Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-08-14

The reunion of the old Confederat
veterans at Flowing Springs last Satul
day. under the auspices Of the Jeffersol
County Camp. U. c. VI. was ell tina
could have been expected. The weathe
was exceptionally fine. and the atten
dance immense. As eminentIy appro
pirate to the occasion we incorporate th
following contribution from highly Is
|teemed old veteran:
The writer of this article has beef
present at various functions of tn
veterans of the Confederate army from
time to time. from New Orleans to Cum
berland, Maryland. He is prepared
therefore, to pass competant judgement
upon its merits. It was in the fulIes
sense success from start to finish. Th,
day was very beautiful the grounds wer'
ample and well shaded. with thei
proximity to Flowing Springs. which wa
one of the encampments Of the Ashby
Brigade IN the fall of 1861. and the place
where Chew's Battery was organized
The crowd was very large. and is est
mated to have been twice that of las
year. and every thing was in keeping
with the old fashioned Virginia hospitali
ty for which the people of the Valley are
SO remarkable. The music. both instru
mental and vocal was in keeping with
the spirit and full requirements of the
occasion. and everything was done by a
competent committee to minister to the
comforts and pleasure of the very large
attendance. Aside from the social
features of the delightful gathering. the
Grafton of Col. R. E. Lee. the grandson
of our great Confederate commander. was
essentially the feature 81 the day. It was
carefully prepared. its vigorous grasp of
the historic truths embodied in the causes
which lead up to the war. as we'll as his
delicate aud well poised reference to its
admirable management under the skill
full leadership of his grandfather, were
most admirable. 1t would well serve our
necessities in this day, when views of
that great struggle are crystalizing, that
his admirable GRAFTON were published and
scattered broadcast. not only from the
Rio Grande to the Susquehanna. but
throughout the whole length and breadth
of this Republic. 1t was singularly in
forming. with no tinge of boastfulness
about it, but with broad vein of genuine
manilness throughout. 1t was well re-
ceived and gave pleasure to the immense
audience who heard it. The dinner
under the trees was everything that any
man could have required and reflected
every credit upon Virginia housewlfery
at its full tide. After dinner Col. Chew,
presiding officer of the day, introduced
number of gentlemen, who in short ad-
dresses kept time to the Spirit of the &C.
casion. And / am satisfied that there
has been no function of like character
that was characterized by finer conduct
upon the part of all who were present,
aud which all who took part therein
would more emphatically write down in
their own personal calandar as red
letter day.
The after dinner addresses were made
by Capt w B Colston. former popular
officer of the Stonewall Brigade; Major
Darlington. of Virginia. who as comman-
der of Carrington's Battery. with the
Brigade held the Federals in
check in the hottest of the fight in the
battle of Port Republic; Rev James Bat
lie Avirett, the old Chaplain of the Ashby
Brigade; Maj E H Mcdonald, OF this
county; Capt R S Parks. of Luray: and
Maj R w Hunter. of Richmond.
Rev Mr. Avirett in his remarks advised
hat we should guard against insidious
and underground processes by which the
attempt is being made to un dermine the
very foundation stores of our southern
civilization. He insisted upon it that
here were things at the south that could
not be purchased by money. and higher
endowments of our universities and COL
eges than money. He would not ex-
change Old Virginia. in all her poverty.
with her splendid record. for New York
aud Pennsylvania combined; and would
not give North Carolina, stripped by the
war as she was of both men and money,
with her present stronghold upon her
glorious past, for both Illinois and Ohio
Rev DR. A c Hopkins opened the exer-
cises with prayer and closed them with
he benediction. and Col r p Chew.
popular Commander Of the Jefferson
County Camp, presided, assisted by
County Commissioner w Rider.
Excellent music was supplied by the
Charles Town Concert Band and a choir
If fifty voices, the old time southern
and war songs being rendered
with a vim.
A letter from the gallant Col l. Victor
who could not be here, will
De found appended.
The report of Adjutant Geo H Hagley
shows seven deaths during the year.
Total number of enrollments, ia. With
1rawals and total deaths since organ
eaton, IL. leaving living enrolled I6I
Dues received, $50. so; amount paid out
81 "a; amount in bank $32.r6.
LETTER FROM COL. BAUGHMAN.
Frederick. Md. August 10, 1000.
Col. R. Preston Chew. Charles Town,
West Virginia:
My Dear Colonel:-I am greatly dis
appointed at not being able to be with nv
Did comrades, the fair daughters and gall
ant men of old Jefferson, al your meet
ng at Flowing Spring.
Full well you know my appreciation of
he people of Charles Town for their
<indness and generous hospitality ex-
Tended to my exiled family when cruelty
md rs,f1,locc1x, Ia, ., 81, al c~<.~.