The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-23
SUCCESSFULLY GIVEN LAST NIGHT By
WILMINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY TO
CONFEDERATE VETERANS.
Held. in the w. L. l.. Armory, Which
Was Decorated With Especial Taste
and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Notable
Features-An Excellent Smoker"
Menu Served-Pipes and Tobacco as
Souvenirs-Every Guest Accorded a
Jolly Good Time.

entertainment last night by
he members of the Wilmington Light
Infantry at their handsome and well
appointed ar1nory on Market street,
the occasion being a smoker compli-
mentary to the veterans. Features OF
the evening were a sumptuous and ele-
gantly served repast. a number of
Happy impromptu speeches and a gen.
eraI spirit OF hearty fellowship and
good cheer which pervaded not only
the gallant young hosts (the Will
mington Light Infantry, but the gray
haired. tried and true veterans as
web.
through an efficient special committee.
made elaborate preparations for the
smoker" The special decorations
were elaborate and tasteful to an es-
pecially' high degree.
ELABORATE SPECIAL DECORA-
TONS. !
There was a blending of the national
and confederate colors and flags in the
decorations in all the apartments. A
number of large confederate and Unit
ed States flags were tastefully ape
in the hallway. The assembly room
on the right of the entrance was con-
yerted into an improvised ~banqueting
hall for the veterans and the reading
room on the left of the hall was sim
ilarly arranged for the Of the
Light Infantry
Notable features of the decorations
in the room arranged for the veterans
were the draping of large confederate
flags on the wall just back of the ros-
trum. In the center of this drapery
was a picture of General Robert E.
Lee, surrounded by miniature confed-
crate flags. To the right and left were
the pictures of General Joseph e.
Johnston and General Lees staff On
the platform under these were two
stacks of guns across, which was sus-
pended the Wilmington Light Infantry
Company banner and under it was the
rapid fire gun brought here in Novem-
Der, 1898. 1t was prettily decorated
and was labeled 1.-The Buck Kenan,
November 10, 1885," A picture of Cap
tain Kenan was also appropriately
placed near the gun. On the side wall
to the right Of the rostrum was a pic
ture of Captain T. C.. James and to
the left that of Capt. n MacRae.
oyer the latter picture was one of the
late George H. Cardwell, a former
president of the Wilmington Light
Infantry. In the south end of the hall,
on the arch just over the company's
'gun cage" was a good likeness of
General Stonewall Jackson. 1t was
surrounded with confederate flags,
which draped prettily about the arch.
The big iron gun cage just beneath 1t
was uniquely decorated with red.
the bars. There were wide draper
les of red. white and blue bunt-
ing draped diagonally from the four
corners Of the hall and the pillars on
either sic were wrapped, one white
and blue and the other in red and
white Bamboo and other evergreens
were also used to good effect. Con-
spicuous on the mantle to the left of
the entrance was a large picture or
the Wilmington Light Infantry in gray
uniform, taken during the captafncy
of John H. Daniels.
These allure of decorations, COM
bined with numerous others just as
prettr, too numerous to mention,
when flooded with the mellow
light from the chandeliers, in
some and appropriate environments for
the feast prepared for the veterans of
the lost cause"
In the room prepared for the Will
mfngton Light Infantry to feast the
decorations were just as appropriate,
though not nearly so elaborate. There
was the same happy blending Of the
confederate and national flags and COL
OTIS. Draped across the south end of
the room was a North Carolina ban
ner bearing the dates TITS and May
20, 1861.
In both rooms tables were ta~stefully
spread with about 120 plates. For the
admirable preparations n successful
contamination Of the smoker the
lions share of the credit is due to the
special committee consisting of Presi-
dent George P. Jones. Vice President
N. Il. Chilean, Captain r. N. Sweet
(honcrary member of the company.
Sergeant Hall Whitney and Private ]
ID. Woodward
SERVING THE FEAST.
The veterans AND Light Infantry
men assembled about $3.50 o'clock. The
two tbrnpanies formed in separate
line or the armory grounds. the vet
Grams under the command Of Captain
James /. Nets and the Wilmington
Light / Infantry under Captain c. 81.
White. Captains White n Nets
marched abreast into the armory, fol-
lowed b., the veterans and infantry
men mar timing abreast in slime to the
strains OF t~'Carolina" as played ON the
piano by MIR. James A. Reilly. When
thew filed tnto the armory the veterans
and a mum her of the infantrymen were
ushered to seats In the veterans room
and the rel Eainder of the Wilmington
Light Infar TRY into the room on the
opposite sid T.
When all l Ad been seated at the ia
bles Captain white in a few we'll cho-
sen sentences bade the veterans and
other guests Welcome on behalf of the
Wilmington L light Infantry, and Cap
tain James 1. l detts, commander Of the
Cape Fear Can UP of Veterans. and
Colonel A. M. waddefl made enthusi-
ally received responses. Follow
ing these responses there were well
rendered musical selections. the Will
-mington Light Infantry Quartette,
composed OF Mesers. Peck. Virgins,
jones and Whitney. rendering MY
Creole Sue" in a way which ELECTED a
hearty encore; and the Wilmington
Light Infantry mandolin club. compos-
ed OF Messrs. Stevenson. Hatch, Pin
ner and Virgins, rendered a selection
which was well received.
SERVING THE EDIBLES.
At the conclusion of h musical
lumber of the programme he supper
service began. There were oysters on
the half shell and ether edibies which
90 to make good ali-round courses for
n~rokor Naffooo hla