The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-07-09
WAR7LY WELCOMED.
Richmonc's Reception to the Confed-
crate Veterans.
lRichmond Dispatch. ]

lRichmond Dispatch.I
Lang syne, the camp fire, was the
place where we brothers Of the Con-
federacy met to divide our griefs and
borrow comfort for one another. There
the scanty ration was cooked and eaten.
There letters from home were read.
There we sang our songs Of joyous love
and undylEg patriotism.
Sometimes these fires were lighted
in majestic forests, beneath the archng
bou5 his OF great trees, and by some
ripping brook. Sometimes they were
lighted in ravines behind the breast
works, where they would he toIeraDly
well sheltered from the enemy's shot
and shell; but everywhere, and at all
times, they were popular gathering
places-the social clubs of the men in
the field, where the gossipper brought
his choicest bits Of news, and where
the camps raconteur retaIled his drOl-
lest stories and won his greatest re-
nOwn.
Our good swords are Tusf, our mus
kets have been used tor junk, and the
metal of our great guns, thrown into
the furnace again, has reappeared in
locomotive wheels and the govern
men,'s modern artillery. Furled, too,
is our fag-except in Richmond,
where it floats out in welcome to all
who venerate the names Of DAYS and
Lee, and to all who refer with honest
pride to the time "when they wore the
Rebel gray.'
Gone, too, is every camp; ex,n
guished is every camp fire. No chance
to borrow a chunk. No longer the
smoke curls through the tree-tops.
Pots and skllets are known no longer
as utensils Of men, and few, even of
our tidiest fellows, n wadays, do their
own laundrying and button sewing.
Dispersed, too, are all those companies
of manly boys, bearded and bronzed
before their time. Some persisted in
the battlestorm Of shot and she'll at
Chckamauga; some were arrested by
| death alongside the stone vail at Get
| tysburg; some were plucked out of life
on lonely picket posts; some fell here
at diseases door, some languished and
died in distant prisons; some escaped
all dangers, to strive and starve and
| fight until they surrendered with Lee
at Appomattox or with Johnston in
North Carolina, or with Kirby Smith,
in the Trans s5issippi Department.
All, many are they who have since
joined the great maj )ri,y; yet not
few abide with Us unto this day-un-
pensoned and accomplishing survi-
vors of the most gigantic war of
modern times; types Of the most
unselflsh soldiery that ever stood the
parable citizens.
Welcome to you, brothers, and let
US sit together and revive the fragrant
memories Of the e!entiul past, and re-
count the dangers and experiences of
our army life; Of the time when we
were yonns and strong in heart and
hope, of that heroic period, when for
love Of the South, we dared everything
and suffered much; nor counted death
too great premium to pay for glory!
For this occasion Richmond becomes
a Confederate camp again. Every
where here the Stars and Bars foated
upon the breezes. Everywhere the
veterans have welcome. And again
shall we gather about the platter; again
drink from the same cup; sing the old
camp songs; again rehearse the story Of
our battles and wounds-again be to
one another the comrades we were of
yore.
The measure of our hospitality, We
foresee, will poorly express our wishes,
and in the great crowds present
doubtless some who merit special con-
sideration will be overlooked. 50 we
beg all Nlrginlans vino may be here
this week TO help US entertain our
brethren from farther South. And
one and all we entreat to consider
that Richmond is again Confederate
camp-a well provlsioned, though may
be crowded camp-where there is
bread and bed for every veteran, and
a hearty welcome for all.