Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-23
WILLASSEMBLE HERE
RICHMOND TO BECOME THE REN-
nEzyOUs FOR TROOPS.
THE FACT Is NEARLY ASSURED.
Col. Stems Mission TO N"shihe'""
Relieved 10 Have Been success'"'-
old Camp Lee To Again
ue,dezvous for Soldiers.

There is the best OF IedsohS Aoi
uevinr that Richmond will be CHOSEN d.
a mint of mobilization for Virginia ana
national troops.
Colonel Jo Lane stern returned from
Washington Yesterday afternoon, whithel
ne had gone bearing letters from Gov
ernor Tyler and General Lee. urging lhdl
this CITY be selected as the place OF rem
devious.
Colonel Stern says he is not at hoefy
10 fully discuss the details of his CONVEX
sation with the Secretary of War, Gene
raj Alger. with whom ne talked for some
time. ~ that official was deeply i'm
pressed by the advantages offered oS
Richmond.
CONVERSATION WITH GENERAL
ALGER.
General Alger read the letters OF Gov
ernor TYLER and General Lee carefully
and when he came to the statement maze
by the former that 1900 troops could be
encamped on the grounds, he seemed sur
prised and asked Colonel stern II ne lelI
assured the estimate was not 100 great
Colonel Stern replied that not only was J..
adjoining upon which tents could De
ritched for a much greater number.
The reply of General Alger was such
AS 10 leave little doubt that Richmond
will be selected as the place OF renoez-
vous for national troops, as well As those
Of Virginia.
GOVERNOR TYLER GRATlFlED.
Governor Tyler last night was greatly
pleased at the prospect OF the re-estap-
Ushment of a camp of rendezvous on the
site OF old Camp Lee, long used Tor that
purpose by The Confederate Government.
II cannot Say that the selection is GER
tain" he said, but / have assurances
which lead me TO believe that old camp
Lee will become a rendezvous Tor troops
who will 90 forth to fight for the stars
and Stripes. instead of against IT, and
that probably the property adjoining,
owned Ia the heirs of General Winfield
Scott. the commander-in-chief Of the
Union army will be used for the same
purpose"
LETTERS FROM LEE AND TYLER.
Following are the letters from Governor
Tyler and General Lee, which Colonel
Stern carried to General Alger:
Richmond Va, April q, 1898.
To the Honorable Secretary of War
Washington. ID. c.:
Lane Stern, Assistant lnspector-Genera
of Virginia Volunteers is commissioned
TO Offer as place for rendezvous OF the
United States troops the use of the Fair
Grounds property, situated IN the sub
urbs Of this city, containing sixty acre:
Of ground, on which is a pavilion anc
other buildings, capable of accommo
dating 1900 troops. The buildings and
grounds are well supplied with water
from the City Water-Works, and will
electric-lights.
The grounds are most admirably suite'
for such purposes. i am directed by tn
owners OF this property TO tender its us
TO the United States Government 70
the purpose above indicated, free o
charge.
| have Just had q consultation VIII
General Fitzhugh Lee, who heartily ap
proves of this place as rendezvous 10
troops. and ne most earnestly hopes tina
the offer will be accepted.
Colonel stern will present the advan
tages Of this site and the facilities 10
transporting troops from this place owe
the various railroads southwark and t
the coast.
IL would seem not Inappropriate tina
the troops for the defence Of our coun
try should be assembled at this point
The people Of our city and State exten'
a most cordial invitation to the troop
that may be sent among Us. 1 have tn
honor 10 be
Your obedient servant
(SigneD }. HOGE TYLER.
Governor Of Virginia
General lee wrote as follows:
Richmond Va. April p. 1898.
Hon. r. A. Alger. Secretary OF WaI
Washington, ID. c.:
Sir.-I have the honor 20 introduce I
you Lieutenant Colonel 10. Lane Sterr
Inspector General OF Virginia Stat
troops. who bears communication fror
the Governor OF Virginia in referenc
to making the city OF Richmond a poir
OF rendezvous for the concentration q
troops. For many reasons the selectio
OF this city for such a purpose woul
be most appropriate. and from this plac
railroads run to all points of the Soutl
have the honor 20 be with great respe'
Your obedlent servant.
(Signed) FITZHUGH LEE
Since 1t has become practical ce
tainty that General Lee is TO receive
major-g generals commission, II a b.
icved that his division, at least. ~ !
made up here. and 1t is probable tn;
Richmond will also be made the rende.
yous for troops from the North and Yves