The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-24
Decrepit Veterans Spring
to Feet and Join in the
Great Demonstration
INSPIRING SCENE IN.
GRAND CAMP HALL
Addresses ofNNelcotne and Patri-
otic Responses Arouse Old
Soldiers to Heights OF En-
tllusiasrn-Chcers for
Choirs-Review
OF Year.

OF Year.
Especial From staff Correspondent
\ NORFOLK. VA. October 23.--speeches
of welcome and their responses, punc-
/ tuated with rebel yells" and applause
with music from the Confederate choirs
and the address OF the grand COM
mander. made up the session OF the
hrst day OF the State encampmcnt of
/ Confederate Veterans.
Long before the appointed hour OF
noon ray-coated veterans strenmed
into the great armory building Of the
Seventy Virginia Regiment. The
/ day brought many pathetic sights. as
decrepit old men lobbled to their
places assigned for seating the various
camps. but when the exercises OF the
tmorning opened with Dixie" from a
.ibrass band, every mansof them was on
this feet, and seemed to drop twenty
years from his age. as cheer after
cheer rose to the triumphant "rebel
!yell" which shook the building. This
sIentrance to the main gallery OF the
Confederate Choir No. l. from Ports
| mouth. va., in neat Confederate uni
forms. was again the occasion OF pro-
Camp. OF Norfoik, leading. Choir No. 1.
of Portsmouth. headed by Mrs. ]. Griff
/ Edwards, Acknowledgement commands
4 Ing. and Choir No. 2, OF Norfolk, were
i given tho position Of honor in the gall
1 lery, Just over the speakers stand and
i facing the audience.
4 Like the Reunion Here.
The occasion was In many respects Il
4 lConfcderate reunion miniature. While
4 lacking the enormous numbers which
Visited Richmond last June from NIL
So
Virginia grand encampment has all Of
the fire and enthusiasm. Aged men
may be. seen on the streets hugging
each other. as old war comr AIDES meet
for the first time in many years.
i THAT the generations OF wnr-seasoned
sEeetcransaiss basxIng MAS. vidancsd net
only by the appearance of the Grand
Z Camp In session, but by the active
4 part taken in the proceedings by the
ladies Of the Confederate Choirs. both
OF the Junior organizations being in
uniform.
SessIon Opens With Prayer.
l General William FL. Stewart, of
Portsmouth, grand commander. called
i the twentieth annual session of the
Grand Camp to order soon after noon,
and the session was opened with
j prayer by the chaplain-general, the
Rev. ]. r. Hyde. The Invocation was
a deyout appeal for peace throughout
4 the world. for the coming of the time
when nation shall not make war
against nation any more; and ut the
close there came from the host of
deep-throatcd warriors chorus OF
Amen
General Stewart introduced the
united choirs. saying the "Confederacy
only lives In song and story anu
after burst OF cheers, the united
ctoirs sang an arrangement of Mary
land" as solo and chorus. using the
words OF the well-known "In ytr-
| ginia.' Each verse was punctuated
! with applause. both song and choir
coming in for It's tribute. producing
the rebel yell" at the close.
Addresses of Welcome.
General Stewart introduced Hon. ID.
j s. Burrell. chairman Of the Board of
Aldermen OF the city Of Norfolk, who.
on the part of Mayor Riddlck, well
:. coined the Grand Camp. and offered to
tia veterans the freedom OF the city.
II General Thomas T. Munford. of
Lynchburg, was introduced to make
1 response, and received q notable oya-
tion. General Munford addressed his
remarks to the ladies' in the audience,
the Norfolk officials and his old COM
. rades In arms.
: "Ideas may be expressed In words,
but feeling never" said General Mum
: ford. ALAS! how few of VIrglnta,s s
quota are left to answer the ROLL
call, out OF the 17S.9s9 that Virginia
! furnished to the Confederacy. Like
Cincinnatus Of old. we We're called from
the plow to four long years of war,
and at Its close many OF us returned
{ to that plow with nothing to draw it
but the steed that had carried us into
bnttle, or drawn our cannon through
many n held. In the name OF the spon-
!, sors and maids of honor, and the
name Of every member of this Com
federate encampment, l offer Its
A thanlts."
General Munford's period on this
"Bonnle Blue Flag was a classic piece
of oratory. with many illusions to
i, history and mythology beautifully
woven into the description OF the flag
of the Confederacy. a well-tmed sem
!, |tenoa on the foundations OF Rome, with
a reference to Romulus and Remus,
brought from the back OF the house
a pronounced call, Three cheers for
!, Uncle Remus.'" General Munford's IS
conclusion brought from the audience
Ashby Cavalry" the Conrederate choirs
breaking out. into THE Bonnie Blue
Flag" to the accompaniment OF band,
! piano and yells from audience.
Captain Whittle's Fine Speech.
/ Representing Pickett Buchanan
Camp, of Norfolk, General Stewart In
troduced Captain William c. Whittle
the executive officer of the Shenandoah
{ who carried the flag OF Jackson
! around the world" 81
i, Captain Whlttle mado a carefully
i. |prepared addreus Of welcome. paying
|many compliments to the Veterans III
front OF him, who, "thtnkinH not o,
danger. rushed valiantly to the from,
I, in defense OF their native hearths and
who since the war have done their
duty In whatever walk OF life they
have been called, and have failed not
\ In patriotism, loyalty and hdelity."
when they ask Whit Jack son and
Leo fought for, let It be ever said tina,
-.
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