The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-10

Ing the rostrun on winch tho band was
stationed Colonel iGutchus. president
M tho association, called the gathepng
20 order. and prcfaced the !ntrouuo-
lion Of the first speaker with II briei
review or that portion OF TIE COM
appreciation OF The program. lie re-
en- led the old-timc friendship existing
petwcsn the Blues and tic Washing
sVon Grays, OF PHILADELPHIA, two of the
oldest volunteer military organizations
in America, aud told how, In 1854, the
Grays had been the guests Of the B'ues
OH n fraternal visit 10 Richmond, and
turing the following year the Blues
had returned the visit and been ac-
corded SO many coultcsics by the
iGrays.
He mentioned the fact that in
recent fire the national colors pre-
sentcd the Blues by the Washington
Grays had been destroyed. These colors
were presented on tho occasion of tho
attendance of both commands upon tho
celebration of the Washington centcn-
nial in New York City In 1889. He
congrat ulated the Blues upon tho
fact that the Grays, as soon as they
heard of the battalions misfortune,
had promptly informed them that they
would present new colors to replace
those destroyed. Concluding, Colonel
Cutchns very happily presented Major
George b, Zane, commander Of tho
artillery corps, Washington Grays,
who presented the colors.
Colonel Zane spoke briefly. recalling
Did associations and the many years
of friendship between the two com
lnands lie. too, referred to the visit
OF tile Grays to Richmond in 1854, and
the return visit of the Blues in 1866
and the differentiation OF the two COM
mands in 1855 in this CITY, and IN New
YORK III April. 1889, when the ,colors
We're presented. He congratulated the
Bines upon the progress and prosper
itS or the command, Notwithstanding
It's lnlsfortunes recently, and upon It's
glorious history and it's present ctli-
cheney.
In concluding Major Zane said:
nave the pleasure on behalf Of the
Grays OF presenting you this stand of
colors. 1 am sure YOU will hear the
Ing proudly and creditably to the
honor Of this grand old state and of
this glorious nation.
Accepted the Colors.
When the applause which greeted the
presentation had subsidized Major E,
w. Bowles was presented by Colonel
Cutchins, and gracefully accepted the
Slft IN the name of the Blues. Major
l'owles reviewed the old relations of
the two commands as the other speak,
ers had done. save more briefly, and
IN acknowledging the second gift, de-
ciared that the new colors were even
more beautiful than the old. Il trust
that you Will convey to your comrades
our deepest gratitude for this splendid
gift" said the speaker in conclusion.
AS Major Bowles resumed his seat
the applause was drowned by the
strains of The Star Spnnglcd Banner"
played by the full band, and as Cap
tain Burwel of Company 3, waved
the national flag there was enthusiastic
applause. and some saluted the flag.
2 Colonel Cutchins, in presenting the
next speaker, recalled the fact that
another flag had been lost III the fire
last January, and one which was highly
valued by the command The old flag
of Wise's Brigade. to which the Blues
We're attached during the war. had been
lost, as we'll as another made from the
silk with which the Lee Monument was
lveiled prior to the.public unyciling
He described the scene on that occu-
sion and how this silk had been saved
in the mad rush fcu' souvenirs, and later
II had ben convcTt1i into a battalion
flag. This treasured relic had been lost
also, Thanks to the generosity of the
people in the Blues misfortune. the citi-
2ens generally had rallied TO their aid
ana even under tAscouragng conditions
had contributed literally to uniforming
the command. In that period of nlslor
tune the association had determined 10
prepare and present TO the battalion an
other stand of State colors. and this
would be presented by Dr.. ThomaG Mel
son Page. u former lieutenant nf the
Blues He then presented his o'G COM
mandcr.
Dr.. Page after acknowledging the COM
plimentary introduction of himself de-
clared that there were now in the Blues
children and grandchildren of his old
comrades He declared that when he
was introduced TO that great audience
he was never more "skecred' in his life.
and that man on his first battlefield
could have been more SO. lie pictured
the old gatherings OF the Blues at their
campiires and around the punch bowl,
and stated that he had expected to I'D
dress only such a gathering as that. He
found ma jors and cUonels here who We're
babies when he was q lieutenant in the
Blues.
DR.. Page .and Dixie.
DR.. Page paid graceful tribute to
Elizabeth Zane. Virginia heroine Of
colonial days, who haxl performed note
worthy service for her State. and eX-
pressed the MAef that the gallant Phil
adelphian Mas -de,sendant Of Of mat mat ne ne,
Colonel Bigger, Of the old Blues, and
paid tributes to them alsl other old MEM
bers. Describing his own connection with
the Blues, he declared that he was UNI
able to secure new uniform but had
worn that of Captain O. Jennings WISE
who had been killed in battle at Roanoke
Island the scene Of the first English
settlement in America. though II was not
a permanent one, referring to the colony
founded by Sir Walter Raleigh The
Blues were typical of the citizen sol.
diery OF Virginia, Of Pennsylvanin and
OF the entire country. There need be no
fears OF the menace of great standing
army with such a citizen solidery.
In commencing the Blues as possess
ing the qualifications that made the
best soldiers, DR.. Page presented in the
name of the association the Virginia
colors. AS The speaker concluded the
band struck up Dixie" and the great
est demonstration Of the evening fol-
lowed
The presentation was accepted by
Lieutenant John Randolph Tucker. of
Company G, the Youngest OF the batta-
lion in a graceful and thoughtful
speech. Lieutenant Tucker is q de-
scendant of a line of Turists and
soldiers, being Il grandson Of Colonel
William Preston Johnston, soldier and
educator; a great-grnndson of General
Albert Sidney Johnston, and a grand
son of John Randolph Tucker. turist