Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-20
ALL HONOR TO LEE,
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE)

CONTINUED FROM FIRSI PAGE.)
EN- troops with blankets. There was a
tine when every man in his troop. nearly.
had a blanket marked ..P r. "
C."-Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer
Corps. Those were the gentleman who
wore breast plates. I've got one Of them
al home myself said the speaker,
which I intend to present to the Confed-
crate Museum. The breastplates did not
keep US from shooting them behind
This announcement called forth sub
dued rebel yell, which brought Comman-
der Smith TO his feet. The commander was
anxious for the pictures to remain on the
walls. and he did not think this was pos
sib1e Il the veterans broke loose in con-
cert. Then, again. there were some sleep
ing children on Church Hill. This should
be considered.
Colonel Featferstone concluded his
bright talk. as he was pleased to call It,
With a glowing tribute to Southern wo-
men. No Spartan mothers ever compared
with them He knew of one mother who.
when info1ne Of the loss of her boy
remarked: .ewell, 1 have another to
send''
"And If It. had not been for the black
eyed peas the ladies Of North Carolina
gave US. verify believe we would have.
had 70 surrender earlier than we did.
he said
The Colonel took his seat amid great,
laughter and applause. -,
Commander Smith then arose and said
that the veterans were very excitab
men. and that he could not take any more
chances OF having q rebel yell waited
through the hall SO Miss Doza Mitchell
had kindly consented to sing for the old
soldiers Miss Mitchell who has a sweet
contraltc voice sang Parker's fetching
"a Gypsy Maiden. L. In response TO IN
enthusiastic encore. she gave Bishoffs
'Supposing.'
The veterans showed their appreciation.
II viii be recalled that thev d d not alwavs
have martial music to fight to as did the
Northern troops. There were times when
they did not have flute to play dirse
Or kettle drum to sound taps over a
dead cornrade.
Commander Smiths warning about the
rebel yell WIS of no avail. for Miss Mitch
eli was treated TO q fine one.
Dixie" followed. The old air probably
was never sung bv a more enthuiastic au-
djence. Colonel Featherston. Mr.. Bryan.
Commander Smith. Mrs. Bryan. Mrs. Tay-
lor Mrs. Randolph. and the entire as
semblage Joined in the chorus.
What II some of the voices quavered
little: II some Of the voices Of the old
soldiers who insisted upon Joining in the
world famed chorus did not have IS much
melody in them as they might! That did
not prevent the old song from being i'm
pressive In the extreme. and there was
more than one moist eye when the last
note OF the refrain died away. y
Decoration of the Heroes.
MI. Joseph Bryan followed with brief
address. He read the rules governing
the awards of the crosses.
There never was time he said when
q. man felt 1t more hopeless to express
what the Daughters of the confederacy
had done for them. The object of the
cross was then brilliantly set forth. What
man OF Alesander's army or Caesars ie-
eions was known in history? But the
women of the South had determined that
the soldiers Of tho South should not be
forgotten.
In concluding. Mr.. Bryan paid compli-
lnent 10 those women. just mild little
compliment It was. in which he said that
they were the noblest women that God
mad ever made. The ladies' liked that
and there were some as fair aaughters
o. the Southland as ever wore French
heels present-and they showed their APP
preaching by nearly splitting their gloves.
When Mr.. Bryan had concluded his
happy little talk, Mrs. Randolph introduce
ed the ladies who were to present the
crosses.
In doing SO. she said that they repre-
Rented the ladies' who had done every
Thing for the veterans.
These ladies, .n addition TO Mrs Ran
aoph, were Annie z. Boccck. Mrs. Joseph
ssyaa. Mrs, Parke Bagby. Mrs. Maxwell
lssske. Mrs. champe Fttzh,tgh Thornton.
and Mira Morris s. , ssss
ne SCENE that followed Is indescrtbab bic.
a hs old saldisrs the buttons on tnear
sSarss 50 ~