The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-04-10
Leo. ~urrcnd, r nj Appomuttox.


Appomattox day, the anniversary of The
surrender of the Confederate army under
General Robert E. Lee to General Grant
thirty years ago. was celebrated by the
Union Veteran Legion at it's headquarters
last night.
The headquarters OF the legion is at No.
sos Market street. About 100 veteran
soldiers met there last night. With song
and speech they told anew the story of the
great war, and then around an improvised
table on which tin plates aud cups coffee,
sandwiches and cheese were reminders of
their camp life, fraternized as only soldiers
can who have shared the dangers Of battle
and the jolity of the camp. The headquar-
ters of the legion are filled with mementoes
of the war. Pictures cover the walls:
very noticeable one is q very large drawing
of the famous Andersunville stockade.
Among the pictures were the portraits of
Lincoln and Grant and Sherman, and a host
of lesser heroes. The object of greatest at
tention and apparent reverence was the
beautiful flag of the legion spread out on
supports before the presiding officers desk.
To be near and touch this lag-"old Glory"
they called it--and to renew their old-time
devotion and battlefield inspirations. was
apparent desire of every one who contrib
ued to the entertainment by speech and
song. ..-l
The patriotic earnestness Of these gray
haired veterans, their Joy In recalling ther
services to the nation and their gratitude
for the opportunity for this celebration OF
the thirtieth anniversary OF the close of the
war was an object lesson in patriotism
worth the careful attention of every citi-
zen.
The speeches were recitals Of personal ex-
periences of marches, of camp life and in
battles. The songs were those Of the camp
and the prison. There were men there who
told of the Peninsula campaign against
Richmond; of the First Delaware Regi-
ments fight at Antietam. Of the fight at
Fort Donelson, and~of Shcrman's march TO
the sea; who sang Of the Monitor and the
M0rrinIac and of prison life at Richmond,
Va. Columbia. S. C., and at Andersonville.
Ca, and OF the humorous side of these
tragic incidents of the war, and in no case
did any veteran speak in bitterness and hate
OF their opponents in arms. They seemed to
think only of the Union saved. the flag
honored. and tue fun they had as soldiers.
The recent medal inCiient--the Rowanty
inCident-was alluded to as matter of lit
tie consequence, and as the revival of the
claims OF individuals for special honor as
making unnecessary distinctions among
veterans, The matter OF monuments to
Delaware soldiers was also mentioned aud
Delawares failure to honor her eminent
soldiers was severely criticised. 1t vas
urged that, as a method of promoting good
citizenship and patriotism, the state should
honor General Thomas A. Smyth and Ad-
miral Dupont with monuments commence
rating their distinguished valur during the
war.
The speakers Of the evening were Peter
p. Ayars, Samuel Lewis, W, v TuNbury
sylvester Solomon, Joseph Wheeler, .. b.
Bosia. John Guthrie and Captain Barney of
the First Delaware regiment,
Songs were sung by Artemas Wilhelm,
William O'Cuuuor William Mcdowell and
Daniel Moore.
Colonel L. Z. Roderick, commander of the
legion, presided After the entertainment
! in the legion meetng-roOm the company ad-
journed to Snug Harbnr," adjoining
room, for refreshments. The legion ad-
journed at about II o'clock.