The Washington herald., 1909-01-20

/ Battles fought nearly a half a century
ago BY the soldiers Of the Confederacy
were fought over again last night when
/ the Confederate veterans and their sons
and daughters gathered at the Confeder-
ate Memorial Home. on Vermont avenue,
10 celebrate the anniversary Of the birth
Of Gen. Robert E. Lee.
/ Several descendants Of the famous gen
| eral were there TO listen to addresses by
veterans who served with their distin-
guished ancestor The great deeds Of
''one Of the greatest generals this or any
other country has ever produced. 10
quote one Of the earlier speakers OF the
evening. were recounted-
Not only was the military phrase Of
Lees life dweIt upon By those who were
| his close friends. but his habits OF living,
/ his home life and his character were
also emphasized
Lee n Military Genius.
I Rev Dr. Randolph H McKim opened
! the observance Of the anniversary, by a
prayer, IN which he asked a blessing upon
those who fought for a lost cause He
followed his opening prayer with an ad-
dress in which he dwelt upon the high
character Of Lee and further said that he
was. according to Lord Wolsiey, one OF
the greatest military critics Of his time.
Not only a man OF high character. but a
military genius, comparable with such
generals as Napoleon and Alexander,
Here was a man" said DR.. McKim,
whose home life was beautiful in the
extreme. HIS devotion 70 his family was
trait that has come down 10 Is as
one Of the finest examples OF loyalty
TO home that we have.
'It might be truly said" continued DIT.
McKim. that Lee conquered the world
/ in one respect, for he showed himself
a Christian in battle, as wei as in private
1 life"
At the close OF Dr. McKim's address
/ the choir of the Church of the Ascension
sang several hymns that were favorites
I OF Lee. Maj. Robert V Hunter. OF
I Richmond. one of Lees closest friends,
made an address on the important bat
T ties OF the civil war.
Maj. Hunter read many letters from
I Lee written when the general was a
cadet Al West Point. Some of these let
tiers were read for the first time in public
=
an old sweetheart
His Fund of HumOr.
His officers would sometimes COM
plain Of fatigue. and at such times Lee
would relate some humorous story that
would make the tired officer forget that
I ne was tired. he said.
/ Al The close Of Maj. Hunters address
Mrs. Virginia Browning sang several
solos
The closing address was made by MAI
Z Holmes Conrad. commander of the Con-
redeTate Veterans. Camp I7l of this city
+ Mai Conrad paid a tribute 20 the wom-
I en- Of the South Tor the part they Took a
the great struggle.
/ One of the features OF the celebration
was the awarding OF 'HrosSes Of honor
/ by the Daughters Of the Co1federacy TO
those who had shown valor In battle or
I &c those who were the descendants OF
/ men Of bravery.
The conferring Of these crosses" said
I the chairman, should be done by beau
I ". and therefore I shall leave that pleas
ant task 10 Mrs. Gustavus Werber- Like
! the Victoria cross. the one used by the
I Daughters Of the C0nfederacy is made OF
CuppeE- Allu IN 0e1lAu y SllillldI-
Two Awarded Crosses.
l But two veterans were awarded crosses.
/ Dr. James l. Suddarth and Gunnel
/ Smith. both or this city.
At 4 recent meeting OF the Daughters
/ it was decided 20 confer the order on
/ descendants OF famous officers. or men
whose bravery was conspicuous during
/ the war Those hOnored were Mrs Wa
/ ter Johnson. Mrs. Otis Thompson Tabler.
Mrs. Harper Kerber. Wnfred s Nc
Cloud. and A. Beale Yeatman.
/ When the ceremony OF conferring the
/ crosses was concluded a reception was
/ held in the parlOrs Of the home and an
/ opportunity given 70 visiting guests TO
meet the members OF the various So
| cieties-