Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-27
THE VISITING VETS.
TIE GEORGE c. STRONG POST, Q. A. r.
OF BROOKLYN, IN RICHMOND.
Its Reception Here-Parade and Presenta-
tiOn to Governor Lee in the After
noon The Governors Address, &c.


Yesterday morning q reception CON-
mitlee, composed Of members Of Lee
Camp. Phil kearney Post, Grand Army
Of the Republic, and officers Of the First
regiment, with q number Of other citi-
zens. went down the river on the tug
Craighill. and when near Drewry' IS
Bluff met the steamer Old Dominion
with the George c. Strong Post, No. 534,
Grand Army Of the Republic, of Brook
lyn, aboard. The tug greeted the
steamer with a blow OF whistles and
the party yelled and cheered in way
to recall memories Of past days. The
visitors sent back answering huzzss,
the steamer slowed up, and our folks
went aboard her, and soon the Rich
monders and the Brcoklynites we're
shaking hands. 1t did not take long to
get acquainted, and the visitors refresh
cd the committee with some liquids.
When this city was reached lat l0:35)
the party took carriages and buses and
were driven over Libby and Chimbo-
razo hills and the lower part Of the city.
The visitors we're then taken up TO the
St. james Hotel, where they dined.
The following is list Of the party:
Charles q. Curtis, commander; X. y. Kee-
Ter. quarteTmaster: John j. ArnauC. chap
lain w. III. Harlow. surgeon; George W.
Fagars. officer OF the guard; a. Fairnurst
color. sergeant: Bessrs. Daniel w. Wilson;
CT. Ebehurst; M. d.. Samuel A. Davis, r.
W Lewis, william Bort hman. C. W. Cow
tan, ID. r. Christie, J. l.. Shirley, E +. Ma
son, T. Collins, John \. Skillman; Rudolph
Nuke. VI. D.; samuel Cohen. L. Q. Millard,
r. y. Nelson, William X. hcGulre. Henry
Miller, Thomas l.. Graham. II. r., Brewer,
w 3 Settle. John Rice, Dr. j. q. L.. Gaidike.
Prank n. Bill, Samuel Lawson, l.. Pinto.
John BObony. {. 1. Abbot, q. w. Chandler.
y. Z. Curtis, John j. Grace. John j. byrnes'
John Connor, Edward O'Brien, John y.
Gunder. Alonzo Garrison, Major Jacob Roe
mtr, e. r. Garrison. W. q. spalding. George
l.. Spaldlug, Charles Ssrvois. Martin j.
Reese, owen O'ROuke, John A. Fox. j. II.
Ward Edward 6ibb, Thomas A. SllcOck,
Alfred Birchett, Alfred Birchett, Jr.
VISIT TO SOLDIERS HOME.
After dinner the party again entered
conyeyances, and, accompanied by men,
bers Of Lee Camp and Phil Kearney
Post, drove out TO the Confederate SOL
diers' Home. There's collation. was
served, which was heartily enjoyed.
THE PARADE.
On their return 10 the St. James Hotel
they found awaiting them Companies E
and A, Of the First Virginia regiment,
Lee Camp, Lee Camp Drum Corps, and
Phil Kearney Post to act as escort in
the parade. A procession was formed.
and the line of march was taken up Main
street. After paradiDg awhile the
Governors Mansion was made the OBJ
iective point, wh.re they arrived about
G:3Q o'clock, On their arrival Cover
nor Lee, around whom clustered several
ladies, was found standing on his front
porch, waiting to meet them.
George C. Strong Post was marched
TO the front, while Phil Kearney Post
and Lee Camp fell in their rear, Com
panies E and A hanking them.
Colonel John B. Purcell came for
ward, and, in few words, introduced
the Governor to the troops before him.
GOVERNOR LEE.
The Governor came forward and
said;
Members OF G.. c. StOng and Phil
Kearney Posts and Lee Camp,-Yoar
presence here this afternoon marks all
important epoch in the history of the
republic. Now marching beneath the
same banner, | can say this is indeed
the era Of reconciliation. You
men see before me composed
the artillery, and the cavalry, and
the infantry Of opposing armies at a
time when brave men sank down to
rise no more but now the bright orb
Of peace hangs over us, and there is no
speck Of strife in the horizon on this
lovely afternoon. You gentlemen have
q great bridge spanning the river near
your city connecting it with the great
metropolis, but the bridge built from
the North to the South by such q re-
union as this is stronger and grander
and nobler than that. Applause !
did not know the commander Of your
Post, but knew Phil Kearney, and
when | met him in New York | asked
him where he was going. lie told me
be was going to Washington TO enlist
to fight for the Government. | was
going to Washington to resign my COM
mission in the United States army that
] might return to Virginia to cast my
lot with the South.
Governor Lee then detailed his travel
with Kesrney to Washington, and re-
lated several amusing incidents con-
nected with it.
Continuing, he said Afterwards that
gallant soldier fell at Second Manassas.
have often thought if kearney had
lived he would have written his name
on the page Of fame. | thank you,
gentlemen, for this manifestation here,
and welcome you TO old Virginia and
to her capital city. | trust your visit
here may be pleasant one, and that you
may return safely to your homes"
lApplause.l
The Governor was frequently and
enthusiastically cbeered during his ad-
dress, which he delivered in clear and
distinct tones.
AS the speaker retired Commander
W. G.. Curtis came forward and SAID
Governor Lee, on behalf Of G. G.
Strong Post thank you for the well
come YOU have given US. IApplause.l
The visitors were then invited into the
Mansion, and all who desired were in
tIoduced TO his Excellency.
The line was sgaln formed, and, after
passing IN review before the Governor,
marched 10 the Regimental Armory,
where a nicely-prepared luncheon had
been set. When the guests had aall
psrtaken heartily, Mr.. g. A. Bohan-
non, on the part of Lee Camp, made 90
sddress Of welcome to the visitors.
Major Cowtsn responded on behalf OF
the visitors in few pleasing remarks.
A DIsGRACEFUL ACT.
Colonel Thomas j. Evans then rose
10 speak, and while he was discoursing
in his usual humorous vein, the lights
in the Armory were suddenly ex-
tipguished and the entire party'left al
most in darkness. This seems to have
been the result OF a misunderstood or
der, or blander on the part Of some-