Evening star., 1897-01-20
WINE, SONG AND JEST
Celebration Of the Hinetisth Birthday Of
Robert E. Lee.
The Confederate veterans' Associa-
tion Enjoys an Inspiring Reunion
and Recalls Army Experiences.

t1eth anniversary OF the birthday of that
shining light of the lost cause, General
Robert e. Lee, was last evening most ap-
propriately commemorated by the members
and friends of the Confederate Veterans
Association. Camp III, U. C. v. To the
number of several hundred they assembled
at National Rifles Armory, and from 8
o'clock until long after midnight paid trib-
ute to the deceased hero. Not only the
confederacy. but the Union as well, Joined
heartily in the celebration, and perhaps the
most enthusiastic applause Of the evening
was accorded those of the speakers who
curing the troublous days of 1S61-'65 had
fought against Lee.
The assembly took place in the upper hall
OIL the armory, which was artiStically dec
grated with bunting and flowers, the stage
being a veritabe forest of palms and other
potted plants. Many ladies were in attend
ance. After a pleasant social session the
party proceeded to the lower hall and took
possession OF six long tables. The presi-
dent of the association, Capt R. Byrd
Lewis. who officiated POSTMASTER, sat at
the head of the center table, and on either
side of him were Messrs. John Goode, j.
McDowelI Darlington. ex-senator NJ. c..
W. Ogden, Capt Fl. P. Littlepage Frank
lin H. Mackey, Corporal James R. Tan
ner, Representative Charles ]. Boatner.
Ben1amin s. Minor and Rev. Randolph H
McKim.
The Speeches.
After the chaplain of the association,
Rev. DR.. McKim, had invoked divine bless
ing the attention of all for the two hours
that followed was directed to the discus
sicn of sumptuous repast. When the
coffee was served and cigars had been
passed around President Lewis announced
the toasts and introduced the speakers all
OF whom were continually interrupted by
applause. THE day we celebrate" ..,rhe
arthlery and The cavalry" were ably
handled, respectively, by Messrs. John
Goode, J. Mcdowell Darlington and Cen
M; Z. Butler. A song by Mr.. w. E. Nor
sell was well received. and then Repre-
sentative H. w. Ogden of Louisiana was
called upon to respond to the toast, The
infantry Representative Ogden described
at some length his desire at the beginning
of the war to enter the cavalry, but added
that he was compelled, finally, to join
forces with the infantry That turn of
affairs, continued the speaker, lis re-
sponsible for my presence here this even
ing"
Capt: H. B. Littlepage. who was an Off
- Ger Oh the Merrimac at the time of the
encounter between that ram and the Moni-
tor, looked after The navy" He briefly
outlined the growth, progress and sue
cess Of the confederate navy and described
IN graphic manner trip Of the steamer
Arkansas through double line of Union
vessels. Capt. Littlepage eulogized the
officers of the confederate navy who en-
rolled their names on the scroll of fame in
south
Honor to Corporal Tanner.
Mr.. Franklin H. Mackey of the District
bar, but formerly of South Carolina, spoke
OF our Battle Flag concluding with a
stirring. original poem, dedicated to the
nag, which evoked much enthusiasm
Corporal Tanner was welcomed with
three cheers he arose to respond to
Inc american Soldier His remarks
varied from the humorous to the Dathetic
and were apparently greatly enioyed.
The Women of the South were gallant
!y complimented by Representative Charles
!. Boatner, and Mr.. Benjamin s. Minor
spoke for the Sons of Confederate Vet
erans' A toast to Our Dead Comrades,
was drunk standing and in silence and
with the singing of Aud Lang Syne" the
celebration, one long to be remembered,
was reluctantly brought to close. =
Ihe committee in charge of the affair
consisted of George H. Ingraham, chair
man; c. c. Ivey, NJ. S. Thompson. J. d.
Dodd, Franklin II. Mackey, J. n. Hobgood,
j. W. Fite and Thomas A Howard In
addition to those mentioned, there were
present Miss Drew, Miss Louise Suter. Miss
Rose J. Scott Mrs. Fite, George s. Donnell,
Col. William f. Rodgers Capt Hugh Wad-
dell. Col. William d. Peachy, John T. Cal
laghan. George H. Ingraham Findlay Har-
ris, MIR. and Mrs. Magnus Thompson, DIR.
Suddath, DR.. Mitchell. DR.. Manning, A. G.
Holland, Ed Buckley, Miss Wilson, Mrs.
Belt, Col. s. Farrow, John H. Lewis, Capt
T. Q. Munce, Miss Hobgood, William Boor-
man. Frank Hume, Hugh McCafYery. Leigh
Robinson, DR.. Nash. Capt. Irwin, Maurice
Clagett, Col. Tinetlan, Capt. Simms, Capt.
Grayson. Miss Grayson, Capt. steves, Mrs.
Steves, DIR. Lewis. Mr. Lyndham Mrs.
Franklin H. Mackey, Miss Jane r. Cod
wise, Miss Lily NJ. Thrift, Miss Elizabeth
Chapman, Edward T. Buckley and Mrs. NJ.