of hi
cavalry charges during the war The sen
its dead, and let us join hands North anC
South East and West for the noble vic
tories of peace He pledged the Soutl
to touch elbow with the North in case o
any call to arms in the future.
When Gen. Thomas was introduced
there was a prolonged shout from the vas
audience, for his reputation here in TIN
valley is about as high as among the ole
hills of Vermont Gen. Thomas spok
substantially AS follows:
Gen. Thomas's Speech.
am rejoiced to meet you, the sons AM
daughters of Virginia, thus in peace anC
indeed feel that it is good for me to b.
here, where the star spangled banner il
now cherished and honored. | am a
home under its folds, and rejoice tina
we have "a united country with one consti
tuition as well rs but one flag and that W,
Vermonters and Virginians now hav
but one purpose, and that is to do all tina
we can to build up our country to make i
what our fathers desired it should be, anC
elevate and improve the condition of al
our people in all of our States-remember
ing that we are brothers and belong t,
the great brotherhood of mankind. | an
glad that the blue and the gray now NEE
as friends. We have come from amongs
the Green mountains of Vermont, anC
have brought our wives and children, i
possible, to renew and cement the frater
nal feeling of the people of our States
During the war found the women of tn,
South were unlike the women of tn,
North in this that they were more read,
to give up their sons, brothers, husbands
fathers and lovers buckle on their armo
and tell them go forth and fight brave
ly, while many Northern ,womel
would beg of their kindred
and friends not to go. did not like tn
spirit of the Southern women then, but
am now inclined to believe they were no
hypocritical and that they did not meal