Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-01-17
It was stated in Yesterdays GAZETTE

1t was stated IN yesterdays GAZETiE
that there would be no permanent Or
ganization of the survivors of Colonel
John S. Mosby's command at their re-
union held in this city yesterday and
last night, this information having been
obtained from the managers of the re-
union. 1t was, however, late IN the
evening concluded to take such action,
and the following officers were elected:
Commander, John S. Mosby.
First Lieutenant Commander, J. a.
Alexander.
I'd do, VIM. Foster.
Sd do, Fountain Beattie.
.Adjutant, w. Fl. Mosby.
Sergeant Major and Treasurer, John
G. Beckham.
Chaplain, Samuel Chapman.
Surgeon, W. A. Dunn.
Quartermaster, Geo. R. Turberville.
Executive committee, ]. W. Ham
mond, B. F. Carter, jr., j. F. Faulkner
and George D. Hunt.
1t was decided to name the perma-
uent organizat on John S. Mosby
Camp, Confederate Veterans, and the
first regular meeting will be held at
Marshall, Fauquier county, Va, the
place where Mosby disbanded his men
at the close of the war, on the second
Wednesday in August, 1865.
From that time until the hour for
holding the banquet complete hubbub
prevailed in the hall. Greetings, hug.
ging matches, speeches, songs, and
many other diversions were INDUCED in.
There probably never was happier
crowd nor one in which every mem
Der more thoroughly enjoyed himself.
1t had been thirty years since some OF
them had met, and their joy knew no
bounds. The hall was veritable bee
hive, the comrades of the old 43d bat
talon passing to and fro pressing the
hand of this and that one, and engag-
lug in all sorts of familiarity and jocu-
iarity. OF course, Col. Mosby was the
central figure. and he never wearied OF
the attention shown him nor of shak-
ing the hands of his many friends and
acquaintance. Before the party re-
paired to the banquet hall the members
of the old battalion ranged themselves
on the south side of the room and MID.
II. Naramore took picture of the COM
mand by the fashlight process. Col.
Mosby was in the front rank with
Lieut. Col. w. H. Chapman on his
right and Major Dolly Richards on his
left. This over the command fell in by
companies and descended to the BAN
uuet room on the first floor where
Messrs. George Appich and VIM. ID.
Steuernagel had prepared an elaborate
fest. The tables groaned under the
choicest viands, while the decorations
were gorgeous, tasteful and appropri-
ate. The star-spangled banner was
everywhere. There were United States
flags, festoons, shields and eagles, ali
national emblems, indicative of the
fact that all were citizens again of a
common country. While the com.
pany was being seated the band
played the "Star-spangled Banner"
KEYS immortal ode, and descend
ant Billings Steele of the bard who
has found a responsive chord in the
breast of every American, was one OF
the happy throng-one who had follow
ed Mosby and the fortunes of the Con-
federacy during the four years CT its
history. "Dixie" was next .discoursed
and brought forth the rebel yell while
the hall rang over and over with that
historic battle cry, together with hur-
rahs, stamping, beating time on the floor
with feet and Gu the table with knife
handles. There were about fifty ladies
present. witnessing the proceedings,
and their smiles added no little to the
occasion. When Colonel Mosby's
daughters entered the room shout
of applause rent the air. They &C
knowledged the courtesy with smiles
and bows aud were escorted to posts of
honor at the west end of the hall.
While there were tremendous out
bursts ofapplause when the band struck
Up "The Bonny Blue Flag" "Take Me
Back to Dixie" "Down Upon the
Suawanee River" etc., one could not
escape the conclusion that the company
had accepted the Inevitable
in the result of the conflict of arms, and
as all were by the emblems
Of a common country, E Pluribus
Unum was as sacred to the ex confede-
rate as to the soldier who fought for
the perpetuation of that motto.
Senator's John w. Daniel and Eppa
Hunton were present, as were also
Gen. John B. Gordon, Gen. W. 81.
Payne and other men prominent in the
late confederacy. These comrades were
received with heart felt applause when
they entered the hall.
The happy strains of Shall Colnm
bia" next animated the souls of all pres
emit, and Col. Mosby was at the same
lime escorted to the head of the table
by Gen. Wright and Commander VIM.
A. Smoot of Lee Camp of this city.
The company feasted for about half
an hour, and after the punch had been
Mayor Dolly Richards, who
acted as toast master, raped the as
semblage to order. He expressed him
self as happy to see SO many of his old
comrades in arms seated at the festal
board, and paid a glowing tribute to
The 4Sd battalion. He then announced
that Col, Moshy would address the
COMMUNICATING he had not done
since April, 1865, when he formally
them from service. The col
onel spoke as follows:
Cer,rsdes, When on April 21st, 1865, /
old you that was no longer your command
n, and babe you what we then considered a
org and perhaps an eternal farewell, the
most hopeful among US could not reasonably
aye expected ever to witness scene like
his
Nearly thirty years have passed away,
ind we meet once more on the banks of the
ootomac and in sight of the Capitol; not in
hostile array, but as citizens Of great and