Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24
A Visit to Pickett Camp.
IlfT1- thA tlfannfpn

When came, u stranger, 10 Ricnmoho
several years ago. l met here iaoy
from Maryland who lauShingly sa'n "
me: "Wcl. Richmond has three men
without whom she never has anything
Nothing is complete unless DT. tiose
prays. Captain Frank Cunningham sings,
and Major Stiles speaks" | have iouhu
much truth in what she said, anu, IN ado'-
tion TO that. / will say that kichmohd iS
highly appreciative OF home taieht-
strangers may have small houses, but
home talent never so far as | nave seem
have frequently had the great pleasure
of hearing Or. Hoge pray land preacn)
and Captain Cunningham sing, but hau
never heard Major stiles speak, so Mon
day night. learning that he would speak
on the battle of Cold Harbor at Pickett
Camp | was there. There was large
crowd present and among them goou
deal of talent. There were some pleasant
remarks from Bishop Penick ana Mayo,
TAYLOR. Hon. George ID. Wise was caheu
upon for a five-minute speech, ana III re-
sponse said that it might be noticed thdl
ne had taken seat near the door, that d
good soldier never got into place where
ne could not get out. and added. Win
bright smile, 'You won't capture me 'o-
night"
The address from Major stiles tof whicn
you have already had some nouce IN your
columns) the orator of the evening, was
deeply interesting 70 all. His Description
OF The battle was so graphic and viVid
that the whole thing was indelibly stamp
ed upon my memory. He has the same
wonderful power when presenting a thlhs
I'm a speech that Richard Mansfield ana
Sir Henry Irving have when actins'
Earnest. eloquent, pathetic tat time anus
ins) thrilling, vivid. intense-l saw Wha'
he saw years ago as ii it was before me-
and for the first time got an idea OF Dattie
such as / had never gained from pooAs'
lectures, descriptions from eyewitness,
panorama, anything, and If | was askeu
to-day If ] was at the battle or Colu
Harbor | should feel strongly inclined 10
say "yes."
l was much pleased with and amused
by the commander of the camp, Mr.. +. :
Winston. who presided most admirably.
Hon Henry r. Pollard. when called upon
for a five-minute speech. said he had TOO
much sense to speak after what ne had
lust heard. and Judge Christian said ne
had as much sense as Mr.. Pollard. SeVe-
raj gentlemen, realizing that their time
10 be called upon was fast approachins'
disappeared, but Captain Lamb SAID faceu
as he was by a number OF ladies', ne hdu
no desire to retreat Ga very wise thing, II
he had any idea all those ladies wouIu
pursue him) though he had belonged 10
a portion of the army which had been
spoken of in the following manner by an
old soldier: "Of all the cowardly things
there is, the cowardliest Is cavairy-
man" and added that when he was
wounded i'm the forehead and passed some
soldiers. he heard them jestingiy say:
"Heres cava!ryman who has got hurt
Mr.. Mullen said while he could tell US
nothing about the war. for he knew no
thing. ne was proud of being a son OF q
veteran. and pleaded earnestly for an IN
creased membership for his organization
and more interest from the present mem
bershlp. Captain Cunningham's sweet
song. Some Time Wen Understand,
was especially enjoyed. / came away
feeling that [ had indeed had rare
pleasure that night-the guest OF the
pickett Camp and having heard and seen
all that had, and the occasion Will long
be remembered by sIRANShH'