Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-17
COLONEL MOSBY'S SPEECH
Reunion Marked by Anti-Seotionalism and
Good Feeling.
Organization Formed
Speeches Made at the Dinner In
Response to TOasts.

The banquet Of the Mosby men at ODD
Fellows Hall last night in Alexandria was
a fitting termination to the successful re-
union of the day. The banqueting hall
was handsomely decorated with the flags
Of the nation, and the old confederate flag
was conspicuous for its absence, the cor
ners and windows were banked with cut
flowers and potted plants. and the scene
was one long to be remembered. Covers
were laid for one hundred and fifty people.
though nearly double that number partic-
ipated. At the head Of the table sat Col.
John s. Mosby, with Senator Daniel. SEN
ator Hurton. Gen. VIM. H. Payne. Gen.
Marcus B. Wright, Col. William H. Chap
man. Maj. Dolly Richards. Capt: Sam:
Chapman and pr. A. Monteiro on his right
and left. Maj. Dolly Richards OF Louis
vile presided as POSTMASTER in becom-
ing manner, ard in eloquent language IN
troduced the speakers of the evening. Col.
Mosby was the first speaker, and he re-
sponded to the toast, THE forty-third bat
talon, Virginia cavalry"
Col. MOsby's Speech.
In his remarks Col. Mosby said:
when on April p, 1865. told you that
l was no longer your commander, and bade
you what we then considered a long, and
perhaps an eternal, farewell. the most hope
full among US could not reasonably have
expected to ever witness scene like this.
Nearly thirty years have passed away, and
we meet once more on the banks or the
Potomac and in sight Of the Capitol; not
in hostile array, but as citizens Of a great
and united country. Gunboats no longer
patrol the river, there are no picket GUARDS
on its banks to challenge your crossing.
Your presence here this evening recalls our
In I the line drawn 10
hear read the last order l ever gave you;
I see the moistened eyes and qulVering
lips; 1 hear the command to break ranks;
l feel the grasp of the hand, and see the
tears on the cheeks of men who had dared
death so long that 1t had lost It's terror.
And 1 know now, as I knew then, tnat
each heart suffered with mine the agony OF
the Titan in his resignation to fate: Ine
rock. the yulture and the chain, all that the
proud can feel of pain l miss among you
the faces of some who were present toat
day, but have since passed over the sreas
river. and memory brings back the im nag,
of many of that glorious band VINO tneu
slept in the red burial of war.
It shall make no particular allusion 10
the part you played in the great Tragedy
of war. Our personal association was 30
intimate it would not become me to do so.
But standing here as do amid the wreck
of persisted hopes, this much at least l
can say, that in all the vicissitudes or
fortune and in all the trials of life. nave
never ceased to feel as I told you when
parting, "A just pride in the fame OF your
achievements end grateful recollection Of
your generous kindness to myself.
Other Speakers.
Gen. John B. Gordon responded to the
toast THE Army Of Northern Virginia
In a manner that aroused the sentiment In
the hearts Of those who were fortunate
enough to gain admission. His remarks
were applauded from beginning to end
kar NJ.
Daniel, who responded to the toast Gen.
Robert E. Lee" in a manner that was
much appreciated. Senator Daniels speech
paid the most glowing tribute to the men,
ory of the great southern chieftain.
1.-THE women Of the south" was responded
to in q happy manner amid roars OF APP
plause by Maj r. w. Hunter. THE recol-
iections of the last days of Mosby's COM
mand" was responded to by Jos. Bryan OF
Richmond, and many were the pleasant
incidents recalled by him. His remarks
called forth much applause from the COM
rades who surrounded MIN.
Speeches were made by Gen. Marcus
Wright of the Army of Tennessee, Senator
Eppa Hunton, Col. William A Chapman,
Gen. William H. Payne of the black horse
cavalry, Dr. A. Montiero of Richmond. H.
c. Maddux and others. Col William H.
and Capt. Sam Chapman sang an old IA
miliar confederate sorg, which was much
enjoyed.
Permanent Organization.
The anti-SectionaliSm OF all the speeches
was the cause Of much favorable comment
from many Union commanders and men
who were present.
When the speaking began every available
inch Of space in the hall was filled with the
wives and daughters Of Alexandria's most
prominent citizens, all OF whom were much
interest ed in the proceedings.
The fact that Mosby did not surrender
his command at the close of the war. but
disbanded them, is not generally known,
but was referred to with pleasure many
times during the evening.
Many times throughout the day yester-
day the question of forming permanent
organization for the purpose Of holding a
reunion at least once year was talked or,
and it reached fitting climax yesterday
evening by the organization OF the John
S. Mosby Camp Confederate veterans,
with the following officers: John S. Mosby,
commander; John H. Alexander, first lieu
tenant commander; Capt. J. w. Foster.
second lieutenant commander; Capt. Foun-
tain Beattie, third lieutenant commander
William II. MoSby, adjutant; John u. Beck
ham, Sci geant major and treasurer; Capt
Sam Chapman chaplain; DR.. w. L. Dunn,
surgeon, and G. w. L. Tuberville. quarter
master ]. w. Hammond. b. +. Carter, IT.,
]. F. Faulkner and George ID. Hunt COM
pcSe the executive committee.
After some little discussion 1t was unani-
mously resolved that the first annual meet
ing of the camp should be held at Marshal
formerly Salem), FauQuier county, va (a'
which place Mosby disbanded his men at
ter the surrender of Gen. Lee, on the Sec
ond Wednesday in August, 1875.
Notes of the Reunion.
During the interim between the dinner
hour and the banquet songs and dances en-
tertained many who had dropped in to see
Mosby's famous guerrillas.
There were six of the survivors presen,
whose aggregate weight was exactly g
ton.
Billings Steele, grandson of Francis Scot,
Key, the composer of the Star Spangled
Banner" was one of the most popular, as
we'll as enc Of the youngest, men present.
John G. Beckham and John H. Alexander
were the center of admiring groups all day
lCrg who complimente.1 them on the glJ
rious success of this the first reunion since
the war
The members of the press, of which som.
ten or twelve were present, were hand
somely entertained and given ample &C.
commodations by the committee.
Col. Maddux, who is well known to all II
this section, made things lively Throughout,
the day by his many humorous stories O,
scenes participated in by him.
Nearly all the men left for their homes
this morning.
THE POLICE BALL,