Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-07
THE HISTORICAL READINGS.
An Interesting Entertainment at
the jefferson Last Night


the jefferson Last Night.
The historical readings at the jefferson
last night were exceptionally interesting
and the two papers-tho one on the de-
fence of Charleston, prepared by Mrs. St.
Julian Ravenel. OF that historic city, and
the other on the life of General y. b.
Forrest. prepared by General Dabney III.
Maury-elicited frequent outbursts of ap-
plause
The entertainment was held In the west
dining room of the palatial hosiery, and
the apartment was crowded to the doors
with select gathering of ladies and gen.
tlemen. nearly all Of the visiting Daugh-
ters Of the Confederacy being present.
The room was decorated for the occasion
very tastefully, indeed. The rostrum was
erected in the alcove on the west, and
an immense Confederate battle-hag form
ed the background. while two smaller
flags, draped on either side, gave
charming effect 4 large bed OF white
chrysanthemums, with American Beauty
roses on top, was massed in front, and
behind these the readers stood.
The entertainment was given 10 the
regents and vice regents by the Confed-
crate Memorial Literary Society, and was
under the direction OF Mrs T. c. Minor,
the first vice-president. The John G.
Renhardt Orchestra d!scoursed sweet
music, and Colonel Wilfr6d e. Cutshaw
acted as master of ceremonies. During
the evening Polk Miller and a quartette
renderedtwo songs.
DEFENCE or CHARLESTON.
Promptly at 9 o'clock Colonel Cutshaw
called the gathering TO order, and In a
few words presented Mrs. Thomas Pinck-
ney, Of Charleston. s. c., who read the
paper on the defence Of Charleston
which had been prepared by Mrs. Rave
mel. The paper was highly interesting.
and as the deeds of heroism participated
in by the Confederate forces around
Charleston were recited, the audience
was worked up 10 a high pitch Of enthu-
sasm, and frequently applauded. In the
outset the paper gives a graphic account
Of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, de-
scribing wildly the interesting moment
when the first shell went shrieking
through the air TO find Judgment against
tho stone easements.
Subsequent events were thrillingly
sketched, and General Gilmore, the Fed
eral commander, was rather severely CEN
sured for firing upon the city of Charles
ton without first giving time for the wo-
men and children TO be removed. Clio
rious tribute was paid General Beaure-
gard by the paper, and mention was
made Of the heroism OF Major Elliott,
who. with a handful of men, held Sumter
against the Federal fleet and resisted
frequent attacks in most effective man
ner. The paper told interestingly of the
expediment made with torpedo-boats in
the harbor, and concluded with a detail
ed account of the evacuation of the city
and the forts.
THE LIFE OF FORREST.
After the paper had been read Mr.. Mil
Ter and his quartette sang the Bonnie
Blue Flag" and I'm 'Gwine Back to
Dixie" When they had concluded Mrs.
James r. Werth read the paper on the
life OF Forrest prepared by General
Naury. The deeds of valor of this gall
liant soldier were given in detail, and high
tribute was paid him as a soldier, and
especially as a tactician. The paper fol-
lowed the brilliant General through the
war. and described minutely some Of the
manoeuvres Of his army. Stress was laid
on the modesty OF Forrest, and In the
paper the General is quoted "a saying, in
response to an inquiry as TO how he
achieved 50 many victories: Il dunno,
except that I always get thar fust and
with more men,
Both papers were spoken OF In the
highest terms Of praise by those who
heard them. and they will be filed away
in the archives of the Museum
SOME OF THE GUESTS.
Messrs. Thomas w. Brander and f.
Leslie Spence, Jr.. acted as ushefs du-
ring the evening Among those present
wero Governor and Mrs. Tyler, Mrs.
Smythe, Miss Hannah Smythe, Mr.. ana
Mrs. William Tompkins, Mr. ana Mrs
Bernard Peyton, Mr.. and lrs. Bromm;
Mrs. KEN and Mrs. Thomas, of Phila-
delphia; Mr.. Bernard Peyton, Mrs. j.. j..
Lewis, Miss Elizabeth Townes' Mrs Johh
Potts. Mr.. Samuel Brockenbroueh, MISS
rifzaheth Christian. Mr. Gray M0seley;
Miss Richardson. of Chicago Mrs. c. W.
y Brock Mr.. Morgan Robinson, tho
Misses Thurston, Of Gloucester MIS-
Jackson Guy. Mrs. Palmer, Miss Roberta
Minor. Hon. ]. Taylor Stratton, Miss An
ME Gordon. Mrs Matthew Peasants;
Mrs Thomas and daughter OF Philadel-
phia: Mrs. George de Beuville KEN. Mrs
Hugh NJ. Taylor, Miss Jane Rutherfoord'
Mrs. Fsteu. of Lexington; Mrs. James T.
Holsev. Of Germantown, Pa; Miss Car
rio Minor. Mrs. Ladonia Dashlell. Mrs.
lanes Werth. Miss Nina Randolph, MIS-.
Van Doren. Mrs. George W Mayo Mrs
Graham Hobson, Miss Sailie Hobson,
Mrs lanes A. WEIGH, Mrs. McPhoil, MI.
and Mrs. Robert Blankenship Mrs ).
Finders Robinson, Miss Leila Gray MIS-
David Porter Guest. Mrs. j. Allison
Hodges. Mrs. Mason and Mrs. Hewitt o.
philadelphia Miss Bessie Wight, MISS
PAYNE Mrs. George Wayne Anderson
- ,,.o., oe DafarCnurw