Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-20

fired at the home at noon. and a platoon
Of the Howitzers fired another salute at
o'clock beneath the shadow of the
monument TO the great general, erected
i'm the western portion Of the city.
AROUND THE CAMPFIRE.
At night Lee Camp kndled a campfire,
the genial glow Of which shed nothing
but radiance and charm. Within the
magic circle We're gathered distinguished
veterans from all over the State and the
guests of honor were the members Of
both houses of the Legislature.
The yearly celebration of the birthday
of General Robert f. Lee is the prime
event in the calendar of the camp. and
no effort is spared TO make it delightful
and successful All along the southern
lines the camp-hres are lighted on each
recurring January 18th in honor OF the
great leader. but no fire burns more
brightly than that of the Richmond
camp, or attracts to it more dlstin-
guished body Of men. II was night OF
great festivity a genial and whole
souled hospitality was dispensed. and
warm. indeed was the welcome extended
to all who came to pay tribute by their
presence 10 the memory OF the dead
chieftain. The feature Of the evening was
the address delivered by Captain X. ,.
Parks 1t was received with unbounded
enthusiasm. and was said by many Of
those present to be the finest eslogy ever
delivered within the walls of Lee Camp.
Following the exercises came a social
session of unrestrained mirth and good
fellowship. The good humOr of the oc-
casion was infectious and irresistible,
and even old men. whose locks We're
hoary. and whose forms were bent with
age, danced and sang. and seemed To
grow young again. Old southern melO-
dies struck pleasantly on the ear, and
the familiar songs were sung over and
over again. Refreshments were served
i'm great abundance, and the hour for
parting came all too soon.
THE FORMAL PROGRAMME.
1t was nearly quarter-past 8 O'Clock
when First-Leutenant-CO Commander a. g.
Peay. i'm the absence of Commander
I.aughton. called the assemblage 70 or
der. and in "A few words recalled the
sacred cause" which they had come to-
gether to celebrate. The Doxology was
sung by ALL standing after which Hon.
j. TAYLOR Ellyson was called upon and
offered short. but fervent. prayer for a
bensdiction upon those who had come to-
gether TO commemorate the memory OF
their chieftain, and asked that they
might follow his example. as he had en-
deavored TO follow that of his Divine
Master.
GREETINGS FROM WASHINGTON.
The following telegram from the Con-
federate Veterans Association, Of Wash
ington. d. c.. was read and received with
applause:
Washington. d. c., January 49, 1898.
r. T. Lee Camp No. /. Confederate Nete-
rams. Richmond. Va.
The Confederate Veterans Association
Of Washington assembled 10 honor the
name of our great leader, General X. r..
Lee. send loving greetings 10 their COM
rades Of Richmond. and remember win
them a VOW to keep green his memory
ROBERT !. FLEMING, President.
Adjutant j. Taylor Stratton was in
structed TO telegraph the following reply:
Richmond, Va, January l9, 1895.
Colonel Robert /. Fleming President CON-
federate Veterans Association, WASH
ington. ID. c..
r.. r. Lee Camp, Confederate Veterans,
reciprocates your kindly greeting. and
pledges eternal fidelity 20 the memory OF
our fllustrious chief,ain. \. c. PEAf,
Lieutenant Commander, Commanding.
CAPTAIN PARKS'S FINE ADDRESS.
Captain Parks was then introduced as
the orator of the evening, and was cor
daily received. After an appropriate IN
PRODUCTION. he said:
Borne on the rapid. tireless wings OF
time. nearly thirty-three years have pass
ed since guns were stacked, flags were
furled. and the southern soldier, Win
heavy heart. turned his steps homewaid.
But with every recurring spring time thc
people throughout the Southland, upon
such DAYS and at such places as may DC
fixed meet together. strew the graves vi
the dead soldiers with flowers, each leel-
ing that whatever BART he may perform.
he il engaged i'm a work made obligatory
by a lofty sense OF patriotism. Assocla-
tions OF various names have been fornieu.
all OF which have for their object ths
commemora ton OF the Confederate ueau
and the keeping green in the minds OF me
rising generation all that pertains 70 tAo