Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-24
AMELIA VETERANS.
A Glorious Confederate Reunion
Speeches and Music.

AMELIA COURTHOUSE. VA, octo-
Der 23.-(Special)- was men,
orable day in our good old county. for
the Confederate veterans held their grand
reunion. The day dawned in respondent
beauty. and by u o'clock a surging crowd
had assembled. a large number OF Con-
federate veterans, marshalled by Judge
f.. X. Farrar formed In line, moving on
with measured tread TO the courthouse
The room was beautifully decorated with
Confederate flags and pictures, the arts
tic work Of the fair ladies.
Promptly on its assembling Major c.
r Irving OF the First Virginia Cavalry
called the meeting to order. and Judge
Farrar delivered a short, cordial address
OF welcome. and introduced the Rev.
Richard Ferguson. of the Eighteenth Nir-
ginia Regiment Uhe soldier who Is said
to have fired the last gun on the heights
of GETTYSBURG, who invoked the Divine
blessing.
The Sweet Bye and Bye" was sung
with one accord by the vast assembly.
The first speaker introduced was b. b.
Vaughan, Esq, OF petersburg cine hoy
cavalryman), who delivered a short adj
dress. replete with historical reminis-
cences and glowing eloquence.
JUDGE MANN.
Judge w. III. Mann. the orator Of the
day. was then introduced. and held the
audience forty minutes. Would that |
had the time TO report his speech In full
II Is sufficient to say that no ADLER ad-
dress in vindication OF the Lost Cause"
has ever been delivered to a Virginia
audience Calm. conservative. and true,
IL was a matchess specimen OF splendid
oratOry.
The next speaker introduced was Gene
raj Stlth Boiling OF Petersburg. He was
received with great applause He stated
he was entirely unprepared He gave a
soldierly and eloquent address.
General Hundey was called upon and
allowed five minutes To make his speech.
1t was a gem of sparkling rhetoric and
tender pathos.
A BUSINESS MEETING.
At the conclusion of the speeches a
business meeting was held. and y. w.
Dekrant. OF the Confederate navy was
elected assistant secretary OF the Con-
federate Association. formed to build a
monument to the Amelia soldiers. and
Miss Estelle Allen, treasurer. This COM
pletes the organization Of the association.
Judge Mann offered resolution i'm
commentator OF the soldier life of Gene
raj William Malone, which was unani-
mously adopted.
Dinner was here announced, and Mr.
John J. Allen. who had charge OF the
entertainment department. provided
sumptuously for the vast crowd in at
tendance.
Among the Richmond veterans I'm at
tendance were L. Levy. NJ Mittledor
fer and George NJ. Wilson. OF the
Amelia Cavalry.
I u.hn left
dead on the field OF battle. sent tele-
gram of regrets and congratulations.
Colonel J. p. Fitzgerald, of the Twen-
ty-third Virginia. sent a letter of regret
at his inability to attend, as did also
General W. u. Taliaferro.
THE CONCERT.
AT o'clock the campfire concert was
given before packed house The music
was delightful. and the old soldiers
laughed and cried by turns.
Mr. Tony Millers instrumental quar-
tette opened the entertainment with a
few lively airs. and delighted the audience
with their fine music. The cornet imita-
ton OF j. Clint. Burton was inimtable.
Miss Sarah Harrison. OF Amelia. gave
several solos. rendered artistically. and
Mr.. $. NJ. Gregory, the famous banjo
man and old Confederate. gave some per
formances, TO the amusement of the
crowd.
Mr.. James Bedser sang several comic
songs. which greatly amused the audi
ence.
At o'clock there was another perform
ance. and another crowd assembled. An
amateur company OF local talent-con-
sisting OF w. +. Griffith. John w. Wal
lace. Miss Nettie Rennie. and Miss Belle
Booker-rendered the pleasing comedy Of
Betsy Baker" with wonderful effect,
and was enthusiastically received In
this concert we had the additional talent
OF Mr.. Floyd W. Tucker and his ac-
complished wife. who rendered most eff
ficient service in singing and playing the
accompaniment We also had Mr.. Eu-
gene Cloves. who thrilled the audience
with his beautiful song.