Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-01-08

p +. LEE CAMP.-rhe regular
monthly meeting of K. l.. lie Camp,
Confederate Veterans, was held last
night with an unusually large attend
ance of members. Commander Smoot
occupied the chair.
A letter from Major Albert Akels,
expressing his regret at not being pres
ent to address the camp as promised,
was read.
a communication from the Conftd-
crate Women's Monument Association
in reference to the erection of monu-
ment 10 the women of the Confeder-
acy," was received.
The committees on resolutions of re-
soect to the memory of Comrades Mel
son and Slaymaker made their reports
and copies OF the resolutions will be
forwarded to the families.
The vacancy in the position of chap
lain to the camp, caused by the death
of Comrade Nelson, was filled by the
election of Comrade X. Kemper.
1t was decided to celebrate General
Robert E. Lees birthday January
18th by the usual banquet, and the
following committee was appointed TO
make all necessary arrangements :
Comrades Perry, Boush, Davidson,
Ramsay, Wise and WytkotF.
Comrade Dr. Bedford Brown present.
cd the camp with piece of the cloth
from which General r. f. Lees over
coat was made. 1t was neatly framed
in gilt and was ordered to be placed Oh
the walls of the hall. In presenting
the relic Dr. Brown said:
hold before me gilt frame enclos-
ing a tmall bit OF navy cloth. Ordina-
rily ,aere scrap of cloth is of no sig
nificance, but there may be circum-
stances when so tiihing thing
Uav become of exceeding interest
because of association, and the interest
of this small scrap of cloth is derived
from the fact that it was intimately as
sociated with one of the greatest and
best men that this world has ever pro
duced. the noble hero, the splendid
chieftain, Robert E. Lee. The inscrip-
tion underneath tells Us that ii was a
scrap of the imported material from
which was made the ovtrcoat worn by
that great man, our glorious command
er, during that anxious and appalling
4ime-that last winter OF the war. 1t
was this material that shielded the per-
son of our great and beloved command
er from the cold and the wet of those
perious times that tried the stoutest
and bravest hearts. In those dreadful
times when we knew not what day
would bring forth, when everything
seemed to- hang quiyering and trem-
bling upon the balance, all eyes and all
hearts turned to him for succor, for
guidance. for support, in those dark
and gloomy days of the Confederacy.
In our love and devotion to him our
hearts naturally 90 out to and cherish
whatever was in any way connected
with his person, his life, his wonderful
achievements and his splendid charac-
ter that towers above all Others. Aud
even this trilling memento, insignificant
in itself when we know that it was as
sociated with the noble hero of the lost
cause, is at once enhanced in value and
interest. 1t brings to mind that dur
inv the vigils by night and by day, in
cold in rain and in SNOW. in his un-
ceasipg watchings, in his heroic labors
TO defend his brave, uufaltering little
band against untold numbers and re-
sources, this material shielded and
protected the person of Robert f.. Lee.
and it NAV be, preserved his glorious
life, life sacred 10 Nirginians and all
true southern men, from the dangers
and vigors of winter. les, comrades,
the cloth of which this was q piece COW
cred the breast that contained in its
walls one of the biggest, the most no.
ole. generous and brayest hearts that
ever throbbed in the bosom OF man. If
the garment of which this was q por-
ton bad the power to tell tales what a
history could it relate of that fearful
winter fraught, IS it was, with the bur-
dens Of tremendous responsibilities,
with cares and anxieties, with hopes
against nsurmOuntable obstacles and
difficulties and the gigantic labors of
genius, indomitable will and untiring
perseverance to save glorious and
righteous cause, then trembling in the
balance. from destruction. In those
critical times the cause of the Southern
Confederacy rested almost alone on the
shoulders of the hero, Robert +. Lee.
fat any time his life had been lost or
he had been disabled there was none
other that could have filled his place.
Comrades, we do we'll to love and
adore the name of Robert Il. Lee and
all that is associated with him. He
WAS the embodiment of q true and no
BILE southern man. In him was repre-
scented all that was good and great OF
southern chivalry-modest, but brave,
sincere and honest, true and faithful,
noble and generous. In those times OF
trouble, of anxieties, of fear almost bor-
dering on despair, every eye turned to
the great chieftian. Robert +. Lee, as
the star of our hopes and the saviour OF
our cause. This scrap of cloth was OBJ
tanned from gentleman in Norfolk,
who was an accredited agent of the con-
federate government in London during
the war, through his daughter, an esti-
mable married lady OF this city. He
purchased the cloth in London special
iy for the purpose of having it made
into an overcoat for Gen Lee, and il
was sent home, the overcoat was made
and presented to the great chieftain
and he wore it during the last year o.
she war. So know that its history j:
established beyond doubt.
POLICE CoURT.-Jnstice Thompson