Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-10-14
THE LADIES' LEVEE.
BOSTON VETERANS MEET MRS. LEE
AND MISS DAVIS AT SOLDIERS HOME.
Speeches from Governor Lee and Messrs.
Pierce and Patch-Incidents Of a
Happy Day, &c.

ipgs, and n free talk with the "old yets,'
gives one higher sense than ever OF the
vslne and importance OF this noble charity.
The five cottages, main building, and
dormitories over the mess-hall viii accom-
modate rs men. of whom liz are now on
the rolls. The beautiful grounds (susccpti-
bic Of being greatly improved as the means
are at hand, but even now very beautiful),
the neatly furnished and cleanly kept
rooms, the library, outbuildings. &c, all
speak Of wise management, and are The
prophecy that our Soldiers Home is TO be
the pride OF the city as the years go on,
while the cheerful, coutented, happy In
mates are enthusiastic in their praise Of the
management and tender care OF General
and Mrs. Terry.
ARTILLERY SALUTE.
About 10 o'clock the visitors and COM
mittees OF their entertainers begun TO ar
rive on the grounds, and were greeted with
a salute fired under the direction OF Major
r. A. Brander.
GOVERNOR LEE, MRS. LEE, AND MISS DAVIS.
Soon after Governor Lee, accompanied
by Mrs. Lee and Miss Winnie Davis, drove
on the grounds, and an informal reception
was held, during which the Governor told
some Of his best camp jokes, which excited
great meTriment, and the ladies and gentle.
men OF The visitors were introduced 10 him
and to Mrs. Lee and Miss Davis.
VETERANS IN LINE.
A procession was then formed near the
gate and marched up TO the main building.
where the veterans Of the Home some on
cTutches, some with empty sleeve, nearly
all OF them maimed-were drawn up in
line 10 receive them.
GOVERNOR LEE INTRODUCED.
Mr.. Norman V. Randolph introduced
Governor Lee 10 the visitors very appro-
rriately by saying that they were doubtless
familiar with his career as soldier and
with his civic virtues, and with the fact
that he has been since the war seeking to
promote kindly feelings between the sec-
tiOns, and made at Bunker Hill one Of the
first pleas for returning goodwill and fel.
low ship between "thc Blue" and "the
Gray"
He introduced him not only as Governor
Of the Commonwealth, but as president OF
the Board OF Managers OF Lee-Camp Home.
GOVERNOR LEES SPEECH.
The Governor made a brief but felcitous
address OF welcome. 1t was with more
than ordinary pleasure that he welcomed
The j. A. Andrew Post, Grand Army Of
The Republic. to Virginia, TO Richmond,
aud TO this Soldiers Home for Confederate
veterans. Those interested do not forget
that in the early struggles for the establish.
mcnt Of this Home the first encouragement,
came from The Grand -Army.Of-lhe-Re -Repub-
lie posts, and the very first one OF these to
send generous contribution was this
very j. \. Andrew Post. Of Boston.
whom we greet aud thank to-day.
or the $4,000 raised for this Home h.
could never forget that 2S.00l had been
contributed by and-Army. .of-the- Repub-
lie posts, under the lead Of our friend,
from Boston. He recalled the pristine
friendship OF Virginia and Massachusetts,,
who stood heart TO heart and shoulder to
shoulder in the great Revolution which
threw OFF the yoke OF British tyranny, and
he remembered with pleasure the fac'
that, though Virginia furnished the
first President Of the United States.
Massachusetts, furnished the second
lie was not there 10 discuss "buricd l..
sues to speak Of the time when different
werep put on the Constitution
by The North and the south, which resulted
in dreadful war. during which men in
gray and men in blue alike won imperish.
able fame. He would the rather speak OF
the necessity 10 the interests OF our COM
mon country-of having fraternity and
goodwill between the soldiers and people
Of the North and the soldiers and people OF
the South. TIE scene before him Of this fra.
ternal mingling OF the Blue and the Gray
touched bis heart, and he would gladly
welcome within our gates these veterans
from Boston, and assure them that our pro.
pie welcome them To their homes and
hearts. These old Confederate soldier
will never forget those who in their time OF
need remembered them, and 4. +. Lee
Camp and the veterans OF the Home will
bold in lasting TemcmbrancC-will cherish
in their hearts Of hearts-J. \. Andrew
Post Of Boston.
THREE CHEERS FOR FITz.
The Governor was frequently applauded
during the delivery Of his speech, and at
Is close one Of the visitors proposed "Threc
cheers for the Governor which were
given with will, the "Confcderate yell "
Df the gray people minglIng pleasantly with
The I" Hip, bip hurrah!" Of the men in
blue.
COMMANDER PIERCE.
This gentleman responded for j. 4. An.
drew Post in a few earnest and graceful
words He said that his boys bad come
down 10 see this beautiful land and to
visit and shake hands with 'the boys in |
ray" They had met a hearty reception |
rad bad royal, good time-and were glad |
hey came, and especially glad to visit this |
beautiful Home. and to receive these warm |
words Of greeting from the Governor OF |
bis good old Commonwealth, and This |
Icarty welcome from these gathered Con-
ederate soldiers, To respond for Mas,a-
,huSetts be would call on
'AsT. T.GRAND. COMMANDER GEORGE II. PATCH
Commander Patch, who, by the way, /,
8 'quill-driver." connected with the Boston
IiObe. is a graceful and eloquent speaker,
nd made Il very happy response. tie said
hat Massachusetts could not boast OF such
,eauliu valleys as the magnificent "Valley
4 Virginia" through which they had re-
emily passed; that it had not the large
erritory Of Virginia. and could not match
ler in some other respects. Yet he could
,oast OF the patriotism Of her people, and
hat her soldiers were az brave aud
& patriotic as these brave men before
lin Hooking at the veterans OF the Homel.
They had come TO visit and TO know these
rave veterans. II was a visit Of MasSachu-
etts soldiers 10 Virginia Coniederlies who
Who had faithfully served their State in
the times that tried mems souls"
nd had dignified and glorifed the state
n defending thelr flag; but he thanked
iod that those days Of strife are over.
nd that we now have one flag and one
Ountry, which we will make more glO-
ious in the years TO come than in all OF our
rand historic past. lie reioiced that men
iho wore the blue and men who wore the
ray can now all work together for the glory
the American flag and the common bro.
herh0Od OF man.
Commander Patch was loudly applauded.
SOCIAL.
Mr.. Norman Randolph then came for
Iard and said that there would now be- n
eason Of mingliDg together on the part OF
lcse veterans. There were here, he said
1me Of the men who charged the height.
I Gettysburg, and some OF those who
barged the heights Of fredericksburg
zen who had stood against each other on
ANY a hostile fiCld-but who would now
,teem II a privilege TO mingle together In
Iutual respt ct and fraternal intercourse.
The visitors were then escorted through
le buildings, refreshments were served
zen, and there was an hour of delightful
,ciai converse.
THE LEvEE.
Mrs. Lee and Miss Winnie Davis hsd a
instant leCee and ovation, and all OF the