The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-03-31
CONFEDERATE REUNION.
An Address by Gen. Peyson Wise to
All Veterans.


The Yirginian has been requested to
publish the following stirring address
from General Peyton Wise, OF Rich
| mond, Va:
Richmond, Va, March Is, 1885,
To the United Confederate Veterans,
Everywhere:
Your sixth annual reunion will be held
at Richmond, Va, on the 3Oth June, list
and I'd of July next.
Widely scattered since the war by the
ties OF family and old-time firesldes.
by the demands of business, by your na-
tural energies, and by the necessities Of
life, you are coming HOAiE-home to
the city which is yours by the supremest
tests of the rain of fire through which
you went and Of the sea of blood
through which you passed, on the mis-
sion OF her and the common defense
You have been no prodigal sons, for you
inherited only the remnants of rapa-
cious ravage that was rampant every
where in your land; because you had
nothing left but THE manhood from
which You were inseparable
But the fatted calf shall be killed for
you. and we shall be merry together
not because of pity for your sins, but
because pride in your fame demands.
You shall traverse again the streets
which thrilled to the tread of your le-
ranks OF the best army that the world
ever knew. You shall be confronted by
the Nirginlans who were the comrades
or your immortal glory, and who are
your brothers forever
You shall see again the women who
nursed you back to vigor from the fee
bleness of wounds and want, from the
wretched woe of your losses, and who
pointed the dying gaze OF your fellows
TO the heaven which stopped to enfold
them Your eyes shall behold for them
selves the city which proudly wrapped
herself in your patriotic flames. from
which she has emerged. thing Of beau
ty and a joy for always.
You sh all revisit the battlefields which
rave been consecrated by your blood
anw where, If you lost your country. Won
found a fame that fills the world.
Heartily helped by our city, and her
citizens. we are building for you a place
Oh reunion in which ten thousand of
you may make the welllin ring to the
music Oh Dixie and to the chorus of the
rebel yell.
On some appropriate day of the re-
union YOU shall be part and parcel If
the rearing of that monument which
snail be to Jefferson Davis, not merely
because he was your President and
uwelt as such in the Capitol of Your Con-
federacy. but because he was the nm
speakaoie type of that inefrable man
MOOD which made the armies Of the
South
During your stay here there will be
many birouac, where. not in brayado
or dtsloyalty. but for sweet memory's
sake. VIII be sung over again the old
songs, told over again the old tales
lousht over again the Old fights. yelled
again the old yell. and raised again the
| old flag.
Come, then, come to ur hearts and
MONIES, ana to these bivouacs. before we
pass to the great beyond we ought TO
nave one more bout and toast together.
me toast shall be to ur own memories
ana to ur Confederate comrades where
ever they may be; but it shall carry
along with 1t brave blessing for our
fellow-c!tizens everywhere. n determinai
devotion to the safety, honor, and wei
rare of the entire country.
(SigneD PEYToN U-1c,,
IN