Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-19
OLD FIRST REUNION.
A THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE DAY At
BLENNeR'S PARK.
Music, Dancing. Recitstions' ana 0osd
Dinner-Lester from Colonel
Skinner.

Tho "Oldv First Virginia regiment had
a glorious time yesterday at Blenners
Park. 1t was the tbirtieth anniversary OF
the preliminary fight at Bull Run. which
occurred three days before the decisive
battle of First Manassas. 1t was then that
the First received its baptism OF FIRE."
and since the close Of hostilities the vete-
rams have always observed the day.
Owing to the good fortune OF the re-
union being at the park the frequent rains
did not at ali affect the days pleasure, the
ample pavilion afording shelter for al.
The showers did to slight extent inter-
rupt several games of quoits. Butfor THIS
one exception the First stood water yes;
terdav as well as it did fire in the days OF
old.
Tho Committee on Arrangements saw 10
the comfort, inward and outward, OF Oil.
and discharged their duty admirably. Iney
were Comrades j. 4. Phillips, a. Jen.
VAUGHAN. John A. Meanley. Henry w. Fur
cror, and james T.. Vaughan,
The veteran" Walker wilson acted as
caterer. and was ably assisted by Henry
Bouldin and several other old-tme COOKS
THE LUNCHEON AND DINNER.
Al noon a luncheon of fried liver and
onions with other accessories, was served,
ard at 4 o'clock dinner was spread. Among
the strong points OF the latter was an I'M.
mepse pot OF Brunswick. stew ana iried
chicken Ia Virginia, washed down WIN
cold buttormilk and IN some instances
stronger connections.
DANCING.
After dinner the musicians arrived ana
went to work. Virginia breakdowns; reefs,
and iigs were executed with agility by the
vateyans 70 the danger of forfeiting their
title TO "old." Peter Burton was master
of this part of the ceremonies, ana was
ABLY assisted by Comrades Knowles, wing
field, and Others. ,s
Dapclng over, Mr.. Burton introduced
Colonel John n. movies. who admirably
recited Poes Raven" o medley.
Mr. Burton then sang as only he can
"Aujd Lang Syne," the band meanwhile
assisting him by vociferously playing
The fun continued until dark. when the
veterans returned home, having spent
most enjoyable day.
Among those present were: Company a,
CAPTAIN James +. Phillips and Miles L.
Phillips; Company b. LIeutenant Logan
s. Robins Company G, Thomas Carr and
John Finnerty: Company ID. Colonel Will
liam Fl. Palmer. Captain f. 2. Reeve. Ser
geant c. Z. Loehr, Corporal n. W: Fur
cron. Theodore j. Robinson l.. X. Wing
field. Lieutenant L. 81 Blanton, Thomas
w. Traylor. Captain James h. Angle Com
many CT. Captain Eldridge Morris, Henry
Furgusson, A. jefferson Vaughan, Lieu
tenant w. I. Woody, JamesT. Via, George
W. Allen, John Allen, Henry Ashby, Colo
mel f. II. Langley; Company Lieutenant
James L. Vaughan. John A. Meaniy, >. >:
Sinnott, James A. Gentry, Lieutenant
Ellis w. Martin, NJ. Claggett; Company ].
Captain Benjamin f. Howard. @. G. Tins
lev. X. +. Heb.ing, Drum-Naior Z. IL. NJ.
Poble. James Netherwood, Charlie Il. Cline
lv. John II. Knowles, X. A. +. Dabney. +.
ID. Hill. Peter j. Burton, James I. Gray.
Charles Halsey. Il. b. Munford,. Ed. Cum
mings. W. 5. Gum, and w. G. Adams.
The following letter was read from Col
onel Fred. G.. Skinner. the gallant ex-com-
mander of the regiment, who was shot
down at the enemy's guns at second Ma
nassas:
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. July II, 1891.
Ny Dear Comrade Loeir:
Your kind note followed me from Lex
inoton to this place. but did not reach me
in time for an earlier answer. | need not
tell you how gratitied | am at being SO
affectionately remembered by my surviving
comrades of the dear old First. But. alas! !
nv dear fellow. what with double attack
of tho grip and tho weight of seventy
eight years on my head, find it impossible
10 join you on the anniversary or tho ever
glorious 18th, victory which we OF the
old First and the Seventeenth may exclu-
sively claim rs our own.
While the battle was not remarkable for
thenumber of killed and wounded, its moral
effect probably was as great as that OF any
engagement during the entire war. u was
that first baptism of fire which welded us
all together az band of brothers, and in
fused the whole southern army with that
confidence and courage which lead to the
glorious victory of the 2lst at First Ma
nassas. Ever faithfully yours,
f. G.. SKINNER.
At the close Of the reading three cheers
were given for the old hero, and all joined
in singing
Snow wartime slices we're quite thin
At breakfast or at dinner;
But when 1t came the blue meat TO skin
We had the champion skinner"