The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-23

Veterans, and cape FEAR camp Ddugn-
tiers of the C~onfederacy.
Every feature of the exercises was
thoroughly successful-the military pa
rade, the address by Junius Davis,
Esq, and other ceremonies at the opera
house and the luncheon, served by the
Daughters of the C~onfederacy, in the
City Hail., to the veterans, military
companies and other participants in
the parade. The fact is, ven those
of the promoters of the celebration
most %sanguine of success were really
and quite a~greeably surprised at the
great success which was attained.
There was quite a heavy rainfall all
during Thursday night and the morn
ing of Lees birthday dawned in the
midst of weather conditions anything
but favorable for the successful rem
dering of ceremonies such as had been
planned for the day. However, as the
day advanced the aspect became more
fair, so that by the afternoon, when
the ceremonies were to occur, the
weather, while not cleared, gave such
little promise of rain as to not in the
least hinder the people from turning
out. And not a drop of rain fell while
the ceremonies were in rogresS, which
was from about 2 until $50 o'clock.
All business throughout the city was
suspended during the afternoon.
THE MILITARY PARADE.
The first feature of the ceremonies
was the military parade, the column of
which was formed in front of the Will
mington Light Infantry armory, on
Market street, between ? and 3 o'clock,
and the procession started at 3 o'clock
on a circuitOus march to the opera
house.
Captain James 1. Nets, commander
of Cape Fear Camp, United Confed-
nrnta Nnfaranc yunc of tho hand of tho
column, with DR.. w. C. Galloway, of
the Sons of Veterans, and Commander
H. II. M~cIIlhenny, of the North Caro-
lima Naval Reserves acting as aides.
The first organization in line was
the Confederate Veterans, members of
Cape Fear Camp No. 254, United Con-
federate Veterans, and quite a large
number of visiting veterans-fully 800
in all. They were under the
of Colonel F. w. Kerchner, first vice
commander of the camp. Other off,
GERS were Second Vice Commander DIR.
J. E. Matthews, Adjutant Henry Saw
age and Sergeant Major r. F. Hamme.
The Second Regiment Band followed
in the wake of the Veterans, rendering
a succession of stirring selections,
which added greatly to the spirit and
general success of the parade. Their
work was, in fact, very generally and
quite highly complimented.
Next to the band marched the Will
mington Light Infantry, under the
command of Captain c.. H. White.
Then came the Wilmington Division
Naval Reserves, under command of
Lieutenant A. B. SHIELDING and Second
Lieutenant II. NJ. Chase. The reserves
were drawing one of their largest field
cannon.
Last in the parade, but by no means
least in creditableness of appearance
and evidence of careful drilling, was
Colonel Walker Taylor's Boys Bri-
gade. They wore their new uniforms
and were commanded by Colonel Tay-
lor in person.
The line of march was down Market
street to Third, down Third to Orange,
thence to Front, up Front to Market,
up Market to Third, thence to Princess
street and the opera house.
EXERCISES IN THE OPERA HOUSE.
The opera house was literally packed
with people and very many were not
able to get ever standing room.
The stage had been appropriately
decorated for the occasion by a COM
mittee of ladies from the Daughters Of
the Confederacy-Mrs- w. M. Parsley.
Mrs. CASTOR Meares, Mrs. oshua
James and Mrs. J.. T. Rankin.
While the people were being seated
the Second Regiment Band rendered
stirring music.
FERVENT AND APPROPRIATE
PRAYER.
Captain James I. Nets, as master
of ceremonies, first introduced Rev.
Robert Strange, D. D., rector of St.
James Episcopal church, who offered
a fervent and especially appropriate
prayer. He said:
20 God, our Heavenly Father, the
high and mighty Ruler of the universe,
Who dos't from Thy throne behold all
the jewellers on earth; look down, we
VI $1,000 MI @4I
cred here to thank Thee for Thy gift
to us of Robert Edward Lee. The bat
tie has been fought, o Lord, and we
submit to the ruling of Thine All-wise
Providence; aye, we rejoice now in the
fact that the people of this fair, rich
land are one. AS our sons and daugh-
tiers grow up and their children and
children's children take their places,
may they all cherish the emo of
our great and noble leader. Give us
and them grace to honor his strength,
his fortitude and his ability, and to
initiate his truth, purity, g~entleness
and humility. So nay We the better
follow his and our Master, the Captain
of our salvation, even the Lord Jesus
Christ"
ADDRESS BY JUNIUS DAVIS, ESQ.
Following the prayer by DIR. Strange
Mr.. w. M. Cumming read quite fluent
" Father Ryan'S famous poem: Lees
Sword" and Captain Metts, by request,
read General Lees last order. Both
were listened to with rapt attention.
Captain Nets tfon introduced JuniuS
Davis, Esq, who as a scholar and vet
eran was eminently fitted to deliver the
address, having served valiently dur
ing the war between the states as a
lieutenant in Moore'S battery Of artil-
1ery.
The following is Mr.. Davis address
in full:
Confederate Veterans, Daughters of
the ~Confederacy, Comrades, Ladies
Gentlemen:
I'VE have gathered here today, my
comrades, in response to the call OF
u ccrnmander, to do our part in the
commemoration of the birthday of our
great captain, Robert e. Lee. 1t is not
only our duty, but our pleasure to pay