Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-12
REUNION CONCLUDED
Army of the Potomac Leave
Manassas.
VISIT TO HENRY FARM
INTERESTING "REMINISCENCES OF
THE TWO BATTLES.
Senator Daniel, Gems. Dudley, Curtis
and Dwight and Others Made
Addresses.
VISIT TO HENRY FARM
staff CORRESPONDENT.

MANASSAS, Va, May IL, iS'o'
The thirty-s:xth annual reunion OF the
veterans of the Army of the Potomac came
70 a close last night with a brilliant recep-
ton in honor of the visitors at the hand
some home of Mr. Robert Portner Many
of the veterans departed on the late trains
last night but many yet remain IN the Guy
fc- the purpose of continuing their VISITS
to the points of interest about the place.
So full was the program of events arranged
by the citizens reception committee that
there was little time for the members OF
the society to make the private excursions
they had planned to Groveton. Gainesville,
Thoroughfare and other places where they
fought during the war. number OF them
will remain on the scene week or more,
having come for the purpose of paying an
extended visit to the scenes that are so in
delibly marked in their memories.
The reception last night at the Portner
mansion was one of the most brilliant af-
fairs of the kind in the history of Manas-
sas. Mrs. Portner was Unable to be pres
ent, but she was represented by her daugh-
ter, Miss Portner, and several of her sons
The handsome mansion, one of the finest
and stateliest homes in Virginia, was
thrown wide open to the veterans. The
spacious grounds were lighted with colored
incandescent lamps and the parlors were
ablaze with light from hundreds of electric
globes. Palms and growing plants were
banked in all the corners, the fireplaceS
and on the mantels and a well-apponted
buffet supper was served in the handsome
d ming room. Miss Portner, assisted by
Mrs. Meredith, received the guests just in
side the hallway in hospitable Virginia
fashion and the whole place was thrown
open to them During the evening Mrs.
Annie Laurie Stilson, who sang all the solos
at the first meeting of the society, sang a
number of pretty ballads. Gen Horatio
klng played the accomplishments. So
pleasantly did the evening pass that many
of those who had intended to take the
night trains to Washington overstayed
thelr time and were forced to remain in
town over night. Among those who were
present We're: Senator Daniel. Gen. Daniel
+. Siekles. U. S. A; Gen n NJ. Curtis.
Cen Horatio King and Mrs. King Cen
iremalne, Gen Easton, Col Berkeley. Judge
N1col, Miss Nicol Gen. McLeer Mr. NJ
Leer, Mrs. McLeer, the Misses Idon Cut
and Mrs. Vessels, Capt and Mrs Pan.
coast Col. George H. Patrick. Col Gaorge
Iruesdell Judge Thornton, Gen. Henry G.
Dwight, Miss Burke Gen. Louis 49, -
Major Lacey. Major George 4 Armas Is,
ana Mrs George c. Round and Col
Brown. io ooi- l.. D.
AT the Henry Farm.
me picnic az the Henry farm Yesterday
afternoon was voted by the members of tho
society of the Army of the Potomac tho
most unique and enjoyable excursion tba,,
mad ever made. The trip to the farm was
MADE through historic country in waeons
supplied by the people of Manassas IN
arriving at the farm the veterans were
assembled about the place where Cen Roe
or the confederate forces was killed 90
listened to short addresses from men Who
participated in the battle Mr.. Franl. g
ohampers of the 9Th Pennsylvania reserves
was the first to speak. Mr. Chambers was
IN the second battle of Bull Run and do
scrlbed something of the positions of his
regiment. His memory of the events s,,r-
rounding the hight was not very fresh, how
ever, and the principal fact elected from
him was that his regiment took the wrong
ROAD and ran into a confederate detach-
ment. Mr.. Alexander Chambers of the Sth
virginia volunteers then told a short story
or ms participation in the fight He was in
both battles, and his statements were most
~ In response to inquiries or suggestions
by bystanders. Gen. N. NJ Curtis spoke
oTiehy' as did also Gen. w. w. Dudley and
Major Bracket. This part of the speech
making was ended with a few remarks
from Capt. ]. r. Rust of Haymarket. a
veteran of Stuart's Cavalry
While the men folks We're engaged in
listening to or making speeches the good
women of Manassas and their daughters
were busily engaged spreading lunch cloths
In the grove of trees from which rises the
tall observation tower. The cloths were
soon covered with all manner of good
things. From the appearance of things it
would be reasonable to suppose that the
good housewives of Manassas and vicinity |
have been laying up things to eat for this |
occasion for month past. Everything that |
goes to make up the menu of the old-fash- |
Toned picnic basket was to be found, with |
a bevy of handsome young girls to serve |
it to the tired and hungry guests. After
the luncheon the guests were served with |
sherbet and permitted to follow their own |
devices for a few moments, while the ladies |
busted themselves clearing away the empty |
JieIn ,ie -, g.,
ator Daniel arrived on the field and re-
ceived ovation. He was given an ample |
lunch, and about 3 o'clock the entire gath
ering adjourned to the soldiers monument,
near the Henry house, where an impromptu
meeting was held Mr.. George c. Round
presided Mr.. Round told several interest
ing stories of the Henry farm and rected
the history of the soldiers monument. SEN
ator Daniel was then introduced Senator
Daniels address was an eloquent tribute
to both the Union and confederate veterans.
BY a singular coincidence the speaking took
place not more than hundred feet from
and directly facing plain wooden tablet |
erected on the field which bore the legend:
Here Major John W. Daniel of Virginia
was wounded" After Senator Daniel had |
finished speaking Gen Louis Wagner of |
Philadelphia, former commander in chief of |
the Grand Army, called for three cheers for |
the senator. They We're given with will, |
and then Gen. Wagner introduced. |
The general made extended address, in |
was over and agreed with Senator Daniel |
in his statements as to the valor of the men |
of both armies. Gen. Horatio c. King of |
Brooklyn said he had come to the picnic |
without preparation of any kind, and did |
not intend to make an address. He enter |
tanned the veterans with a number of hum |
orous stories that had some relation to his |
position and their visit. Gen. N. NJ. Curtis |
of New York made a brief address. He |
claimed to be a Virginian on the ground |
that for six months he had resided in |
Lynchburg, where he was provost marshal. |
II ruled Lynchburg with a rod of iron,"
Gen Curtis declared, land l will always |
remember the town with the most tender |
feelings. l have been there number OF |
times since
Gen. Dwight's Remarks.
Gen. Henry C. Dwight of Hartford, |
Conn, the new president of the Society OF |
the Army of the Potomac, was then called |
on for a few remarks. AS Gen. Dwight |
came to the speakers stand Senator Daniel |
requested that he be recognized for few |
minutes after the general had finished. |