Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-01-20
CONFEDERATE VETERANS.

I'M
Tho new home of R. E. Lee Camp Of
Confederate Veterans was aglow last
night. There was no sound of reyelry,
but Alexandria's beauty was gathered
there to welcome and entertain Exon
federates and their friends, and the
pleasant feature their presence impaired
would be difficult of description. The
frost king reigned without over ice-bound
streets, and a square east the silent hg-
ure which has stood for fifteen years on
the spot where over two score years ago
the Alexandria boys bid adieu to home,
relatives and friends was still keeping his
vigil, as silent as the stars above his
head. The survivors of the Army OF
Northern Virginia, bedecked with their
medals Of honor, were vending their
way through the night air to the cheerful
camp fire which was radiating in their
new home. Heretofore these apnual
reunions have been held in public houses
and halls; this year the comrades and
their friends gathered in their own home
and around their own Preside.
The Ladies' Auxiliary with their
deft hands had made all things ready. A
tempting menu had been conceived ana
artistically prepared. Every comfort
had been anticipated, and it would have
been difficult to have suggested anything
appropriate that had not been provided.
The decorations were protuse and
tasteful. Confederate, State and nation
al colors were in evidence, as well as
paintings and crayons of Robert E. Lee
and other luminaries whose genius made
them famous during the four years con-
fict.
Ladies had prepared the menu and la
dies glided to and fro in ministerlng to
the wants Of the company or anticipating
their every wish. The tables exhibited the
work of skill. There was every attraction
and all had been arranged in the most in
viting manner. They had been spread in
the west parlors of the building and prep
arations had been made for the enter
tainment of Sc. Candelabra added to
the effect, as did also cut flowers, and
buttonhole bouquets were at every plate.
Gray-headed ex-Confederates who
forty ears ago were exposing themselves
in mid-winter to the elements as well as
to the bullets of the enemy, attended as
they were with their many privations, eS-
p~ecially during the closing scenes of the
war, might have contrasted existing with
former
The camp metinformallyin the rooms
on the second floor and subsequently ap.
peared in the b~anqueting room headed
by Commander X. Kemper. After a
blessing had been invoked by Rev. DIR.
F. J. Brooke, Chaplain of the camp, the
commander introduced Miss Josephine
Harlow, who, on behalf of the Ladies
Auxiliary and others, members of chap
tiers Of the Daughters of the C~onfederacy,
extended a cordial welcome to the mem,
beers of Lee Camp and their guests, and
after reading an appropriate poem IN
very creditable manner, the young lazy
was rendered the thanks of the company
by Commander Kemper. Among other
things he said Jupiter and his proud
queen. Juno, never had fairer hands to
minister to them in the feasts upon
Mount Olympus than those who had pre-,
pared the banquet for Lee Camp and
who had anticipated their every comfort.
The company was then seated and the
banquet proper was soon in progress.
The discussion of the..collation consumed
nearly an hour, during which time there
was a happy mingling of kindred spirits
and the flow of conversation and re-
f~erences to "reminiscences of by-gone days
we're greatly relished. =,
Commander Kemper finally raped
the company to order andhaying secured
attention, he stated that several promi-
nent speakers who had promised to be
present had been unable to attend, but
there we're those in the company who
could ably respond to the sentiments
which would be announced. He said 1t
gave him great pleasure to introduce
Hon. NJ. E. Benton, Congressman from
Missouri, who would respond to the
main theme Of the evening-"General
Robert E. Lee" The speaker arose
amid applause and proceeded to make
one of the most interesting addresses
ever listened 10 at these annual %banquets.
He said it would be difficult to conceive
ANYTHING that had not already been said
concerning the great chieftain, but the
speaker nevertheless manifested original
ity in most all he said, and the portions
with which his hearers were acquainted
were described in an original and forci-
BILE manner. He spoke slow and in
measured tones, and it is no exaggera-
ton to say that not a single word he
uttered fell upon dull ears. He took his
seat amid great applause.
Hon. John F. Rixey followed in an
interesting speech in response to the SEN
timent, "Virginia." Mr.. Rixey was at
his best and during his speech he at
times grew fervid. He uttered many
truths precious to all lovers Of the Old
Dominion, while his references to Cen
eral Lee were touching and couched in
appropriate language. His remarks were
greatly enjoyed.
Rev. DR.. Brooke responded to the toast
'FThe Private Soldier" The speaker,
!, to use a common expression, chad beer
!. there" He had entered the army in his
| teens and been mustered out in them
The doctor related some of his own per
sonal observations concerning the hard
, ships endured by the Confederate sol
5 der, his devotion to duty and the un
t complaining spirit be ever manifeste'
amid his many privatiOns. He told o