The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-09
THE OLD VETS MEET.
An Interesting Gathering of william
Watts Camp Inst Night.

William Watts Camp. Confederate
Veterans. met last night in the rooms
OF the Real Estate Exchange. Col. S.. s..
Brooke, tho commander, presided, and
Adjutant Pitzer acted as secretary A
larger number of the Old Vets than
usual were out, tho cool nights of Sep
tember seeming to have an invigorating
influence to bring out a better atten-
dance.
The adjutant called the entire roll,
which had just been completed. 1t con-
tainS tho names of large number of
the prominent cltizens Of the city, in all
nearly 200.
Colonel Brooke read letter from Rev.
Peter Tinsley, of Cincinnati, Ohio,
thanking them for electing him mem.
Der of the camp, and saying he hoped to
be with them soon. Rev. Mr.. Tnsley
was formerly chaplain of the old Twen-
ty.eighth Virginia Regiment.
Colonel Brooke stated that he regretted
the bylaws had not yet been printed, but
he hoped to have them on hand by next
meeting night. He urged all officers to
attend the meetings and to be punctual
in their duties. He had received the
charter from the Grand Camp of Vir-
jurisdiction of that organization.
Colonel Lewis stated that he had a
letter from Major Randolph, saying
this camp was now entitled to repre-
sentative to the Confederate Soldiers
Homo Association at Richmond. The
colonel paid the fee of this camp while
no was at Fredericksburg and did not
report tho fact till last night. He had
also given 500 TO the home.
The unanimous thanks of the camp
were rendered Col. Lewis for his gen
crosby. The Quartcrmastcr was instruc-
ted to return the fee.
On motion it was ordered that the
adjutant forward all donations the mem.
bers might make to this worthy cause
to Leo Camp at Richmond.
Col. John Il. Penn related story
which was recalled to him by Mai.
Filter skipping two pages of the roll.
1t was like good Baptist brother who
read the Bible to his children every
night. lie began at Genesis and got
over to where Noah figured. Two Of
the mischievous boys pasted two pages
together with mucilage. lie read to
the bottom OF the page one night and
learned that Noah married wife when
he was 100 years old. Turning over he
was astonished to find that this ancient
woman was 100 cubits long and GO cubits
vide and pitched within and without
with pitch.
The application was great hit. The
major had just missed calling dozen
names by two pages being stuck to-
gether.
Colonel Penn next made a sketch
which he had written entitled, The
Last of the War in Virginia." relating
to the large number of deserters which
had congregated in Patrick county Just
before the surrender. This paper was
valuable war "Reminiscences, and was
listened to with profound interest. 1t
contained an elaborate account of the
desperate Scott, and how his band was
finally captured and some of them SEN
fenced to be shot and others whipped.
This happened just after Lees sur
render.
vote of thanks was rendered Colonel
Penn for the valuable article.
DR.. c. L. James was called for, and
related an account of the closing scenes
just before AppomattoX and how he es.
capped from Lees army without surren-
dering. His talk gave an accurate pic
ture Of the scenes and trying incidents
Of those times. After all these, he
thanked God that the curse of slavery
was gone from the South and that it had
failed to gain its independence. He was
glad of the great American Union, not
outstanding the great love he bore for
the Lost Cause"
Comrade Turner called the attention
of the camp to the illness of Comrade
Airheart, and asked all the members to
call around and pay him visit.
Col. Brooke, the commander, related
~ <1f+ 81. IL 49,. i
the capture of his company, and how he
and 4 few other comrades made their
escape from Appomattox through Scots
vile, and returned home. Col. Brooke's
address was received with marked in
terest and added valuable page to his
tory.
Col. Lewis presented the names OF E.
G. Richardson and Silas Eddy, of Trout
vile, both members Of the old 2Sth
Virginia regiment, and they were duly
recorded on the roll. The camp then
o6iOurOo6