Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-16


OF TIE TRIP.
One of the wards in the hospital attached to
the Confederate Soldiers Home at Richmond
has been neatly fitted up and serves a me-
mortal Of the fraternal feeling manifested be-
tween the soldiers who wore the gray and those
who wore the blue at the time of the recent
Grand Army encampment. This ward was the
occasion Yesterday Of q sentimental journey
from Washing ton to Richmond. undertaken by
a number of weII-knovn citizens. They ex-
perienced in Richmond in full measure the
hospitality for which Virginia is famous the
world over
The gentlemen who went to Richmond were
the members of the committee appointed by
MIR. John Joy Edison, chairman OF the citizens
Grand Army encampment committee, to make
suitable acknowledgement to Lee Camp, Con-
federate Veterans Association. for the cour-
tesies extended by confederate veterans to
Grand Army men who visited Richmond and
vicinity at the time of the encampment.
The party that went on the pleasant journey
was composed Of MIR. John Joy Edison. ex-
Commissioner Douglass. Gen. H. V. Boynton,
Gen. Duncan 5. Walker, Corporal James
Tanner. Messrs. Z. II. Warner, Lawrence Gard
ner, Eobt 4. Plrke, z. 3. Hay, Isadore Saks
and Z. V. DeGrsw.
ton we're the guests OF the Pennsylvania Pail
road Company. which furnished a special car,
and, through Mr.. Parke. entertained the travel
ers in handsome style. The start was made
from Washington a little before noon. The
train was delayed. SO it was nearly 5 o'clock
when the committee ali2hted in the station at
Richmond.
They feN at once into the hospitabe hands of
a committee who just took charge of them and
relieved them of all care from that moment.
This committee was composed o. ]. Taylor
Anderson. mayor of Richmond: Col. Alex. W.
Arche-. pas. commander of L. E. Lee Camp
Confederate Veterans: Lieut. Col. A. L. Phil
lbs. Commander James Pollard of L. Z. Lee
Camp. Col. John Murphy. Capt. Frank Cum
ningham. Mr.. y. Y. Randolph. president of the
Confederate Soldiers Home board: Capt. E. P.
Reeve. Mr.. ]. Cans. NJ Jas. T. Ferriter and
Mr.. Robt. Mcintyre of Petersburg, represent
ing Geo. II. Thomas Post, G.. A. r.
A line of carriages conveyed the visitors and
their hosts to Murphy's Hotel, where a COLA
ton was served. Carriages were then taken
again and after a rapid drive to points Of in
terest about the city the party was taken to the
Confederate Soldiers Home.
AT THE CONFEDERATE HOME.
The buildings of the home form picturesque
group attractive!y located in ample grounds
about a mile ont of town. This was the scene
Of the ceremony for which the journey to Rich
mond undertaken. The visitors received
the heartiest welcome from Major Charles P.
Bigger. the commandant at the home. and the
gary-hesded and gray-coated old soldier.
First they were shown to room where
we're displayed large collection of war
relics. including Gen. Rober: E. Lee 8
military saddle and Gen. .'Stonewall' jack
sons war horse, "Old Sorrel." with all his
t-a"psrgs on. The war horse is in big glass
case. He has been stuifed and mounted by a
taxiGersnist III a most lfe-like manner. "Old
SOrrel' spent his last days in life at the SOL
diers' home, and when he died his image was
reverently preserved. Conspicuous among the
modern articles displayed about the Museum
are scores OF badges Of Grand Army posts left
as souvenirs by visitors from the north.
The visitors were ushered next into the large
assembly hail of the home. where were assem-
bled the inmates OF the institution to the num-
ber of 40. Many we're crippled and many
we're extremely decredit. They wore the gray
uniform of the home. and on the bosom of the
biouses of some were displayed medals won in
service or badges Of membership in the Con-
federate Veterans Association.
When the Washington committee had been
shown to seats fronting the aSsemblage several
young ladies appeared with flowers and pinned
a rose boutonniere upon the coat of each. Mr.
Randolph then without ceremony introduced
Dir. Edison.
MR.. EDsoS's PRESENTATION SPEECH.
Mr.. Edison made speech explaining the OBJ
ject OF the expedition from Washington. He
said:
'Our visit to Richmond and to Robert E.
Lee Camp Of Confederate Soldiers has been
contemplated for some time as being a very
proper duty on our part and a great pleasure
TO perform.
Upon invitation of the people Of the
national CAPITAL the Grand Army of the RepuD-
lie held their twenty-sixth national encampme Mt
in Washington in September. 1892. 1t was,
IL = 4 4
that has taken place In modern times. The
veterans of the looked forward and ex-
pected great pleasure in revisiting the scenes
Of the war. the camping grounds, CAM
paigns and battle fields. From the uni
yersal report from the visitors to the capital
on that occasion, both the members of the
G.. A. f., their relatives and citizens 1t was to
them in all respects an enjoyable reunion.
But there was 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 today. We refer to the many
acts of courtesy, attention and comfort ex-
tended by the veteran soldiers OF the cOnfed-
eracy to the G. ~ Il. revisiting Virginia and
MARYLAND. The earnestness and cordiality
manifested toward the veterans Of the
Union army made an unusual and
a most favorable and significant impression
, The good reports that came from Rich
mond, led Us to the determination that the citi-
zens' executive committee having in charge
tue reception and entertainment Of the G. A.
r. on behalf OF the citizens OF Washington
would indicate their acknowledgment, high
appreciation and gratitude by q visit to the
Robert Z. Lee Camp for the purpose of pre-
senting a suitable testimonial After some in
qui-y and consideration it seemed most appro-
PIRATE and desirable that We should fit up in a
proper manner a ward in tie Confederate Sol
diers' Home, provided for disabled veterans.
Nothing else we could find could express our
feelings and good will more appropriately.
While civil wars are the mos. cruel. involving
the wounds are deerer the bitterness more in
tense. slower 10 heal and longer remembered,
vet we fee We are well advanced into tine time
or have fully reached the era when real recon-
citation sholld be complete and final; that we
should be one people. single IN purpose. with
cur faces turned solely to the future, aiming
for and securing the highest degree of peace.
| prosperity and happiness for all believing in
AID devoted 70 our government as the greatest
republic upon the earth and as beStowlng the
greatest blessings upon the people.
I'm no country does there exist SO great in
dividnal liberty: 30 much universal prosperity
and progress; so many happy homes; so Little
want as an our native land. We need only to
visit other countries TO appreciate wha. we
enJSy- Instead OF railroads and other lines OF
transit running almost exclusively cast and
west thirty yea-s ago. there are now operating
and are rapidly being constructed lines OF
travel and trAtlc running north and south,
thus bringing ali the people Of this nation,
north, south, east and west. closer together in
social and business intercourse, wonderfully
L.. n