Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-01-20
BANQUET LAST NIGHT.

liams, Rev. G. ID. Bulla and Mr.. II
ID. Harrison.
As has bern the custom since its or
Ranizstiop, R E. Lea Camp of OOnfed
crate Veterans added the last and mos
pleasant feature Of ihs celebration of the
anniversary of the birth Of Genera
Robert E. Lee By giving a banquet las
night at thcir hall on Prince street.
The committee 10 charge of the ban
qutt and the ladies composing tho anxil
larry had We'd in leaving nothing undou,
that could have in any way added h
the pleasure of those who attended
Although over one hundred persons par
ticipsted in the feait, there was no semb
lance OF delay in serving the guests, anC
everything moved with a precision thai
was marked and commended. Tn,
choice viands had been prepared by thu
ladies 10 the highest style OF the Gull
nary srt, aud during the progress of tht
bauqueling they moved among the com
pany anticipating and ministeriug t
wants of each of the guests.
As is always the case, the building hat
been appropriately and tastefulIy deco.
rated. Red white and red was in profu
sion, the ladies being becomingly sttireC
10 Confederate colors, and pictures o.
noted Ooniederstss, the most promiueD
being that of Robert E. Lee, adorned
the walls.
The company had assembled about
1880 o'clock and for half az hour were
engaged In greeting one another in TIT
upper rooms.
A. eight O'Clock the members of tht
camp aud their guests we're commanded
10 "fsll In" aud deceud to the banquet
ing rooms on the first floor, the door
of which bad in the meantime beer
thrown open, displaying the beautifully
laden tables.
Commander w. A. Snoot took his
position a. the head of the table, and
alter he had called the company to
order, Rev. W. J. Morton, rector o.
Christ Church, invoked a blessing
The company was subsequently seated
aud the feast began. The following
was the menu:
Lynn Haven Bay oysters, fried oysters,
celery, olives, mixed pickles, picked
oeets, sslted almonds, rCa't turkey,
country ham, ourrsut jelly, cold tongue,
chicken, aud lobster salads, cold slsw,
sliced tomstoes, ice cream, Confederate
colOTs, assorted cakes, oranges, Ma'aga
grapes, cigars. coffee aud punch.
Each guest was furnished With a
miniature Confederate flag and oarna-
tiOn-White or red
II was nearing nine O'Clock before the
plying OF knives and forks had ceased
and the smoke from the cigars began to
ascend.
Az this uncture Commander 5mOot
again called the company to order, when
letters of regret at their inability to be
present we've read from Gan. G. w. q.
Lee and Second Lieutenant Commander
of the camp John Hoof. The next
feature of The programme was the read
log Of General Lees farewell address by
Adjutsnt Ohas. S. Taylor. This vas
performed in an impressive manner. Al
though most members of the camp know
the address by heart, lis bTevity aud die
ton have made 1t a historical and beam
iiiul piece OF literature aud lis reading is
always enjoyed.
At the close Of the reading of the sd-
dress Comrade John NJ johnson, who was
to deliver the address on General Bob.
ert E. Lee" arose. His speech was
interesting and instructive from start to
finish, and was exhaustive. Mr.. John
son went back to the birth of the great
Virginian and traced his life's history to
It's close.
While most people composing this
generation are familiar with the history
If Robert E. Lee, Mr.. JOhnson's por
trsysl Of the life Of the great chieftsiD
manifested close study aud thought, and
the earnestness of the speaker brought
forth much applause. He vent into
many interesting de ais 10 connection
With Lees military career. Mr.. john
sons description OF the battle of Gsltys-
burg aud incidents lesdiog up to that
memorable clash of arms threw a light on
It which was doubtless original to many
If bis hearers. As Is generally known,
General Lee voluntarily bore the blame
for the outcome OF that conflict, although
It Was sppsrent at the time that the
OF subordinstes prevented Lee
from accomplishing victory which
would have proven the turning point 10 |
he history Of the Confederscy.
Among other things, Mr.. johnson
said: political friends and foes alike |
Of the great commander now acknowledge |
the disinterestedness and purity of bis |
his self-deDyiug sense Of duty, |
aud the uDrspining loyalty with which !
he accepted the ruin of bis people,"
Ia concluding his address Mr.. John
ION faid: "0nr gr6s conn ander's
anne requires no a1veDtitIous aid. His
character grand, btaatiful in Is sim
,Iicity, complete 10 It's consistency, needs
10 ornamentstion.
Mr.. Johnson took his scat amid much
pplause.
Hon. John Shsrp Williams was the
lexl speaker. He arose amidst loud
pplsuse, aud when 1t hsd ceased be
'egsn by saying be was not fmoug
lraugers at such a gathering, nor had
be fathers Of many present been sirsng-
rs 10 by.gons years when 6ghing under