Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-19
REUNION AT LOUISA.
VISITING VETERANS ENJOY THH
LOCAL CAMPS HOSPITALITY,
MANY GO Up FROM RICHMOND.
Special Train Carries Over 300
Members of Lee and Pickett Cnmpl
and Their Families and Friends-
The Many Features.

|
of the local camp, was one OF the largest
happiest, and most whole-souled cesehra<
tions of its kind IN the history Of veteraa
organizations in Virginia.
All conditions were favorable TO thS
success OF the occasion. The weather
was well suited for such an outing, thl
arrangements We're carefully laid and
well carried out. the hospitality of the
Louisa veterans and their wives and
daughters was unbounded, the defneanor
Of the assembled crowd OF 800 or more
was orderly. and good-natured, and tho
days attractions were varied and abun-
dant.
| Richmond contributed very largely 10
the reunion. both in point OF numbers
and in the days entertainment. Tho
special train over the Chesapeake and
Ohio. run to accommodate Lee and Pickett
camps. carried over 800 persons. HcIudinc
members OF these two organizations
their friends wives. and daughters. and
tine delegation from the Sons OK Vete-
rams. All returned last night dusty and
! tired, but well pleased and praising the
| gallant sons and noble daughters OF
Louisa for the cordial and hospltable
manner i'm which they cared for their
| guests.
GIVEN A ROYAL WELCOME.
Pickett and Lee camps weTe the spe
cial guests Of Louisa Camp, which has
always made n feature OF its reunions
| Their special Of six coaches left tha
! Broad-Street depot at O'Clock. and mada
a smooth. quick run 10 Louisa. covering
| the sixty-twO miles IN about two hours.
| The only stop was at Hanover Junction.
| Music was a feature OF tho trip up IA
well as OF the days festivities. The Rich,
mond veterans carried with them th5
| Christopher Columbus Band. the Tony
Miller Combination the Pickett Camp
Drum and Fife Corps. and the Cowafdin
| Boys ZOuave Drum Corps.
| The cordial welcome given the Rich
mOnd veterans upon their arrival at
Louisa was an indication OF the manner
in which they were 90 be treated This
| members OF Louisa Camp and a great
| crowd Of people from the country rounds
about were assembled near the depot,
and the old soldiers were given most
| hearty cheers as they disembarlled. The
camps from this city were drawn up in
| a hollow square. and Commander Will
liam Kean, Of Louisa Camp. made a brier
| but hearty address OF welcome The Sons
Of Veterans were also extended most corr
dial greetings.
| The guests from this city were marched
directly to the picnic grounds i'm a beau-
| tiful lawn i'm the upper part of the town.
/ and We're made to feel perfectly at home.
There were "A goodly number OF the mem-
bers Of Gordonsville Cam present. ana
these mingled with the Nmond ana
| Louisa veterans, who. as n result OF FREE
quent meetings and interchanges OF cour-
| .esies. have become fast friends
! DINNER, SPEECHES. AND DANCING.
one Of the most delightful features OF
the reunion was it's thorough informality.
| There was no fixed programme Of eNcr-
cises. nor were there any set speeches.
Ample provision had been mnde for tho
comfort Of the crowd. 4 pavilion had
been constructed for those who desired to
dance. and seats had been arranged I'M
! shaded places for the people 10 rest when
| they became tired Of standing or walking
| about. The morning hours passed plea
sanity with music dancing. and war
| "reminiscences, and about ] o'clock the
visitors from Richmond were invited into
| the large enclosure, where long tables
heavily laden with choice viands awaited
them. more tempting cold dinner could
| hardly be imagined. There was a great
variety Of meats, vegetables. fruits.
sweets, and melons. and the supply was
| abundant When the veterans had feast
| ed the other visitors who had come by
| train and private conVeyances and In
cludng many Richmond people who are
| summerlng in Louisa, were invited TO tho
| inviting tables. All had plenty and thera
| was sun much left.
Oratory and dancing claimed chief at
tention after dinner. The ChristoDhor
| Columbus Band was stationed near the
speakers stand and played mt intervals
throughout the afternoon. while the Mil
! Ter Combination furnished music for
| dancing. The dancers We're many, and
| the sets were kept well filled. The
| speeches were all short and ia a pa
| triotic or reminiscent vein. and we're en-
| joyed by large portion Of the crowd.
| Commander Kean presided, and among
those who spoke were ex-Commander
| NOrthen, OF Pickett Camp; Hon. ID. &.
| Richardson, COmmOnwcalths Attorney or
| Richmond; Mr. Tempe Kent or 81. Louis.
| who IS q native Of Louisa and spent his
earlier life there; ex-senator Pembroke
Petit. of Fluvanna; Mr.. Lindsay Gordon.
OF the Louisa Bar. and Captain w. 4.
Meade the efficient chairman OF tho
! Executive Committee. who had charge OF
the days arrangements.
SPEAKS FOR THE SONS.
All Of these gentlemen spoke from the
| standpoint OF veterans, and their tributes
| TO Lee and Jackson, 10 the brave Contede-
rates who fell In defence Of a sacred
cause, and TO the noble women OF tho
South, were impassioned and eloquen-
| Kents illusions TO tho service Of ths
Louisa volunteers and to those who went
down I'm battle. were peculiarly tender
and feeling. As he called the names or
some Of that old countys brightest sons
who hll soldiers graYes many eyes grew
| moist.
one Of the best speeches OF the day was
| that made BY Mr.. Minitrec Folkes. COM
| rnander OF r. T.. Leo ramp, sons OF Con-
! federate veterans 0f this city He had
some very nice tnings to say about
Isouisa's fair daughters, laid a touching
tribute at the feet OF Leo and Jackson.
| dwelt upon the courage and her0ism OF
| the southern soldier, and discussed tho
| sphere OF usefulness for the sons. In
very graceful terms Mr. Folkes extended
an invitation TO the Louisa veterans.
and their sons and daughters TO como
down next Wednesday and participate
In the exercises incident 10 the laying
| OF the cornerstone or the sons cot
tage az the Soldiers Home.
Colonel Thomas Pollard presented 70
! the audience Miss Florence Evans tho
| talented Manchester elocutionst. who
| gave several rocitations IN charming
| manner. She was given decided
| ovation.
| The Richmond special was scheduled
| 20 leave Louisa at o'clock and Short
| ly before that hour the camps. escort't
| by their Louisa brethren. marched To
| the depot. They had spent most en-
! Joyable day. and started homo regret
| ting that the reunion WAS over. but
filed with memories OK the occasion that
| will long be fondiy cherished. Pfcketc
| Camp hopes 20 have the pleasure or en-
tertainlng Louisa Camp next year on