Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-01-20
BANQUET LAST NIGHT.
Annual Reunion of II. f. Lee Camp
of Confederate Veterans - hoyai
Feast-Thrilling Speeches and a
Happy Occasion Generally.

FeaSt-Inrfiling speeches "hu
Happy Occasion Generally.
The banquet of X. E. Lee Camp OF
Confederate Veterans was all that had
been anticipated-an animating ana
Joyous occasion from the beginning to
the end. While some of the speakers
selected for the occasion were unable 10
be present, their numbers on the pro-
gramme we're filled by Others, most oil
whom made impromptu addresses, but
they were from the soul and their effect
at times was electrical.
Mrs. George A. Appich, who catered
for the occasion, had spread the tables
in Odd Fellows Hall in the most In
yiting manner, and the hall had been
tastefully decorated. The flag OF the
camp with the picture of General Rob-
ert Z. Lee, was prominently displayed,
as were the Confederate colors and flag
of the United States.
The members of the camp met at
their hall, corner of Prince and Fairfax
streets, at 1880 o clock and after short
session marched in body to Odd Fell
lows Hall, on north Columbus street.
where the feast had been prepared.
Upon arriving at the hall the members
and their guests, numbering one hun
dred and ten, were assigned places at
the tables, when Commander E. G.
Graham raped the company to order.
DR.. +. J. Brooke, Chaplain OF the
camp, asked blessing upon the as
semblage and the feast, in which he
feelingly alluded to the absent ones
whose homes the angel of death had so
recently visited. The company upon
being seated found themselves con-
fronted with the following tempting
menu which was in marked contrast to
the bills of fare of the bare-footed and
hungry Confederate soldiers of 1864
who we're striving to hold at bay an in
vading army.
Lynhaven Bay oysters, oyster PATHS, and
fried oysters; turkey, wine jelly, beef tongue,
filet Of bouef, autries garniture; celery
olives, sweet pickle, salted nuts, lobster ana
chicken salid saratoga chips, asparagus tips
fenc0 uItS,lnBf N"h~'i -
cream. cafe noir, punch and cigars,
The feast was prolonged for about an
hour. or until cigars were circulated,
when Commander Graham again raped
the company to order. Having secured
attention he made short but very APP
propriate address. His references to the
day, the closing act of which the camp
was celebrating, were clothed in beautl-
full language and apt illusions, while
his references to General Lee were hap
PLY conceived and much appreciated.
He called upon all present to join him
in toast ITO the memory Of Gen. Rob-
ert E. Lee, the peerless leader, the
perfect soldier, the Christian gentle
man.
"'No Drawer sword led Drawer band.
Nor Drawer bled for better land;
Or better land had cause so grand,
Orc a chief like Lee. >"
This toast was to have been responded
TO by Senator John w. Daniel, but, as
has been stated in the Gazette, he was
detained at Lynchburg by the illness OF
his son. Commander Graham read a
dispatch he had received from the Sena-
tor regretting his inability to be present
and transmitting his best wishes to his
Alexandria comrades. Like everything
Senator Daniel says or writes, the salu-
tation was pathetic and inspiring. The
commander subsequently announced that
Mr.. John NJ. Johnson would respond to
the sentiment, "To the memory of Gene
raj Robert j.. Lee" &c. Mr.. Johnson
aiose amid much applause, and when it
had ceased he began his response with
all the fervency of his soul. General
Robert f. Lee" he said, "was the great
est captain and the greatest man that
ever lived" He made many interest
ing references to facts in connection with
the civil war, especially regarding the
percentage of foreigners in the two
armies. In that of the north fifty cent,
were of foreign birth, while in the south
but two per cent. That small percent
age was composed of natives of the
Emerald Isle. His fervency increased
as he pictured the great leader under
whom he and his comrades present had
served, and in referring to the Confeder-
ate soldier he said he rejoiced in tie fact
that he vas worthy to have been sol
der under Robert f. Lee. He regarded
it of more honor than any position his
fellow-citizens could place him in. Mr..
johnson took his ecat amid much ap-
plause.
The next speaker announced was Sena-
tor James II. Berry, Of Arkansas. He
was to responded to "Th9 Confederate
Soldier
"'Only privatei No ribbon or star
Shall gid with false glory his name;
No honors for him in braid or in bar,
His legion of Honor is only a scar,
And his wounds are his roll of fame '"
The Senator bore the mark OF having
been one himself He had lost one Of
his limbs on the field of battle, and
spoke from grim experience of the hard
ships. privations and hcroism of the
Confederate soldier. He began by say.
ing he did not believe anyone could dc
the subject full justice. Glory crowned
the southern soldier in defeat. He
struggled for four long years against
fearful odds, animated by principal and
patriotism, and his heroism formed one
of the brightest pages in the history OF
the new world. The speaker referred to
Mr.. Johnson's expression Of pride
that he had been Il Confederate
soldier, and asked who would exchange
the satisfaction of having been one Of
that noble band for all the pensions the
federal government has ever granted
The great captain of the southern army
had ever enjoyed the love of his soldiers.
They loved him in life and love him in
death. They never blamed him fol
any of the miscarriages of the war as
/ ,vas the case with many of the followers