Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-10-21
THE GRAND CAMP.

The tenth annual session OF the
Grand Camp of Confederate Veterans
of Virginia was called to order in Rich.
mond yesterday in the Hall of Lee
Camp by Grand Commander Cussons.
The camp is composed of over eighty
local camps, nearly all of which were
represented. Among those present were
Governor O'Ferrall, Gen. Fitz Lee,
ex. Governor Cameron, Gen. Stith Boil.
ing, Col. R. T. W. Duke and scores of
otters. Besides the Grand Camp, the
Grand Camp of the Sons of Confederate
Veterans are in annual session there.
This body, of which Edward Cox is
grand commander, has tWenty-six
camps. Of these, all but three are re-
presented at the meeting. This is
their first annual meeting.
After calling the Grand Camp of Con.
federates to order, Grand Commander
Cussons introduced Mayor Taylor and
Governor O'Ferrall to welcome the Wis.
itors to the capital of Virginia and the
former capital of the Confederacy.
Both of these gentlemen made eloquent
and appropriate addresses. Gov.
O'Ferrall emphasized the fact that no
ex. Confederate needed any formal well
come to the city.
Major Norman Randolph followed
in well.timed speech, in which he in
troduced the fair sponsors and their
maids OF honor. These ladies occu.
pied seats on raised platform.
Gen. Fitz Lee was then introduced
and gave an interesting review of
some of the Virginia campaigns. Gen.
Lee then presented silk Confederate
flag to Quartermaster.G General Wash
ington Taylor, of Norfolk. After a
fitting response. from that gentlemen,
Col. T. S. Garnett, of Norfolk, present
ed similar emblem to Inspector-Gen.
eral T. c. Morton. of Staunton.
Grand Commander Cussons read his
annual report Since the last annual
meeting two new camps have been
chartered, making a total of eighty.
seven camps. Referring to the growth
of the camp he says:
Gas the mantle of honor must very
soon, in the nature of all earthly things,
descend to the shoulders of the Sons of
Veterans, would most earnestly rec
ommend that some action be taken by
this Grand Camp whereby they could
be brought into closer touch with this
organization and its subordinate camps,
and q deeper interest awakened in
them, 30 that when the last Confederate
Veteran Association passes away they
will be ready to see to it that truth and
Justice is done in history to the lost
cause and the honor of their fathers.
I earnestly recommend to every camp
which has not already availed itself of
that great privilege and assistance the
necessity of establishing ladies' aux.
iliary camp, or Daughters of the Con-
federacy-an organization which adds
so much energy, determination and CO.
operation TO every act of the camp for
its own good and for the relief AMI as
sistance OF the sick and disabled Con-
federate soldier and his family.
II wish TO call the attention of this
Grand Camp to the Importance of in
augurating active measures to raise
funds to complete the monument to
that true patriot aud revered President
of the Confederate States, Jefferson
Davis. Considerable amount of funds
are in hand, but not enough to complete
the good work. would therefore rec
ommend that some action be taken in
the matter.
II cordially unite with my predeces-
sor in recommending that some definite
action he taken to secure the Confeder-
ate muster rolls of troops furnished the
Confederate army and navy from Viz
ginia and West Virginia. :"
The most interesting matter consid-
cred at the afternoon session was res
olution offered bv Col. Stewart, of
Portsmouth. This requests the history
commission to consider the propriety of
drafting resolution to be reported to
the camp requesting the board of edu'
cation to require that the flag of Vir-
ginia should be raised on all the public
schools. At present in nearly all of
the cities the American flag is display
ed. Colonel Stewards resolution evoked
considerable discussion. The senti-
ment seemed that as school buildings
are exclusively State property, it
is fitting that the alag of Virginia
should be hoisted and not the fed
eral colors. all of the speak.
ers declared that this idea carried no
sort of hostility to the flag of the union.
The resolution was adopted by a prac-
tically unanimous vote. The commit
tee will consider the question of pre-
pairing the resolution contemplated.
The camp took action which will
greatly reduce the number of colonies
and other military titles in Virginia. A
resolution was adopted suggesting to
the local camps that hereafter all mill
tary titles shall be abandoned. The
officers, it is suggested, shall be known
as commanders, lieutenant.command.
ers and adjutants. This will prevent
the camp titles from conflicting with
those acquired by members in military
service. -.
A letter was read to the camp from
Bishop George W. Peterkin, of West
Virginia, regarding the proposition
that the ex.Confederates of that State
who desire to do so may be sent to the
Soldiers Home in Richmond. This
plan was to be adopted on certain con-
ditions. The Bishop courteously thank.
ed the officers of the Soldiers Home for
this offer, but says that there are 30
few .Confederates in his State that
would be inmates of that institution
that the counties can properly care for
them. Colonel Mcclure and other
West Virginia ex-Confederates concur
on Bishop Peterkin's views.
Abont ooathir6 of tha nnamhers of