Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-12
THE NAVY H0N0RED.
COMMANDER wEBB's PORTRAIT IN
LEE CAMPS GALLERY.
INTERESTING PRESENTATION CEREMONY
Mr.. Virginius Newton the Orator of
the Occasion-Mr. n. V. Randolph
of the officer and a Review of Navy.

The picture gallery Of Lee Camp has
been enriched by the addition or f1ne
painting Of Commodore w. A. Webb, or
the Confederate navy. II was the frst
portrait Of naval officer to be hung In
that Walhalla of Confederate heroes,
and that fact, together with the an
nouncement that the presentation speech
would be made by Mr.. n. V. Randolph,
and an Grafton would be delivered by Mr..
Virginius Newton, served to bring TO-
gether a very large and distinguished
audience.
II was the regular meeting night OF the
camp, but little business was transacted
and the few routine matters, including
the reading of General Orders No. 3, Is
sued by Grand-Commander Williams, or
the Grand Camp, announcing his appoint
ments, were speedily dispatched.
THE PORTRAIT PRESENTED.
Commander Laughton then announced
the prime object Of the meeting, which,
he said, was the presentation OF Commo-
dore Webb's portrait, generously con-
tributed TO the camps gallery by Mrs.
John Purcell. sister Of the distinguished
| officer
Mr.. Randolph made the presentation
speech He said that he was glad OF the
opportunity OF presenting portrait OF
the first naval officer TO adorn the walls
of the camp, and that no man was better
entitled TO the honor than Commander
Webb. He gave a succinct outline OF that
| officers brilliant career, beginning Win
| his service i'm the Seminole and Mexican
wars. and continuing with his service 10
| the Confederacy as commander of a bat
terry of heavy artillery at Manassas, and
later as commander Of the gunboat Tea
ger. THE Confederacy never had a
tr7ler. Drawer. or more competent officer
than Commander Webb" said Mr.. Ran
dolph. cor Virginia a more devoted son
| 4 true gentleman, a genial companion
devoted 10 his country and state, MS
pleasant smile will long be remembered
! bv all who had the privilege of his friend
| ship and acquaintance"
ACCEPTED BY MIR. NEWTON.
Mr.. Virginus Newton was then Gale
upon to accept the portrait on behalf q
the Camp. He said: "Our camp make
Tonight a new and notable departure
FOR Il records the fact that We had
navy. and that navy, though small, I'll
efficient service" lie paid graceful
compliment to the cavalry arm OF IN
service. a representa- tive of which, h
said. had presented the first portrait
naval officer to the camp. He accepte
the gift in the name OF Lee Camp II
had known Commander Webb, he SAT-
and then he proceeded TO give some II
teresting personal "reminiscences. n
euIoeized the Army Of Northern Virgin
In varmest terms. and said that the nav
men bear no envy in the breasts but al
proud OF the deathless triumph OF the
great achievements. The south ma
naval officers Of experience and abilit
eouaI to that of their opponents. but b.
voud her officers she had nothing neith'
uarships merchantmen, navy-yard
sliled mechanics, or workshops. At q
| be0inning of the war the United stat
navy consisted of 30 warships, l'563 on
GERS 264 vessels of all grades, 4,OOI gun
and % 600 men 10 meet the COnfedera'
with 40 poor vessels. 400 guns. 3 cruiser
ana II so-called gunhoats. He dwelt {
the gallant service rendered by the lit
navy of the South and the usefulness
naval men who could not be assigned
active service.
COLONEL COWARDIN SPEAKS.
Colonel Cowardin. who had arrived
the hall during these proceedings, WI
invited by the commander to contriDu'
By song or speech, 10 the enter'alhhe
of the camp and its visitors. lie
sponded in a few happy remarks In VIM
he depIored the fact that he could n
, address the members Of the camp as
! comrades, for the musket he shoulder
4 in those days was about three times
large as he was. His heart had ever De
with them. he said, and he considered
I "a great and proud privilege TO be pc
e mitted TO address them. He complimei
I ed Mr.. Newton on his ornate, succin
! and beautiful address and then he sa
song dedicated to the southern ar,
; bv his brother the late James coward
{ He was loudly applauded, and respond
' to hearty encores by telling some We
n humorous stories. -,
5 Mr.. f.. II. Cloves sang several se''
: lions during the evening. being auini'a a.
accompanied by Mr.. Ernest COSBY