The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-07-04
MOSES EZ5EIEL'S GIFT
Treasured Wreath Presented "a
Virginia Military Institute.
Placed on the Flag of the victorious
battalion of Cadets "a II Return
ed From me Hattie OF New Har-
ket-AIumni Day Celebrated at Lex
iHEtOn-The Order of Exercises

LEXINGTON, Va, July Alumni day
was celebrated at the Virginia Military
Institute yesterday
The military exercises began with morn
ing parade, which was preceded by escort
to color" and then guard mounting for the
day. A salute Of twenty-one guns was
fired by the battery in honor of the alumni.
and battalion drill followed. from which
evolutions followed battle formation. lead
ing up 20 the sham battle.
The alumni assembled in the Stonewail
Jackson Memorial Hall in the afternoon in
annual bv-t.Sss meeting. The graduating
class were made members Of the society Of
alumni. The new badge to be worn by the
alumni was adopted upon the recommended
ton of J. Hammond Campbell. chairman Of
the badge committee OF the class OF 1915,
and is to be of solid gold. The design -
the small cadet button on which is Ca
dst" underneath the coat of arms Of Vir-
ginia. and under that the letters " NJ. ]. -
Around the rim is the word Alumni at
the top. while below is Nov. II, 1889"
which is the day the school opened.
routine business was transacted was the
presentation to the Virginia Military Insti-
tute, through the alumni of the wreath
which was placed on the victorious flag OF
the cadet battalion as IL returned from the
battle of New Market.
When the cadet corps passed through
Stanton on its return from the field the
young ladies of that city decorated their
white banner" with the wreath which
re al -.
dered to Richmond, where a fresh wreath
placed on the boy veterans banner, and
Color Corporal Moses Ezekiel Of Rich
mOnd placed the wreath on his arm and
wore il there until of duty, when he gave
II to his sister for safekeeping. She In
turn preserved ii intact for thirty-six
years for her brother, and that brOtht r.
now Sir Moses Ezekiel, OF Rome. Ita.y.
the celebrated sculptor. restored il TO his
alma mater.
The wreath is under glass in a frame OF
green eighteen by twenty-five inches and
rests upon grey velvet backing. fourteen
by eighteen inches symbolical OF the
Confederate grey" the wreath is six by
eight OF about eighteen inches in cir
cunIerence. and Il Oh laurel. Around Tie
wreath. beginning at the right hand upper
corner and thence down the right side. Is
traced in burnt letters. This wreath
placed on the V. NJ l. flag by the young
ladies or Staunton after the battle Of New
market 1864. Was treasured and pre-
scented b. ex-Cadet ". Ezekial. 1899" just
above the wreath Is New Market" under
IL Is - cuspide corona. May -. 1S54'-
the trahslation Of the motto being From
Sword u crown" Around the left side is
traced a spray Of passion flower beautiful
in design. All Of this work was done by
Sir ETa e lille In, h. rFs - 81
His enforced absence was greatly regretted
by the society. as it had been expected
that he would be in attendance and pre-
sent the wreath himself.
His master work, Virginia Mourning
Her Dead" Is now being cast IN Berlin
and VIII subsequently be sent to this
country. and fl is expected TO be unveiled
as q bsule and battalion monument on a
site which has been left entirely 10 the
sculptor as he donated his work 70 his
comrades in arms he has designated .
location on the western part OF the cadet
parade grounds overlooking the cadet
cemetery. where are buried eight OF the
boys who fell at the battle OF New Market
and az the same time slightly turned to-
ward Tho cadet barracks 20 the left The
UnVc.llng AZ set for ;he anniversary day.
May j.. 1901
With he adjournment OF the meeting
the alumni formed a column Of twos end
marched TO the parade grounds where the
cadet battalion, under arms, was eview-
ed. AMI ais was followed by regimenJaI
parade.
The annual banquet took place in the
cadet mess hall at 10 O'Clock. which was
largely attended. and among the number
was a large number OF ladies' Toasts 10
the Y. NJ. l., alumni ". L. L.. Virginia,
class Of 1890. United States. and women
were responded 10 by participants in hap
py impromptu speeches.
Previous 70 the alumni banquet a recep-
ton was given by the superintendent Gen.
Scott Ship. al his residence on the V. VI.
l. grounds TO the board OF visitors. alumni.
graduating class. and other visitors.
The board Of visitors. in session today.
passed upon other routine work and
continued in session until this morning
previous to the graduation exercises