Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-01-20

As had been anticipated, the celebra-
ton of the 92nd anniversary of the
birthday of General Robert E. Lee last
night by R. E. Lee Camp was joy
Gus occasion, and it was the general
expression OF all present that nothing
had been left undone which could in
the least have augmented the pleasure
of the occasion. The celebration took
place in Odd Fellows Hall, on north
Columbus street, and the banquet hall,
which is on the first floor, mad been
beautifully and tastefully decorated,
while Mr.. h. P. Helwig, proprietor
Of the Exchange Hotel, who was
| the caterer, had spread table which
! would have tempted the gods. The
! banner of the camp, which bears por-
trait of General Lee, had been spread
on TIE south side of the hall, and Con-
federate and United States flags were
| placed in many places, while ferns anG
poited plants were in profusion.
The camp met at their hall, corner
of Prince and Fairfax streets, at hail.
4 past seven o'clock, and about half All
! hour later marched to Odd Elbow
Hall, accompanied by their guest
| The command was in charge If l. eu-
tenant Commander A. G. Wyckof, aud
after reaching the hail and all had been
! assigned their positions at the tables,
| Comrede K. Kemper invoked a bless
ing upon the bouutiful spread. The
company having become seated the
following menu was discussed with a
| relish:
Blue point oysters, fried oysters,
picked oysters, celery, olives, mixed
pickles, celery sauce, roast turkey,
cranberry sauce, cold tenderloin roast
beef, cold ham, tongue, chicken, lob
ster aud potato salads, Saratoga chips,
cream waters. Roquefort and American
beauty cheese, currant and ounce
ijellies, charlotte iusse, cocosuut, car
amel and chocolate cakes, bananas
oranges, apples. Malsga grapes, cigars
cafe noir and punch.
! The feast lasted about half IN houc,
after which exhiIiarating punch wa.
circulated together with choice cigars
Lieutenant-CommanderWy ckof, who
presided, finally raped the assembly
to order, when Adjutant E. Il. O'Brieu
read letters from General G. W. c. Lee
and others regretting their inability to
be present; also greetings from Confede
rate Veterans Camps ia other cities.
| The first toast announced was "Our
Great commander, Robert E. Lse-Ha
obeyed the call of law and duty. His
courage was sublime. His eeneralship
was masterful. He was always a sol.
der. He was obedient to authority as
servant and royal in authority as q
! king. He was as gentle as woman in
life, and pure and modest as virgin in
/ thought"
! Mr.. T. G. Pitcher responded in tie
absence Of Bo1. John S. Rhea, of Ken
lucky, who WAS unable to be present
Mr.. Pitcher, in his easy and pleasant
! manner, entranced the audience with
the picture he drew of the great chief
| tain. He began by saying it was his
! greatest pleasure to meet with MS
old comrades of war times, as there
was fellowship existing between all
who wore the grey which nothing
could obliterate. 1t was fellowship
of love which was enduring, and would
last as long as life continued. And it
was right and proper that such should
be the case; no men ever fought with
such Yalor: The younger generation
should understand this love- As COL
lege days lifeslong friendships were often
formed, and why should not those who
for four years frsternizsd in the chances
of war love each other q thousand
times more? The speaker turning more
diree ly to his theme, The great chief
tain, said he had no apologies to make
for following such an ideal man as
Robert E. Lee, who commanded
through the love his soldiers bore for
him. There was no such parallel 10
all history. His thoughts went
back to days OF old when the long line
of tattered and torn soldiers were fol
lowing the man who stood pre-eminent-
iy above all others in their affections.
His mere wish was enough command
for them. Mr.. Pitcher graphically de
scribed the scenes at the Wilderness
and Spotsylvania, when General Lee
placed himself at the head Of the Army
of Northern Virginia and gave the COM
mend to advance, These were the only
instances where he was not obeyed
with alecrity. Ills devoted followers
refused to move until he went to the
rear, and in order TO get him there it
was necessary to take hold of mis- horses
bride and lead him from the field
His presence was always inspiration for
his soldiers The speaker closed with
much pathos, and was loudly ap-
plauded.
1.-THE Confederate Soldier" was mex,
announced, when Hon. Robert Z
Burke, of Texas, rose. Mr.. Burke,
after the applause bad ceased, began
his speech by thanking the camp for
the invitation which had been extend
ed him to be present, also expressing
his qualification at being in the com
paDy of ex-Confederate soldiers. AL
though stranger to nearly every one
present, he felt that ne was in the house
of his friends, as he always felt at home
with old "Confeds." He said he had
an interest in old Virginia, as some of
his blood was in her soil, while one
near and dear of his owe blood now
mingles with her dust. He, like ali
who followed the fortunes Of the Cor,
federacy. did so for the love of the
cause, but he felt his inability to re.
spond in 8 filing manner to such
theme as that of tie Confederate
Soldier" "What memories" asked
the speaker, "exist from 1861 to 1862"
Mr.. Burke very graphically and touch
ingly described The Confederate soldier