Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-07-31
THE MosBY REUNION.


Battalion of Virginia Cavalry, better
known az "Mosby's men," took place
at Lcesburg yesterday. The affair was a
decided success in every particular.
The ladies of Leesburg had made elabo-
rate preparations for the entertainment
of the survivors of this command.
Tables had been erected in the yard Of
the courthouse, and elaborate prepare
tons had been made for an open-alr
banquet mt the noon hour. Their plans
were seriously interfered with by the
drilling rain, and convenient store
house across the street was secured and
the veterans were amply provided with
the MONDAY meal, served by the lead
ing ladies of the town.
The morning session of the camp was
called to order by John II. Alexander
of Leesburg, the commander of Mosby
Camp, and after the reports of commit
tees upon the erection of monuments to
commemorate the heroism of fallen COM
rades. a communication from the mayor
and town council of Culpeper, inviting
the organization to meet at Culpeper for
the tenth annual reunion was read. The
invitation was unanimously accepted and
committee appointed to confer with
the mayor and town council and arrange
for the date of the next meeting.
One of the pathetic events of the re-
union was the calling of the roll of Com
pany A, Forty-third Battalion, OF
Mosby's men, from an old muster roll
for July and August, 1864. The worn
old document was handed to Commander
John II. Alexander, who read the names
of the members of the company. The
responses to the roll call were few.
After the roll call the election OF
officers for the ensuing year resulted in
the choice of Joseph Bryan, editor OF
the Richmond Times, as commander;
Rev. Sidney G.. Ferguson, first vice
commander; Stacy Bisphan, second vice
commander; Hugh McIllhenny, third
vice commander; Landon r. Mason,
chaplain; Henry $. Ashby, adjutant and
secretary.
Following the election of officers briei
addresses were made by Commander
Joseph Bryan, Col. +. V. White,
and Capt. j. w. Foster, after which the
meeting adjourned until 3p. M.
At the afternoon session songs of the
Southland were sung. Capt. Frank
Cunningham, Confederate veteran, led
the singing. After singing "Bonnie
Blue Flag" "Annie of the Vale, y
"Fairy Belle" and Take Me Home, "
Rev. Sidney G.. Ferguson related in a
dramatic manner his personal re-
miniscences of the Mount Carmel fight,
February 10, 1864.
After the narrative of Rev. Mr.. Fer
guson the assembly joined in singing
f'Hard Times Come Again No More. "
Mr.. Ashton Lake was then introduced,
and recited in m effective manner GLOW
Salvador Won"
The introduction of Col. William II.
Chapman, the second officer in command
of the Forty-third Virginia Regiment,
resulted in round after round of applause
from the comrades who had served with
him. Colonel Chapman attempted to
address the audience, but the Leesburg
band commenced playing outside, and
with a few remarks Colonel Chapman
asked to be excused from further speak
ing.
After singing "Good-By" the audience
joined heartily in singing the doxOlogy
and Commander Bryan at 4:30 p. m,
declared the camp adjourned sine die.
Among the important business trans
acted at the meeting was the appoint
ment of committee to take the feces-
sary steps to have the association given
Il place among the camps of Confederate
Veterans, the organization being the
only separate camp that has not united
with the general organization of Confeder-
ate camps.
Among the visitors to the reunion were
Miss Mosby, a sister of Colonel Mosby;
Mrs. Charles Russell, of Washington,
also a sister Of Colonel Mosby, and Miss
Ada Mcs5y, adaughter of Colonel Mosby
The registration of survivors at the re-
union number l05, theinclement weather
doubtless preventing the attendance ola
large number, for the rain was falling
during the entire day, and many who
had fully expected to be present were
prevented at the last moment from coming.
At the first reunion of Mosby's men
in this city nine years ago, Colonel Mosby
was present, and addres, ed his men.
The occasion was an affecting one. The
old commander broke down and wept
and it was with considerable difficulty
he uttered what he had purposed to say.