Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-11-01
Confederates Met Last Week in
Petersburg
Gakelie Co,reseondenee.

, Confederates Met Last Week In
Petersburg
Gazette Co,yesbOndenee.
/ TIMBER RIDGE, Oct. 30--Sincs
our last communication, it mas
been our privilt ge once more Il
meet with a number of our ole
comrades ct Petersburg. Leaving
Lexington al 10 a. IN. Wedn sday
we arrived at our destinatlo 4
about o p. m. same day and were
escorted to headquarters where
we registered, and after some delay
were sent under the guidance Of a
patriotic little boy to q remote part
of the city where five of US found
comfortable quarters for the night.
Paying our fare in advance we
turned in and rested well till early
dawn when we arose, dressed and
sailed forth in quest of breakfast
which We found at the YIN. CA.
building at reasonable terms.
Thursday it rained all day, but
this did not prevent the soldiers
and citizens from crowding the
streets and If we wished rapid
transit we had to take the middle
of the streets, which were we'll
paved and comparatively clean.
You nay know that old soldiers
can find plenty of fun under any
circumstances. One cOmrade who
went down with us, said the mayor
had told him he had closed the
calaboos, thrown away the keys
and given him the liberty of the
city, and he was going to avail
himself of his kind offer. Although
in the sixties, he would waltz
around the hall at the sound of the
bugle as nimbly as youth of six
teen. SO the day was spent in
good cheer, and at night we at.
tended the Academy of Music,
where ifrom an elIgAble position
near the orchestra and stage, oc-
cupied by the speakers, sponsors
and maids of honor, we had fine
view of the vast audience, who |
packed the spacious building.
Right here let me emphasize the
fact that ~Virginia's prospects for
orators and Statesmen among the
Sons of Veterans who will reflect
credit upon their fathers is cer-
tainly most Aattering. The speak.
ers We listened to were of a most |
magnetic and entertainment char
acter. This ended the day.
4 On Friday we ran over to Rich
mond on the trolly cars twenty
one miles distance, and were
transferred through the city at
rapid rate to the Soldiers Home
where we spent the day, dined
with the commandant and adju-
tant, after having first made e
tour of private inspection Of kitcb-
en- and dining room where the
soldiers were partaking of their
a abundant and appatizing meal. L
spoke to many of them and re-
that they had abundance
Of good, wholesome food and appe-
titles fully adequate to the emer-
gency. These Veterans came to
The mess hall with mug, spoon,
knife, fork and PLATE, and after
eating return by way of the hy-
lrant where dish washing is in
order and back to their eomforta-
BILE cottages.
In the evening we visited the
wards in the hospital, greeting
md shaking hands with each and
III IS they lay upon their clean
md comfortable cots in various
stages and types Of in6rmity.
Finding a room exceptions ly in
'iting, containing two cots of snow
White tapestry, the one occupied
" genial old comrade, the other
lnoccupied tits occupant being
ltsent on furlough), We were per.
nitted here to repose for the
light. We also visited the dis
where we found Mics
Thompson, who by long service
md experience has bee Jme quite
IN expert Ia her responsible posi-
Ion. assisting the surgeon in
ninistering TO the wants of the :
lex. We ascertained that there ,
re about two hundred and sky 6
inmates of this institution, thirty {
f whom die On an average each
ear.
Readers, you have but to pass !
Trough this institution to recog- ,
lize the sad fact that you have }
ollowed this noble band of brave
eroes to the bank of the river
There they await orders to pass !
yer and forever to rest under 1
be shades with their immortal
saders, Lee and Jackson.
l would tell you much more but
ime and space in this rapid age
0rbid. l never was a politician,
ut am proud of my old State
nd shall endeavor to sustain her
est interest at the coming elect
IN. CONFEDERATE.
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