Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-09-12
THE FAIRFAX CELEBRATION.

! day and held grand reunion. 1t
wss a gala day for Fairfax. The town
was bedecked with flags and bunting,
and many distinguished exConfeder-
ates were present. Much to the re.
greet OF all, Col. Mosby, who is now in
California, Was unable TO be present.
Not since the civil war has there
been such gathering OF people at Fair
fax. At early dawn they began pour
ing in from all directions, 10 all sorts of
vehicles, from the family carriages and |
six-horse omnibuses to the farm wagon |
filled with the country people. Across |
the streets in various places large Con-
federste flags were hung. The day |
was exceedingly warm and close, |
but the programme was carried out.
Shortly before eleven O'Clock, as |
stated in the Gazette yesterday, the |
procession formed 10 front OF the Meth
odist church, with Capts. j. E. Willard |
and J. o. Berry as marshals, and pro-
ceeded to the cemetery in the following |
order Music, detachment of Camp
Mari, Capt Joseph Cooper; survivors
of MosbV's men, survivors of the Sixth
Virginia cavalry, Mari Camp, Conted-
crate veterans; Confederate veterans
from Alexandra, Washington Bal
timore and neighboring counties; Fair
fax veterans of the late Spanish war,
Thrift Camp, Sons of Confederate vet
erens, and citizens generally. The line
moved down Payne street to Main, and
thence to the Confederate monument,
where dirge was rendered by the
band. Rev. s. Ferguson, of Mosby's
command, offered prayer, and then
Judge J. M. Love introduced Mr.. Rob-
ert E. Lse, j., who delivered an ad-
dress full of the sentiment and psthos
of the occasion. He said that the Con.
federacy lived once more for moment,
recalled in all its anguish. The line
then returned to the court house.
where MIR. Il. Walton Moore welcomed
the visitors. Dinner was served later,
and the veterans sat down to a
bountiful repast, which had been
spread for them on tables under the
trees 10 the courthouse park. Large
numbers of visitors were also entertain
ed at the hospitable homes of the resi-
dents of Fairfax.
After dinner the crowd resssembled
around the platform when General
Epps Hunton was introduced and ad
dressed his old comrades.
A poem, written for the occasion by
Mr.. Gordon, was read by Mr.. K. Walton
Moore. 1t was dedicated TO Mosby's
battalion.
Senator John w. Daniel was then
introduced and addressed the assem-.
blage Tor over an hour. He spoke in
the most complimentary manner of the
heroic deeds of the Confederate soldiers,
naming especially the Seventeenth Viz
ginia Regiment, the Sixth Cavalry and
Mosbys Men. la closing, he paid
touching aud impressive tribute to the
memory Of S.onewsll Jackson, w. II.
F. Lse and the late ex-Congressmau E.
E. Meredith.
The next speaker WAS General Fitz
hugh Lee VINO has just returned from
Cuba. 10 Ills familiar style he talked
of his boy hood days in Fairfax county,
when he wouli ride to toe courthouse
horseback, and also of the later AMI
more eventful days from 1861 to 1865
Refer ing to recent history, he spoke
with pride OF the fact that the AmeIi-
can flag hoated over Porto Rico and
the islands of the Pacific. He did not
think that it should he hauled down in
the Philippine islands while it was
being fred upon by the Filiplnos.
The next speaker was Attorney
General A. J. Montague. His speech
was short, but Was one OF the best OF
the day. He said that the sacrifice
and hesoism displayed by the men and
women of Virginia during the four
trying years of the civil var might well
bs emulsted by the young Virginians
of today and put into practice for pure
and honest government.
Mr.. Cnsnning Smith then spoke in
behalf of Mosby's men and was follow
81 by Mr.. J NJ Johnson, of this city, {
who responded for the Sixth cavalry to
the address of welcome. Mr.. Johnson's
speech WAS indeed an excellent one
and be received hearty applause and
congratulations.
Gov. Tyler, who had just arrived
was then introduced and spoke for
about ten minutes 10 a humorous vein,
after which he meeting adjourned.
The reunion closed yesterday after
noon, but msny remained to witness
the horse show today and tomorrow.
Gen. w. H. Payne was present and
all regretted that be did not speak,
Oae of Col. Mo 'by's daughters, Miss
Ada, and two of mis- sisters, Miss Wiz
ginia Il. Mosby and Mrs. Russell, OF
Washington. we're present.
Among the other distinguished
guests present were Gen. l.. l. Lomsx,
Col. Arthur Herbert, Col Edmond {
Berkeley, Col. w. H. Chapman, Col. F.
l.. Smith, ; ate Senators Fairfax and
Morris, Delegate Ryan and 4 number OF
Others. A large number of Alexau-
drians attended the reunion.
Capt. Joseph E. Willard gave
splendid reception last night at the
new Willard Hall in honor OF the old
Confederstes and their guests. Not an
incident occurred to mar the perfect
success OF this delightful occasion. Both
guests and hosts appear much graft {
fed at the success of the reunion.