Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-21

the pleasure OF joining this last-namsd
veteran organization In the very interest,"
Ing exercises attendant upon srs rar, s
j. William Jones. / noted with gfatnc@
ton the goodIy number OF comrades pres
ent on this interesting occasion tnsir SUI
dierly bearing, their discipline and couas
Tesy. and their handsome Uniforms ana
am glad 10 mention this as one OF the
model camps OF our organization.
LEE CAMPS PICTURE GALLERY
I was fortunate in being present at one
of the ''presentatons' OF the for',al.
Committee of II. =: Lee lamp ~" coma
10 be characteristic feature or the
meetings 81 this admirable organization
Of our veterans. All honor 10 me Pa
triottc authors of this unique metnod OF
perpetuating the features, as wen as tns
Virtues. of distinguished comrades, and
placing their portraits where they VIII
long meet the fond gaze or SURVIVING
comrades, and when these nave az
CROSSED over the river, VIII sun TOOK
sons bidding them TO hold In honor the
principles for which they commended, ana
the courage and fortitude with wnicn
they maintained them.
II has panied me to note the dlscour-
aging effect which death and infirmity
and penury have had upon some OF our
smaller camps, thinning their ranks al
most to the point OF extinction. AGAIN,
some Of the country camps. OWING 70 ,ne
gether and the apathy OF many COM
rades have seriously thought or as
banding. But my experience Justiiies tne
belief that any OF them may pc re'iv w,
and restored II the proper means can
only be used.
THE MANCHESTER CAMP.
Our good comrades OF the camp In Man.
chester. bearing the honored name OF
Joseph r. Johnston. had almost despaired
of maintaining their organization any
longer but they rallied to the call or your
INSPECTOR General, held an enthusiastic
meeting, and, true TO their record, re-
solved with entire unahimfty to stand Dy
the furled banner and all It's precious
memories as long as there Is an OLD nero
left
The camp at Ashland, scattered over the
county. had ceased to meet, and seemed
to be threatened with dissolution. But
they, too, responded to the summons OF
their gallant commander and met togetner
IN goodly number, gave US a nearly re-
ceptlon, and showed by their zeal ana
pluck that there was life in the organiza-
ton which would not die till the veterans
who compose 1t do.
THE GOOD OF REUNIONS.
I have found that reunions do more to
keep up the country organizations than
any other plan that can be devised. ana
have encouraged them 10 the extent OF
nv ability. There were more In virginia
this wear than ever before, and the at
tendance has been large beyond all ex-
pectation.
The enthusiasm aroused among COM
rades by a reunion in one county is
communicated to those in another, ana
so the ball is kept rolling, and from Inc
mountains to the sea the veterans OF the
Lost Cause have met in fraternal gamer
ings throughout the year, had rare enjoy
ment, revived fond memories. cemented
old friendships, and strengthened our or
ganiZation Such gatherings should be
encouraged by this Grand Camp IN every
way possible. The observance OF what
| have called "Confederate-Day' has
proved both enjoyable and profitable. the
| camp arranges a reunion or comrades
from one or more counties, in some ca
pacious grounds, provides amusements,
| races, games, dinner, and, II possible q
| sham battle and competitive drill Inc
| public are invited, and small admission
| fee charged. considerable sum OF
| money is raised, and the camp rs mus
| provided with much needed funds, and,
| perhaps, enabled TO uniform. Such was
| the experience OF Stonewall Jackson
| Camp, and ] mention 1t that others IN
| need of funds or stimulus may take note
/ of the experiment
In my last report / had occasion TO
mention the offer that was kindly made
| by the managers of our Soldiers Home:
| 10 provide for unfortunate and distressed
! comrades of West Virginia. L have now
| West Virginia camps. in convention as
| sembled considered our offer. and, while
gratefully acknowledging the eraternal
| spirit that dictated 1t. decided that the
| comrades of each camp or county would
| care for their own needy fellows. i am
| Entrusted with communication from
| Bishop Peterkin and other prominent
| West Virginia comrades, making a
| formal acknowledgment to the managers
of the Soldiers Home for their generous
| offer.
have fully appreciated the Importance
| OF this Grand Camp fostering the Sons or
| Veterans organization TO inherit the pro-
| perty OF our camps, preserve our recorus
do honor to the principles, and hold sacred
| the memories of their fathers. l have
never failed in visiting camps to inquire
| n they had also a camp OF Sons or Vete-
| rams under their wing, while l nave zone
| everything In my power 10 encourage
| their organization. am PLEASED 10 no.e
| that they have largely increased In num-
| Der during the last year, having grown
| from twenty camps to thirty-fve. and we
| owe them much for the good tney nave
| already done. Too much cannot be SAID
| I'm praise of the ladies' auxiliaries. the
| Daughters OF the Confederacy, the ladies'
| memorial associations, and all kindred
| organizations, formed by the wives. SIS
| tiers, and daughters of our comrades. ihe
| women of Virginia are as true now &c
| The memories of the Lost Cause and
| as helpful to our unfortunate veterans
| as were the women OF the Confederdcy
| TO our soldiers when they went TO the
| front, or our dead and wounded wher
| they fell Their names and their deeds
| will ever be linked with all that is good
and true and heroic in the history or TINS
| old Commonwealth. as well during th'
bloody days of strife as In the piping
| times Of peace.
HAVE A WISE COMMANDER.
/ wif a
| pressing my appreciation OF the assist
| ance and encouragement so kindly giyer
| me by our gallant Grand Commander
| who has ever been watchful and Jealous
| in the interest Of the Grand Camp.
l am glad 10 have been of some httlf
assistance to him in promoting the lauda
| BILE undertaking in which he has been sc
| actively and efficiently engaged In con
nection with the history OF the country
We have reason to expect telling results
from his intelligent efforts.
Our esteemed Acknowledgement, the
embodiment of zeal. promptness. and exc
cution. has also been most helpful TO ms
| In my work and In the progress that eacf
| year brings to our organization there are
| unmistakable traces of his fine hand.
| And now, my comrades OF this Crane
| Camp. In surrendering to you the office
which your partiality he's three time.
| conferred upon me. and which expression
of confidence highly appreciate, l wan
| 10 urge every one OF our eighty-sever
| camps to remain united and loyal TO thu
! principles and objects Of our organization
| which grow In Importance as time ad
| yances and infirmity and age oyertak'
| our comrades. There Is much TO do. Ou
| marching days are over, but we will stant
memories, and mark time 10 the muffieC
tap OF the drum and walt like soldiers
| and veterans till the relief comes up anC
takes US. one by one, of duty forever.