Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1897-07-23
ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST BATTLE
0F MANASSAS

On last Wednesday, the Seth anniver
sary of the first battle OF Manassas was
celebrated by tbs Daughters Of the Con-
fedefacy OF Prince William county. The
Court House at Manassas was gaily
decorated with Confederate colOrs. the
nsmes Of prominent Confederate generals
and "welcome TO the boys who wore
the gray"
Tie exercises of the day were opened
with prayer by Rey. Me-. Nelson, Of
Warrenton.
Mr.. J. b. Thornton,in an eloquent man
ner welcomed the old veterans and In
lroduced Hon T. +. Meredith who de-
livered an able aud interesting address.
lie IN turn introduced Gen1 II. Kyd
Douglass, who delivered an address Civ
ing an account Of the battle OF Manassas
Next In turn came Col. E. V. White,
the commander Of the Comanches. who
received a hearty welcome from the vast
audience before him. Col. Whites IN
terest 10 the cause, and undying love for
| Confederates was manifested, as with
constantly increasing force and eloquen Q
! he gave a beautiful description of the
second battle Of Manassas He wes near
Gen1 Jackson during this battle. His I'd
miration ofJacksOr's character "a sol.
dler seemed to be without bounds. and II
has never been our privilege to listen TO
| A more accurate declaration OF the rugged
features aud characteristics of Stone wall
Jackson than that given by Col. WhIte
at this anniversary. He was followed Ny
DR.. Clarkson, of Prince William who de-
liyered lengthy poem.
| r l.. IA
then extended a most hearty invitation
to every veteran TO take dinner with
them and gave notice that it was their
| special request that no veteran shonl6
leave the grounds without partaking q
their hospitality. The tables were but.
dened with substantias and delioaces Oi
all kinds, and these veterans contrasting
the fare with that Of 36 years ago did
their very best TO compliment the cuislnt
of the fair ladies or Prince William, and
right we'll did they succeed. This chap
ter seems to Do specially organized 10
take care of the Indigr ent veterans, sht
# we are to judge of the kind care which
they Will take of veterans by that which
was manifested on Rednesd sy. it will b,
6rft class and we would not be- surprised
il there should be a third anabasls to tb,
plains Of Manassas Old s ldlersiare still
fond of good things and the ladies Of
Prince lillian have no Idea how they
succeeded in touching the most tender
part Of the composition of the Coincide
rate Veteran.
After ali bad been so bonntifully en-
tertained, Gen Butler Of South Carolina
was introduced, and paid a handsome
aud we'll deserved tribute to the won n
of the South and the kindness OF Vir-
glnIa women during the war
He was followed in turn by Gen EDps
Hnnton, the hero Of Balls Bluff, IN one
Of his characteristic speeches which our
people so highly appreciate. After him
Gen w. II. Payne was loudly called for
by the audience. His speech showed
that the old Veterans knew that they
would get something good, II they could
get Gen Psyue upon the stand. They
were not disappointed. He did not at
tempt to feed them upon tho nan :
pamby stuff about the blue ard the gray,
which is now so fashionable, hut soon
showed them that he was still the same
gallant Confederate that be was from
| 1861 rill be was carried in banket
from the hard fought battle fad Of Five
Forks His 6erJ enlhuss,m and love
for the cause for which he fought aud
bled met responsive chord IN the hearts
of the Old veterans who stood before b III
and Of the ladies who surrounded him
Next representative Of the VALLEY
aud the old Stonewall Brigade, 10 thu
person OF Mai X IT, Hunter delighted
the audience with an eloquent md i'm
pressive grafton.
he was followed by Gen'l Harry Heath
a gallant Confederate neral whose re
pn'aiion as a soldier il 40 well ko Fu
and who male tell ~ sre Oh whlcl
pleased The audience.
The exercises of the day we're closed
by the recitation of poem by Col
Beikley OF Prince William
1t was really a delightful occasion and
the ladies of that section OF the State
may well be proud of their etfTts to
bring before the present generation thu
soldiers and the scenes Of that eyentfu
day OF sc years agJ.
lie regret that time would not Tsrml
Us to prepare more carefully an extended
account Of this much enjoy ed occasion
We met number OF Shenandoah people
= no have made Z. ince William comfy
their home. Among them, M-ssrs. w. J
BushoDg. r Hotel and brother. and
Max Thomas aud regretted that we
could not share their proffsred hospital
ty. number of Shenandoah people
whom we hoped to meet we did not see
among them Mr.. J. T. Btker and Nc
Andrew Wright of whom we heard, bn
did not have the pleasure of seeing. 'ln
visit to Manassas makes man feel like
going back. To the young meu of thi
generation there are more potent an'
| fairer aftrRcflons than those which thel