The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-19
GEN. LEEON THE
COMING STRUGGLE
Sons ofthe South and North to Fight
Side BY Side.
DUTY OF THE NATIONAL GUARD.
General Lee Makes an Interesting
Speech to Lee Camp on the Occasion
ofthe Eighteenth Anniversary
ofthe Organization last Night

one Of the most enthusiastic meetings of
its career.
The Sons OF Veterans Camp had gem
erously donated its evening with Lee
Camp Hall. and the handsome place was
crowded to its utmost capacity.
Through the anticipation Of a visit from
General Fitzhugh Lee, Consul General
TO Cuba, the opening OF the session was
delayed for half an hour.
Commander John II. Laughton opened
the session, and after an impressive
prayer by Chaplain Smith. stated the
object OF the meeting. announcing that a
varied entertainment was I'm store for
those present.
II was moved that the adjutant read
the minutes Of the first meeting Of April
IS. 1888. which was accordingly done to
the edihcation of all.
Major Brander called upon Major RAN
dolph to speak upon the history OF the
camp
Major Randolph stated that he had
come as a spectator. and not TO speak.
He was therefore not prepared He said
however, that Lee Camp Association was
very dear 20 him. He humorously said
that Of all who were left OF the 5000 who
went out of Richmond in the war, most
had joined the camp.
Major Randolph then went OH TO recall
10 the minds OF those present the scenes
OF the first few sessions OF the camp.
More THAI one thousand camps had
sprung from the organization Of Lee. A
dozen soldiers homes had been built with
other worthy things done. lie thught
that to-day there was n great feeling OF
fraternity now than there was fifteen
years ago
Thirty. eight men had organized Lee
Camp and now the enrolment In all
the camps was 10000
NO DRY LAND SAILOR.
Lieutsnan Commander Peay again call
ed on Captain Curtis.
He said that he would take the star
board side Of the speaking.
He denied having been n dry land
sailor In the war
He thought that In the coming oppor-
tunity that the people of the South would
show that as brave and efficient South
ern sailors existed as did soldiers or SAIL
ors in North or South in the civil war
He drew out the difficulties in man
ming a shin in war time and stated that
considering her opportunities the south
had displayed her mettle in the navy
Captain Curtis emphasized the fact that
the first torpedo made was by Confed-
crate saiior-Captain Hunter Davidson
CAPTAIN Clark was called on next. but
on arising said that everything he wanted
10 say had been said by his old dry iahd
sailor" friend Captain Curtis.
He defended the Southern sailor how
ever. IN an able manner before he sat
down. III.
Comrade BEDFORD called comrade Polk
Miller 10 talk while the audience waited
for General Lee. ,,.,.
C,omrade Miller responded in his always
happy manner and recited the peau'ii"i
poem Tho Last Old Gray
With the close OF the effective recital.
Major Randolph proudly entered the nan
bringing in his wake. General Lee IL
vas as il pandemoneum had loosened us
fasteninas. Every old vet rose 10 MS
feet and yelled himself hoarse' ana
when wells had lost their virtue. General
Lee was taken into arms bodily ana TOT
twenty minutes a wild scene reiSneu'
which included every mode OF ehthusiaS-
ism. ... -,
calling out: Mister Lee, have you nearu
polk Miller"
Mr. MAler and his superb string band
we're brought out and set all feet 10
MstoP Randolph whispered to General
lee the request that he sing, and display
his notedly fine voice, but General Lee
declined and shouted 70 the orches'rd
eco on. Go on" The orchestra went on
| This time with AlksAlnttS Ai"fNAiN''
one OF the old comrades who was n
member OF the cavalry arm OF the SER
vice shouted. Go on Miller. II the Span
iards heard you play there'd be no war.
General Lees reply created a roar OF
| laughter. He said boys, II you want
20 have an easy time join the cavalry
polk Miller and his band. assisted ma
terially by Captain Cunningham and Mr.
| Poiadexter. the latter who sang, "ho'
| Time" continued the music.
General Lee asked Captain Cunningham
during one OF the intermisslons II he was
going 10 war and X he would sing star
Spansled Banner
CAPTAIN Cunningham replied that he
was going 10 the war but he would carry
a Confederate flag IN his pocket The
answer brought the laughs in plenty.
Captain Cunningham then sang the
star Spsngled Banner"
Polk Miller and bis band followed with
| Bonnie Blue Flag General Lee and all
the boys Joined in both choruses.
POLK Miller asked General Lee: Gene
| raj. they say all coons look alike 10 me.
How do the Cubans look2'
They look alike 10 me" lau2hingly
responded General Lee, while the hearers
roared.
Mr.. Poindexter then sang. "All Coons
| Look Alike" the audience applauding vo-
| ciforouslv
| GENERAL LEES GUARDED" TALK.
Commander Laughton pleasantly called
upon General Lee to speak and 10 give
| expression 20 guarded" remarks.
General Lee smilingly complied. After
the cheer had subsidized General Lee
shouted: Turn out the guard I'm goinG
10 make some guarded remarks.
He then went on 20 EXPRESS the COM
| fort he felt when among Confederate sol
diers and stated that he was reminded
Of the progress the camp had made In Its
| fifteen years. II struck him as funny
that these boys should be singing the
Star Spangled Banner when they had In
| 1861 fought so hard against IL.
There never was a band that fought
| against that flag harder than you boys"
| no said. "and here you are singing, Star
| cDangled Banner" The thought made
| him feel good. and the tear born OF the
| throbbing OF his grandly patriotic heart
| threatened 10 spill over.
do you know what did asked the
General.
when 1 went 10 Cuba some one hand
cd me a beautiful silk American flag, and
| the first thing did was to pin that ban
ner across the head OF my bed. When
went 10 bed at night the last thing saw
I'm the twilights last cleaning was that
flag. And in the morning when l got up
the first shoots OF dawn gave proof that
| the flag was still there
I'VE fought In n cause we knew TO be
right" continued General Lee "and we
made a magnificent record. ! have never
| read OF such a fight as We made then"
THE COMING STRUGGLE.
p,ts a., tho coming struggle things wouil