The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-01-18
VETERANS MADE INTERESTING "TRIP ;, !.
To OLD FORT FISHER YESTERDAY

and fellowship the anniversary of the
fghtful encounter in which they had
met AZ years ago as foes.
The veterans occupied all the front
seats on the parQuet floor, and several
of them had sea on the stage. Back
of them and thanking on them on the
lower floor, and packed into every
available space on the upper two
floors, was the largest gathering that
has ever assembled in the Academy
Of Music at any time in its history.
The building was literally packed 10
its limit, and it is a tribute TO the IN
terest of the occasion, that although
the speech-making lasted for more
han " hours. few persons left the
house.
The audience was a representative
and cultured one. Aside from the visit
ing veterans, practically all the Will
mington veterans were present, a.
were also a large number Of Daughters
OF the C~Onfederacy and sons of vet
Grams.
On the stage were seated 200 boys
and girls from the Wilmington High
school. who under direction Of Prof.
Womersley led in the singing of the
beautiful patriotic songs. All the
girls were dressed in pure white and
wore regalias of blue and red, and the
boys had small United States flags IN
the lapels of their coats. There were
large United states and Confederate
flags displayed on the stage.
Those having seats on the rOstunl
were General Curtis, of New York, Coz
Nna1 T o-oI e V-o;pyo To~o,oI DorI--
er, of New York, Captain j. I. Nets,
of Wilmington, Captain Evans, of New
York, Rev. j. B. Fairhead, of New
York, Colonel Waddell, of Wilmington,
and Rev. J. A. Smith, also of his
city, who presided over the meeting.
The occasion was a remarkable one
from the sentiments Of all the speeches.
that were made. Only the spirit of
hnest patriotism and fullest brother
hood was manifested, and the eloquent
remarks of different Of the speakers
caused tremendous enthusiasm in the
audience. A set programme Of music
and short reminiscent talks was rem
dered, the only exception being an
uncomfortable call for General Curtis
who was not expected to speak. The
general vas given an ovation when he
advanced to the center Ofthe roStum.
Though called on Unexpectedly, in a
few words, in one of the most eloquent
and tender of speeches, he conveyed
to Wilmington in a manner that could
not but show sincerity, the thanks and
appreciation of himself and his COM
rades for the generous and cordial
treatment that had been accorded
them all.
Along the same line, and none the
less sincere, was the stirring talk Of
appreciation made by Mr.. E. H. Ris-
ley, of the 117th New York, who spoke
eloquently of the hospitality Of the
Wilmington people. Mr.. Risley made
a motion that the thanks of the federal
survivors go out to all the people OF
North Carolina for the generous man
ner in which they had greeted their
visitors. The motion was adopted
unanimously by a rising vote!
An interesting matter that came up
also, was the adoption of a resolution
by unanimous vote, heartily favor1nS
and endorsing the proposition to have
some fitting memorial placed on a
suitable reservation at the fort, IN
commemOration of the Battle, there.
The matter will be brought to the at
tention of congressman by different OF
the veterans and it is believed that
congress may be induced to take some
suitable action. The establishment or
a public park, as a national reserva-
ton at the fort, has long been regard
ed as a worthy and very proper under
taking for the government.
DacoI,tinrc Uprn Tno2 and lInqng-
mously adopted in reply tc The resolu-
tons of the New York legislature
which were sent to the reunion. The
resolution adopted read.
Resolved that the Fort Fisher Sur
vivors' Association through its secre-
tary convey to the Speaker OF the
House and the. President OF the Senace
of the General Assembly Of the state
Of New York, it's deep appreciation OF
the kindly resolution passed by o
bodies recently in token OF this Re-
union
The programme rendered last right
| was as follows, and nc attempt can he
made to give any synopsis of the
speeches.
Prayer by Rev. T. 3. Fairhead, CT
117th New York.
Ten minutes talk Ivy Judge 4. 0.
Wright, Of Florida.
F~orty-fve minute talk by Mr.. J. D.
Ives, of fifth New YORK.
Medley b. the Orchestra.
Ten minute talk by Judge A. O..
Waddell.
sStarf Spangied Banner. by the
| c~LieTren.
Ten minute talk by Rev. NJ. B.
| Stone. of the I12ti New IHrE.
| Thirty minute talk by Colonel Will
liz n Lamb.
My, Old Ken .ucky Home and
| .Juanita" by Acme male Inartette.
Movement cor m4n":.al at sortFisr-
er. stated by Evans Of 117th New York.
Other incidental ma't@Ts were
brought up ana notices made and 5ben
4bo ch;IdropLcap-- Hcs6 .pa NTir1r Won