The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-10-28
RETURNED FLAGS
GIVEN TO CAMP
Intensely Interesting Exercises
That Closed Eighteenth
Annual Reunion.

Especial to The Times Dispatch.)
PETERSBURG. VA, october 27.--The
browning event OF the 18Th annual re-
Veterans OF Virginia, was the ciosng
scene to-night--thc ceremony OF RECEIVING
from the commonwealth .noI the , captured
had been returned TO the State by the
United States Government. Inc ccre-
mony was purely sentimental ana fisura.
i've. but 1t was glorious. IL was the act
OF turning over TO The keeping OF the
men VINO fought under them, lne Dattie
t1ags OF Virginia brave companies, Dat
tanons and regiments
IN me committee appointed by the camp
at the morning session to 20 10 Richmond
BY trolley Cur 10 pring over the battered
banners returned at once, carried the
nags 10 the Academy OF Music where
many Of them We're placed prominently
upon the stage, and me long Dox con-
tanning the otners was placed just IN front
OF the Grand Commanders ta1le
Beauty and Chivalry.
The Academy Of Music was early filed
from the outer door to the stage with the
beauty and the cnivairy OF od virginia;
Hundreds OF people VINO came Iate cou!d
not get in the building.
On the stage were Seated the officers
and many. memEers OF the camp proml,
nent guests and the iair sponsors ana
When Governor and Mrs. Montague
walked upon the stage the vast audience
rose and cheered Itself almost hoaEse;
x.Governor Cameron was also received
with cheers.
The exercises were opened with prayer
by the Chaplain General era ana Ado =, o y;
and eloquent speech. introduced Congress
man John Lamb, the author OF the bill In
Congress by which the flags came back.
The author OF the Bill.
Captain Lamb, in 1gurativeiy present
Ing the flags TO the GovGrnor Gl he IN ye
d history Of the legislation by which the
banners were returned. While he mod
estly explained that the bill was first in
reduced in Congress by q. Virginia menu
her, he gave credit TO Representative
Capron, of Rhode Island, a Grand Army
man for the successful passage OF the
bill. His tribute to the men VINO fought
under the flags was earnest and eloquent.
| Hon. II. b. Davis, Of Petersburg, intro
duced Governor Montague but before SO
doing he took occasion 10 explain. that
tho Virginia member" go mode re.
ferred TO lby the speaker who had Just
r rannn ms biz ill., was Hon. John Lamb, Of
the Third District.
Governors Speech.
Governor Montague was received with
Tremendous applause:
The Gocernor explained briefly how the
flags were entrusted to the temporary
care Of the Chief Executive Of the State
He had thus to assume q great respon-
sibllity and he sought the ana ana ,na CO. CO.
ganization which represents the men VINO
fought under and made the flags glorious.
The Governor said he had received many
appeals for different disposition or them
for distribution. etc. but he could not
and did not resist the conclusion thal
the ags shoud be * Kept oI 1Ggstner y ana
Grams should be the custodians until the
Legislature shall provide an everlast-
ing abiding place for them. He recon-
mended that they be put away In IRE, :,
proof vault until the Legislature shall
act at the request Of the camp.
men who fought under the hags was
eloquent and touching.
Colonel Tom Smith. OF .Fauquier. intro
duced Ex-Governor William Il. Gamer
on. Who on behalf OF the Grand Camp
received the flags.
Governor Carneron's Speech.
Colonel Cameron's speech was fin.
ished composition couched In beautiful
English. Using the return from Persian
captivity Of the Jews and their heroic
! sacrifices to rebuild the Temple OF the
| tribute to the valor OF the Southern sol
| dIer as displayed after the war In the
work of rebuilding the waste places OF
his desolated country In conclusion, Co,
| the women of the Confederacy and ad..
| mirable words Of goodwill to those OF
the former enemies who came out O. ana no
gs e amp eased s ae speee
amid the enthusiastic plaudlts of the great
| audience. which rose en-masse and and
| cheered while the band played Dixie.
The ceremonies closed With prayer ~ nra
! other friends. Governor Montague was
/ forced to hold an Informal reception. be-
ing greeted by large numbers OF frem nana,
reunion OF the Grand Camp, Confederate
| Veterans of Virginia. =. $. w.