Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-31

Confederate Soidiers Cnristmhs Dtnnofs
KEswIcE. Va.
To ne Editor ofase Dispatch:
In reply to the question Of xxx" in
the DIsPArcH / send the following taken
from McCabe's Life of General Lee:
During the winter IS55) the citizens OF
Richmond and Petersburg prepared TO
gives Lees army New Years dinner.
Contributions were literally made, but
owing to the unfortunate manner In which
the Distribution of the provisions was
conducted the good intentions OF the
citizens were practically defeated.
THE following letter humorously de-
scribes the disappointment OF the army;
"' presume thousands of the rebels like
myself expected q really good treat to the
amer man and plenty OF 1t, baslng their
tlons in Richmond, the great number OF
Confederate dollars distributed by worthy
and patriotic citizens. The glaring articles
in the newspapers, and the names OF gen.
tlemen who composed the committee cat
isfied ali of them that it would be good
thing; and laporing under these impress
sions we prepared accordingly. setting our
incisors. The quartermaster and the COM
missary were to have nothing to DO with
the sumptuous repast, nor were tney Ia.
yited to partake. Well. on Monday night
notice was received at regiment headquar-
tiers to send detail of men with an Of
ficer to brigade headquarters to receive
our quota. None of the committee have
as vet made their appearance. They soon
returned with two barrels holding our DIM
ner. The contents were soon made visible
by knocking in the heads. ! will give you
a list of the contents for the entire regi-
ment, numbering 260 men and ofncerss;
Thirty-two ordinary-sized loaves OF bread.
two turkeys, one of them very diminutive
specimen of that species OF fowl (somee
swore that it was a chicken), a quarter or
lamb. and horse-bucket full OF apple
butter. Well. of course this immense
weight of proyender had to be divided out
among the various companies. After our
company had received its due proportion
the whole lot was, by unanimous consent
of the company Numbering, thrty mem.
condensed into six parts, and by species
of lottery, all thirty participating. the. six
piles" fell to six men 30 twenty-fouI
received nothing and sir ell. was one of
the successful six SO
ended our New-Year's dinner. No blame
is attached 10 any one. The undertaking
was too great an ole; 50 say All the
troops.V y. W. T.
DINNER FOB wIcKHAM's BRIGADE IN JAM
uARY. 1865.
A writer in the DISPATCH few days
since, in giving some war "reminiscences,
recalls with great pride and pleasure the
recollection of dinner given, as he says.
Tin January, 1885, to the whole OF Lees
army.n The writer recalls the feeling OF
regret and indignation that existed IN
Albemarle county when the fact was
disclosed that Wickaams old brigade
then commanded by Colonel Munford).
stationed at Orange Courthouse, had been
entirely forgotten IN the distribution OF
the dinner. The writer having large
number of friends and relatives in this
brigade and hearing through them OF their
modification and disappointment at beng
ignored assured them that they should
be repaid tenfold for this neglect. Abe
marie had large number of men IN this
brigade, and as soon as the fact became
known that q dinner was desired for
n provisions of every description poured
in from all parts of the county. Young
soldier from Berkeley county, named Zed.
to go to Albemarle. take charge OF the
provisions. charter q car, and deliver them
at Orange Courthouse. The writer Was
told afterwards by some OF : the bows
that when the barrels OF turkeys, chickens.
hams, pies, cold slaw, pickles, &C.. were
rolled out of the car that tears rolled
down their cheeks, and Confederate yell
went forth long and loud. Judge Ben.
Lacy will recall this dinner. as he was ap-
pointed the committee Of one TO address
letter of thanks to the writer. as the re-
presen tative of the Albemarle ladies. who
had so generously contributed to the din
uer.