Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09

Mckee was given q cordial reception when
he stepped to the front OF the platform.
He gave q lengthy account Of the opera
lions OF the division. and being q good
speaker, held his audience throughout his
address He told Of how the division had
hrst been formed at Romney in 1861 and
then how 1t had increased Its effectiveness
until 1t became so conspicuous in the opera
lions OF the Army Of the Potomac.
Capt. McKee's description of the battle
OF Winchester and the defeat of Jackson at
kernstown was very graphic and c:eated
unbounded applause. He told Of how Jack
son had gone into that fight with 5000 men.
While the federals were credited with be-
Ing 1900 strong. there were in reality but
800. Shields division was almost COZ
tinuously battling along the picturesque
Shenandoah valley, and as a result had the
honor of engaging Stonewall Jackson very
frequently.
At the battles of Winchester and Fort
Republic the division bore the brunt of the
struggle, and for this reason these two big
victories are held in the fondest memories
by the survivors.
At Cedar mountain Capt Mckee told Of
the wounding of Col Creighton, the divi-
sion commander. He recited how the divi-
sion was hurried on to the battlefield and
while en- route thereto the colonel passed in
an ambulance AS Col. Creighton recog-
nized his own soldiers he pushed his body
half way out of the wagon and waved his
hand, urging them on to the front. Many
recalled this incident, and their enthusiasm
was unbounded when the word picture was
unfolded before them.
Tribute to the Dead.
Capt. Mckee then paid a glowing tribute
to the dead comrades Of the division. He
spoke with great feeling, and when this
part of his address had been concluded
there were no dry eyes in the tent. How
rapidly the veterans are dropping out can
be CLEANED from the fact that out Of the
sixty-nine officers of the division but twelve
are now alive.
The speaker then told of personal Incl
dent that was listened to with interest. In
1858 Shields division was sent west and
Mr.. Mckee was taken prisoner IN one OF
the numerous engagements that followed
He was sent to Libby prison. and while
there shared buttons with a comrade IN
misery. Twenty-Five years afterward, at
a reunion Of the Grand Army OF the Re-
public at Columbus, Ohio, this comrade
walked into Capt. McKee's tent and with
out word laid the button on table In
front of the speaker. 1t is needless to say
it was great reunion. and the button was
displayed, dangling from his Watcn chalh'
as reminder of the incident
Shields division was mustered out on the
south banks of the Potomac and partici-
pated in the grand review In washington
at the close of the war.
Prof D. L. Ainsworth Of Rochester, N.
Y, was then introduced by the CHAIRMAN
and after few Introductory remarks ne
read an original poem, entitled The wed
ding of the Blue and the Gray" 1t proved
a splendid effort, and the stirring appeal to
patriotism was well rendered and received
with enthusiasm.
DR.. Lawrence Wilson OF the 1th ONO VOL
unteers, which was part of Shields division,
then reviewed the work of his regiment In
the different actions, telling many stirring
as we'll as humorous incidents.
Enthusiastically Received.
General John E. Roller of Harrisonburg,
Va, a member of Hoods brigade of the
army, frequently fought aga. INST
Shields division in the Shenandoah valley,
and 1t can readily be understood that he
was given a most cordial and enthusiastic
reception after Chairman Mckee had IN
troduced him to the meeting. The general
came to Washington as the representative
of a meeting recently held in Harrisonburg,
at which cordial invitation was extended
that place during the present encampment.
After the invitation had been delivered in
most feeling manner General Roller was
urged to speak further, and for an hour
kept the veterans laughing or almost cry.
ing over the many incidents that he could
recall Of the Shenandoah valley campaigns.
He was a personal friend of General
Stonewall Jackson and recited many adven-
Cui eS duu say lISS u Lie ldLOuS COH1SO-
crate leader. He told of the many engage
ments in the beautiful valley, the hardShips
of the soldier, the brave deeds on both sides
and with what veneration Shields division
Is yet held through the entire beautiful val
ley of the Shenandoah.
AS the result of General Rollers address
it is more than likely that big delegation
from Shields division will accompany him
home tomorrow for a final look over the
many battlefields in the neighborhood of
At the conclusion of General Rollers ad-
dress the assemblage arose and the meet
ing closed with the signing of America"
Informal Reunion in Meade Tent.
Meade tent, Camp Roosevelt, rang with
earnest words of greeting and good fellow
ship this morning at 10 o'clock, when the
Reserve Volunteer Corps, the
third division of the 9Th Army Corps, gath
cred in informal reunion. The tent was
filled to overlooking with representatives of
the fifteen regiments which comprised the
reserves. Numerous speeches were made,
many of the comrades from the benches
being called upon for impromptu talks
Col. Geo. A. Woodward called the meet
ing to order and presided. The invocation
was offered by Chaplain David Wills U. S.
A. Judge ]. M. Henderson was the first