Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-28
OLD SOLDIERS MEET.
ANNUAL REUNION or THE SOCIETY
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA..
Resolutions OF Respect TO Generals Leo
and Lons-rhe Question OF Meeting In
Other cities Discussed.

OF Northern Virginia was held last night
In the hall OF the House of Delegates
Among the distinguished ex-Confede-
rates present were Generals Jubal A.
Early, William b. Taliaferro. Thomas
L. Rosser. y. G. Hill. James @. Fields,
and Dabney II. Marry, Governor Nc
Kinney. Mayor Ellyson. Hon. j. l.. Nj.
Curry. Colonies W. f. Cutshaw, +. @.
Rufin, 4. 2. Reeve, J. b. Purcell.
Snowden II. Andrews. Majors Brander.
Lacy, and others.
In calling tho meeting to order She
president General William II. Payne,
said he was afraid il was bis fault that
for the first time in the history OF the
association there was no regular orator.
He commented upon the fact that inter
est in the association appeared to be
upon the wane, and expressed the hope
that some steps would be taken to bring
about renewal OF interest in IL.
RESPECT TO GENERAL LIE.
Hon. George L. Christian offered a
resolution for the appointment OF q
committee TO prepare suitable resolu-
tons upon the death of General w. II.
+. Lee, an ex-president of the society.
This was done and tho Chair named
Hon. George l.. Christian, Generals ".
r. Taiiaferro and Dabney II. Mauray.
The committee performed its duty. and
in short while through Judge Chris
tain reported beautiful tribute to the
illustrious dead.
In presenting the resolutions Judge
Christian made brief but feeling
speech.
General Jubal A. Early took the
floor aud in less than a score OF words
seconded the resolutions.
General W. b. Taliaferro said he had
not known General Lee during the war,
being in another branch Of the service.
Ii was after the cessation OF hostilltles
that he met and learned to love the
man. He was not simply the son OF his
father. but was per Sc great. 1t was IN
private life that he knew him and learn
Cd TO esteem his character.
IL MEMORY OF LONG.
Major Woods next moved the appoint
ment Of a committee to draft resolutions
upon the death of General A. l.. Long.
Before taking his scat the speaker said
il was time that organization for the pur-
pose OF talking only was done away
with, and that some business was trans
acted. Old Confederates needed atten-
ton and care, and if the Legislature uE-
derstood matters larger appropriation
for them would be forthcoming.
The Chair declared the motion carried
without putting the vote, and appointed
Governor Mckinney, General Rosser,
and Colone Purcell the committee.
After the lapse of some minutes the
Chair suggested to the Governor that his
committee retire. His Excellency said
it took time to draft resolutions and re-
NAMED in the room, saying his commit
tee would report later.
SPEECH OF PRIVATE.
General Rosser, referring to the re-
mark OF the Chair in opening the e1er-
cises, suggested that the association
could possibly revive itself by meeting
around in the different cities instead OF
always coming to Richmond
In supporting General Rosser's reso'
luton Mr.. Mcmillan, of Madison, made
the speech of the evening. he was he
said, simply private in the rear rank, q
soldier of Kemper's brigade, Picketts
division, al honor that he would not
exchange for the title OF any general
officer. II was the private soldiers who
helped the generals out. 1t reminded
him OF the old times when he came to
the hall early and saw the old Con
feds come in, first the priyates and the
generals behind. Just like they used to
do. Mr.. Mcmillan concluded in this
strain and was loudly applauded.
SHOULD MEET HERE.
Major j. Horace Lacy, of Spotsylya-
mia, said he WAS sorry to oppose his |
friend who had preceded him, but the |
hall where they were was the proper |
meeting place of the Army of Northern |
Virginia, which would live forever. The |
Major spoke at some length and was |
quite plain in his talk about "bomb-
proofs" and other like subjects.
There is no money or politics IN the |
Association of the Army Of Northern |
Virginia. He was glad that there is one |
place where money WAS not to be made. |
He favored all Confederate camps |
uniting with the Army OF Northern Nlr- |
ginia in forming one grand association.
Hon. George l.. Christian reminded
those present that the association bad IN |
the past held glorious meetings IN Rich
mond, where was sown the seed from
which the other organizations have
sprung. More people would attend the
meetings in Richmond than elsewhere
The subordinate organizations had done
splendid practical work, but they could
not take the place of the Army OF North
ern Virginia. To test the sense Of the
meeting he moved that the organization
OF the society be perpetuatoj, and to
that end that the present officers be con-
tinued for the ensuing year.
now ABOUT MONTICELLO
General Field favored General Ros-
ser's resolution, and thought that Char
lottesville in sight of Monticello was a
splendid place for meeting, but still he
was not sure ii was wise TO change.
Referringto the Worlds Fair, General
Field said he would never disgrace him
self by gong to place where the Con-
federate flag is not allowed. 1t was
strange that the northern people are
nearly frightened out Of their wits ut the
mention Of Confederate flags.
Yirginians, he said, should teach their
children 10 worship at the shrines OF
Lee, jackson, Hill, and Stuart.
There is no loss OF interest in the
association, and never would be rs long
as the deeds OF southern soldiers lived.
He never knew Confederate soldier to
soy he was sorry that he was one or that
be was ashamed of IT. His wife was q
girl when the war was gong on, but she
Thought more of his old uniform than
ell the money in the country. When
women remember there is no danger OF
forgetting.
AFFECTED BY THE FAIR.
General Early thought the small at
tendance was due 10 the fact that since
the Exposition no regular fair had been
held, and no meeting OF the association.
In future with regular fairs the attend