Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-05-04


afternoon.
REUNION AND BANQUET.-Thirty-
two wears ago last night, at their States
call. the Alexandria Artillery, Kemp
crs Battery, left this city for Manassas
10 become q part Of the army Of the
Confederate States then being concen-
trated at that point. The presence in
the CITY of their gallant old commander,
Col. Delaware kemper, suggested to
the survivors of the battery reunion
Of the ''old boys" that they might once
more meet and talk Of the incidents
connected with their camp lives and at
the same time testify the respect and
affection that only soldiers know how
10 show man who has led them on the
battle field and in whose valor and
consideration they have always the ut
most confidence. The suggestion was
happy one and right royalty was it
put into execution, for more joyous re-
union and happier banquet was sell
dom celebrated than that ofIast night at
the OperaHouse restaurant. The ''survi
yorsa met at the Friendship Engine
House at s o'clock, and in body
marched to the banquet hall where
mine host Brill had prepared feast fit
for cpicures and which called forth
many comparisons with the tables then
spread before them with the bill of fare
OF war times. The tables were prettily
decorated and suspended from the
chandeliers above were the Confederate
battle flags under which those present
had fought so long and so CALAMITY, en-
twined with the stars and stripes. Con-
spicuously displayed was SIX pound
cannon ball, one which had been used
by the battery at Vienna when
Schcnck' 5 troops, who were proceeding
on a train up the Loudoun and Hamp-
shire railroad, were routed and turned
back towards this city, and which was
picked up on that battle field twenty
seven wears after the war. At the ban
quet hall Col. kemper and sew
eral invited guest were met by
the soldiers and warmly welcomed.
Then the tables were attacked most
vigorously but the supply ofammunition
seemed unfailing and after the wants of
the inner man had been supplied City
Collector German, in Il most appropri-
ate manner stated the object of the re-
union and III very amusing way
related many war "reminiscences con-
nectcd with the members Of the battery.
He spoke of the bravery and gallantry
of Capt. kemper and Of the confidence
his men reposed in him and how prompt
they were to discharge every duty as
signed them Col. kemper responded
most feelingly and most happily, saying
noman ever commanded q more gallant
company than did he,and assured them
ofthe perfect confidence he always felt
In his men when they were called into
action. He expressed the deepest graf
itude he felt for this token of apprecia-
ton his old soldiers had shown him
and assured them that he would re-
member the evening as ono of the pleas
ATTEST of his life and hoped to meet all
those present at many, many such re-
unions. Col. Kemper spoke of how
quickly the Alexandria boys learned
the use of their guns and Of what eX-
eellent service was done by the battery
whenever 1t went INTO fight. This
battery, it was stated, during the even
ing, was the first to fire cannon ball
during the war-at Bull Run on July
IS, 81, and the last to cease firing at
the battle of Manassas. Ia that battle
Gunner Richard Owens was killed.
Major Dufey was then called on and
gave a brief and entertaining history of
the artillery service during the war and
ofhow gaIlantly the Alexandria boys acr
quilted themselves during the struggle.
4 general narration ofwar incidents was
then INDUCED in and various good sto-
res wore told by several present, among
them Mcssrs. G.. II. Harlow, Ohas. kel-
ly, Oscar Tnbman, ?. 7. German, w. ].
summers and others. One Of the most
amusing stories told during the evening
waS that by Mr., German, who described
a "cussing" match which took place
between Gunner browns and General
Jubal Early, the gunner, of course, be-
ing ignorant at the time Of whom he .g
"Gussing.n
sergeant Summers then called the
roll Of the old company, which showed
that OF % men, who at one time were
members, more than two-thirds Of them
had Joined the great majority,
iurlng The evening Col. Kemper ex-
hlbitcd a little brass cannon which his
aon now youth living in Bristol, had
recently made, which show"S,, the mill
iary genius the son had inherited from
bis father.
Il was nearly midnight when the
company dispersed and each one pre-
@4' oppressed himself as being more
'Aan pleased with the reunion.
FERsoNAL,-Among the young lady
grainlteS of tho Gnonner;an RncinaSS