The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-16
CAME TO RECIPROCATE.
WARRINGTON MEN WE'LL EyTER-
Tanned BIZ VETERANS HERE.
Soldiers cfths Union Army Made Formal
Presentation Of Gift at the soldiers
Home-A Banquet at Night.


day.
Encampment. which was held At Wash
ington some months ago. arrived in the
city on the Northern train, which is
due here at 3:05 o'clock over the Atlantic
Coast Line, but which was unfortunately
fully an hour late. That delegation came
10 this city TO formally present. In the
name OF the Grand Army Of the Repub-
lie, the furniture which was donated by
that organization to the hospital but
recently erected at the Soldiers Home.
When the Encampment was held in the
National Capital many of the veterans
OF the Union army visited this city. and
they were greeted with true Virginia hos
pitality by the members OF Lee Camp.
IL Will be remembered that the Rich
mond veterans entertained. as far as
their means would justify. the men OF
the North, night after night and even In
the daytime, at their hall on Broad street.
The veterans OF Lee Camp. not being
called upon by any especial reason TO
make the visit OF the Grand Army Of the
Republic men more pleasant than the
usual courtesies OF life demand. made a
lasting impression on the visiting vete-
rams. and when they returned to their
homes in various parts OF the Union, n
committee OF Washington Grand Army Of
the Republic men were commissioned to
make TO the Confederates here suitable
acknowledgment OF the courtesies.
A consultation took place. and II was
first suggested that Lee Camp hall be
filled with furniture. 1t was found,
upon inquiry. that the hall was wei
filled in that line. A portrait Of General
Lee was next suggested, and the second
Inquiry ascertained the fact that there
were plenty Of portraits Of Lee. Then II
was found that the hospital at the Sol
ders' Home needed furniture. and Major
n. V. Randolph and Mr.. j. Cans were
appointed committee TO purchase the
furniture and send the bills TO the Wash
ington committee This was done, and
the ward has been fitted up in a most
comfortable and splendid manner with
the most modern OF hospital furniture.
Already Il is occupied by a large NUMBER
OF the veterans at the Home
The committee from Washington came
here yesterday 10 make formal presenta-
tion of the gift TO the Home. They were
as follows:
Chairman John Jay Edison. General II.
V. Bcynton. Corporal Tanner ex-Com-
missioner ]. w. Douglass. General Dun
can S. Walker. Messrs T. H. Warner.
r. d. Hay. r. a Parke. Isadore Saks.
y. V. De Graw and Lawrence Gardner.
They were met at The depot by the fol-
lowing committee: Hon. ]. Taylor Ely
son. Captain f.. =. Reeve. Cololcl John
Murphy, Colonel A. w. Archer, Colonel
4. r. Pollard. General Thomas A. Bran
der. Mr.. James y. Gray. Captain j. w.
White. Mr.. John Meanly, Mr.. n '. Ran
dolph, Mr.. ]. Cans, Mr.. J. w. Thomas,
Colonel A. l.. Phillips and Captain Frank
Cunningham.
AS soon as the committee of residents
t.,f, to heir "a
riages were taken and the party driven
10 Murphys Hotel, where a charming
lunch, rejecting considerable credit, both
on cuisine and service. was served. The
old Virginia julep. which only the zephyrs
and budding of grass made possible, was
present. and was happily enjoyed as an
appetizer.
After the lunch, which had been so
temptingiy served and which had been
so greatly enjoyed. had been finished the
party again returned TO their carriages.
and were driven rapidly eastward TO
the principal points of interest They
were then driven up Main. and the Lee
statue was finally much admired by them.
The Soldiers Home was reached In due
time. and there the veterans were greeted
and Hospitality received by the very popu-
lar and efficient superintendent. Major
Charles i. Bigger. The visitors were
shown through the rooms. and were next
assembled in the mess hall, where the
veterans of the Home had gathered.
Major Randolph, president or the board
OF visitors of the Home. called the as
sembiage. which filled the entire room, TO
order. and introduced Mr.. John Jay Edison
as chairman of the committee. He spoke
I'm substance as follows:
our visit 10 Richmond and to Robert
H. Lee Camp of Confederate Soldiers
has been contemplated for some time
d. N IN n p
ind a great pleasure 10 perform
Uion an invitation of the people OF the
National Capital, the Grand Army of the
Republic held their twenty sixth national
eneampment in Washington In September,
1892 II was, without doubt. the largest
assemblage of people that has
taken place in modern times. The Vet
Grams OF the war looked forward ana
expected great pleasure in revisting the
scenes of the war. the camping grounds.
campaigns and battle-helds. From uni
versal report from the visitors to the
capital on that occasion. both the MEM
bers Of the @. A. r.. their relatives and
citizens, II was 10 them In all respects
an enjoyable reunion. But there was one
feature of all that transpired that was
unsurpassed in interest by any other.
out OF which has grown this visit OF
pleasure and duty here to-day. We refer
10 the many acts of courtesy, attention
and comfort extended by the Veteran
soldiers OF the Confederacy 10 the G.. A.
II. revisiting Virginia and Maryland.
The earnestress and cordially manifested
towards the Veterans of the Union
Army made an unusual and a most favor
able and significant impression with all.
The good reports that came from Rich
mond led us TO the determination that
the citizens executive committee. hav-
ing in charge the reception and entertain
ment OF the G.. A. r.. on behalf of the
citizens OF Washington. would indicate
their acknowledgment. high appreciation
and gratitude by a visit to the Robert
r. Lee Camp for the purpose of present
ing suitable testimonial. After some
inquiry and consultation II seemed most
appropriate and desirable that we should
fit up. I'm n proper manner, ward in
the Confederate Soldiers Home. provided
for disabled Veterans Nothing else We
could find could express our feelings and
good will more appropriately. While
civil wars are the most cruel. involving,
as they do. Kindred and friends as antag-
onists. the wounds are deeper. the bitter
ness mere intense. slower 10 heal and
longer remembered, yet we feel we are
we'll advanced into the time. or have
fully reached the era. when real recon-
citation should be complete and final
that We should be one people. single in
purpose, with our faces turned solely 10
the future. aiming for and securing the
highest degree of peace. prosperity and
happiness for all. believing In and devoted
20 our Government as the greatest re-
public upon the earth, and a. bestowing