Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-02
GRAND CONFEDERATE REUNION.
MeckIenburg's Gallant Veterans Meet-A
Bountiful Dinner.

Bouutiful Dinner.
Correspondence OF the Dispatch)
CHASE CITY, VA. August A.-There
was a grand Confederate reunion here
yesterday under the auspices of the Gene
raj Armlstead Camp of Confederate Vete-
rams, of Mecklenburg. In arrangement,
enjoyment, enthusiasm, and interesting
exercises II surpassed any previous one
The day was lovely. The place selected
was the extensive lawn OF several acres OK
the Mineral Hotel property, with It's de-
lightful shade-trees. continuous, SOIL, ana
verdant turf, pavilion, seats, and con-
venient water rendered 1t a charming spot
for the occasion.
Early in the day the people commence
to arrive, until the number was estimates
at over 100. At 10 o'clock splendid
brass band, engaged for the day tfoni
Glover. took their seats I'm the music
stand. and enlivened the scene with varied
musical performances. which were greatly
enjoyed during the day.
About midday the old Confederates from
this and the adjoining counties formed IN
! line some distance from the grounds, and
under the command OF Chief-Marshai T..
| B Goode. formerly adjutant of the FIFTY
sixth and Thirty fourth Virginia regl-
ments, amid the roll of drums and martal
music, marched down Main street 10 the
speakers stand, where they were halted.
| and the camp called to order by Com
mander Alexander. An appropriate prayer
was offered by Rev. l.. L. Baptist, a
member of the camp. Then the pro-
gramme of the day was announced:
THE DINNER.
The Marshal called attention and
marched his command to the dinner
| table. This was in the shape OF an ooionS
| square, and in the enclosure were the
provisions and the walters. select COM
| mittee OF ladies and gentlemen acted as
| walters. AS soon as the hundreds or
veterans were in their places then the
| immense crowd was invited to the un-
occupied space around the table. In this
| way the veterans were not crowded ana
| no one could complain OF not having
| good dinner. All the visitors were leu
| and there was enough left TO feed ono
| hundred moro people. No delay, crowd
| ing. or complaint made the dinner-hour
| more pleasant. The dinner consisted OIL
| ham, mutton chickens in all styles. beer.
| shoat, vegetables. pickles, CAKES ana
| bread of all kinds all In abundance.
| There was nothing bought or cooked by
| the Committee OF Arrangements. The
| question naturally arises, How did you
! get such a varied and bountiful dlnnerF
| The plan is simple and entirely practica-
| BILE when the people are III sympathy
| with the reunion. The general committee
met and selected sufficient numoer OF
| ladies and gentlemen OF the dlitsreht uis-
| t,lcts In thu county to sol,cit contriou-
| tions of cooked food in their respective
localities. and directing to whom and
| when 10 deliver their donations. THIS
| list was published in the county papers
| and printed slips of same mailed by tho
| chairman OF the committee 10 every per-
| son on the list and also TO hundreds OF
Others In the county known TO be In sym
Dathy with the cause. thus relying
upon the good and generous people oil
| Mecklenburg 10 furnish the ola soiuiers
some evidence Of their affection and en-
courae.ment. The result WAS the most
gratifying. and every vehicle arriving IN
the morning brought a box or basket OF
| eatables. Then every family of tho town
| contributed its quota The dinner was
| thus given by the people 10 the soldiers.
| and not the reverse. II was the people
antartainment as well as the soldiers and
| why should they not enjoy II together!
| The soldiers were the peoples guests.
rhey dispensed the hospitality; the Con,
| federates' committee only directed anu
| assisted. Others may profit by this plan.
| Il. if not you might fail TO succeed.
SPEECHES.
Aflor the dinner was over the crowd re-
assembled at the. sound of the buSie
| around the stand, and speeches were
made by Judge Charles Alexander. cap
| tain Thomas ID. Jeffries, and Colonel D.
| Thomas Goode, all of Mecklenburs. The
| latter commanded Wlye's Brigade at the
Rattle of the Crater, and he gave graphic
descrlutlon of the awful scenes on thaI
memorable day. The crowd evidently en-
| loved the speeches, which were not over
twenty-five minutes each. and were WITH
| ont prcparatlon, but prompted by the sur
rounding scenes. and struck a responsive .
| chord in the audience. Long ana s'uuieu
| speeches are unsuited TO such occasions.
After the speaking the Boydton MIN
| streI Troupe gave An entertainment LOT
| the benefit Of the Confederate monument
| fund This was largely attended, both
| afternoon and night. and quite a hand
| some sum was realized. This Is an. ex-
| cellent troupe and a very generous one
| 4 meeting OF the Armistead Camp was
| also held. The same organization was
| continued for another year. The deaths
| of Commander William 7. Atkins ana
| Richard Il. Haskins were announced ana
| suitable resolutions of respect were passed
| to their memory.
THE MONUMENT.
| The treasurer made his report thar
| there had been collected for. the monu-
| ment to be erected TO the confederate deai
| of MeckIenburg at the county seat about
| $500.
| 4 committee, composed of Commander
= r. Goode. c. n. Williams, w. A.
| Jameson. J. II. Hedderly. Charles Alex
| ander. Thomas ID. JeifresS, and VIII
| liam Russell, was appointed 10 select a
| location and let to contract the erection
| of a pedestal OF granite or marble for the
! bronze statue. Also To continue the col
lection OF funds as II Is estimated tne
| cost of the monument completed VIII
| annroximate $1,000 II IL a remarkable
| fact that the first two dollars contributed
| 10 this monument fund was by a Federal
soldier.
| OF TWO WARS.
Noticeable at the hour OF the process
| sion were two old soldiers OF two wars
| Mr.. Yates. OF Halifax. who was In the
| First Virginia Regiment at the Mexican
| yyar and also In the Confederate ser
| vice: and Mr. Ashworth, Of Lunenburs
COUNT, who served in the Mexican and
| Confederate armies. They appeared In
good health, and stnl full OF fire.
| A letter from Congressman James +.
| Epes. Of Nottoway. was received in which
he said he would attend IL he could be
al home long enough to get over the feel
ing that have just come out OF another
| army" AS he did not show up. II is pre-
| sumed his congressional war still anects
| him.
The ladies'. young and Cd. seemed to
enjoy the day as much. IL not more, thar
the men. But. take IL altogether. the
! participants win long cherish the recoi'
lections Of this day as memorable, ans
one of the most enjoyable Of their lives
Not a word was uttered. or scene OF
any kind presented. to interfere with the
pheasant and harmonious proceedings.
The reunion next year will be held In
the town Of Clarksville.
bought Ono on the Instnlnsnt Plan.
Chicago Trtbune)