Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-01-21
FORTY YEARS AFTER.


ANNUAL BANQUET OF X. K. LEE CAMP
OF CONFEDERATE vETERANs--CELE
BRATIoN OF GENERAL LEES BIRTH
DAY--INTEREsING AND THRILLING
ADDREssEs-AN ENJOYABLE COCA
SION.
IL is generally admitted that the ban
quet given Saturday night by X. i. Lee
Camp Of Confederate Veterans of this
city in honor oil the birthday OF General
Robert Il. Lee was one of the most
enjoyable ever given by this organiza-
ton, and there have been many happy
affairs IN by-gene years. 1t was sue
csssinl IN every particular, and Inc
recollectioDs will 90 down in the his
tory of tho camp as such. Everything
that could have been suggested for the
entertainment and enjoyment Of Gil en-.
gage had been anticipated and there
was not the slightest hitch, misunder-
standing or omission 10 call forth re.
greet or explanation. Mr.. Thomas
Perry, chairman of the committee,
labored earnestly, and bis endeavors
were crowned with success.
The members OF the camp met
promptly, according to notice, at their
hall at hslf-past seven o'clock and q
few minutes later marched to the Hotel
Appich where the feast was to be held.
The capacious double parlors had been
handsomely decorated and the tables
snrao6 orftctioaltu a v a in A ,,,out In nil
Jog manner and literally loaded with
choice delicacies. Confederate flags
and streamers were in profusion, as
were also the national ensign, while
pictures of Davis, Lee, Jackson, Lafay-
cite end others looked down upon the
scene. The banquet this year was held
in more central part of the city--one
square from Christ Church, where both
Washington and Lee worshipped the
Supreme Architect of the Universe,
| and an equal distance from the lone
| figure who has stood for nearly eleven
years with barred head signifying SUBJ
mission to the inevitable. Where the
silent figure with dotted cap stands Is
the spot where forty years ago Alexan.
drisns who had resorted to the sword
TO defend homes and firesides babe
hssty adjeux to fathers, mothers,
| brothers, sisters. eweethearts and
homes in order to fight the battles OF
their country. Numbers whose names
appear on the base OF that monument
were destined never to return, and the
corporal's guard of those now remain.
| ing In the land OF living, having es.
| capped death 10 the clash OF war and the
scythe OF the silent reaper during the
Two score years which have followed,
composed the bulk of those who sat
around the festive board Saturday
night and recited "reminiscences OF the
four years war, including many thrill
log scenes through which they had
passed, recitals which were drunk In
eagerly by the sons of the participants
10 those conflicts az well az others Ct
the present generation who were
present at the banquet and who
will treasure and repeat them with
as much delight as the Greeks OF cd
when they heard the songs OF Homer
and of the siege Of Troy.
About eight o'clockthe members of the
camp and invited guests filed into the
room and took their places OF the table.
Commander ]. @. Milburn raped the
company to order, and in few
appropriate remarks announced the
object OF the gathering. Comrade K.
Kemper then invoked blessing upon
the board, after which an earnest
movement was made by the assembl,ge
on the tempting viands, probably with
! vivid recollections OF the days when a
ear OF corn was all that could be pro-
cured for days rations and that not
from the commissary but by foragine;
or when the cooking utensils consisted
of a captured canteen split into two
pieces-one to be used as frying pan
and the other as q plate. As has been
| said. the pictures OF Generals Lee,
Jackson and Lafayette looked down
upon the scene, their faces illumined
by the glare of the electric lights with
which the table had been dotted by Mr..
George A. Appich, and to the thought.
tul mind suggested many things 10 con-
nection with the transition through
which the United States has passed dur
Ing the past few years. Lafsy cite, who
struggled TO keep the infant republic
from the mer(iless George III. the
Herod of 1776, aud who had lived to see
1t attain manhood, was in the company
of leaders who had fought years after to
retain principles which had been held
sacred in the days when he was 10 the
hssh. He was looking down upon q
remnant who, with no promise OF re-
ward, animated by the purest princi-
pies, had followed the fortunes OF men
who had forfeited everything 10 en-.
deavoring 10 keep the nation where
Washington left it.
Nearly an hour was occupied in the
discussion of the feast, which was
royal one 10 every particular, and after
the sine qua non OF such an occasion
punch-had been circulated and The
smoke from cigars began to curl, Com
mander Milburn sgain raped the
company to order, and introduced Hon.
John Lamb, OF Virginia, who was to
respond to the toast. General Robert
E. Lse." After the applause bad SUBJ
sided Mr.. Lamb began his address by
speaking OF historic Alexandria, es-
pecislly its connection with Washing.
ton and Lee. He then spoke feryently
Of the part Virginia played in thu days
OF the revolutionary war by bringing
forth Washington with his military prov
ress and Patrick Henry ami his elo-
quence; end then in 1861 when she
sent forth the gallant Lee to fight for
the maintenance of the PRINCIPLES fjr