The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-08-08
GREAT GATHERING
OF old SOLDIERS
Annual Confederate Reunion
Held on Fishers Hill
Backgrounds.

ties when they gathered for the eiBh-
teenth annual Confederate reunion at
Fishers Hill, Shenandoah county, yes
terday, and as the shadows OF evening
began to cover the historic Valley o.
the Shenandoah. one OF the largest
crowds OF people that has attended the
great annual event on the Fishers
Hill battle-ground began Its homeward
journey, after a day OF picnicking, re-
unions, fraternizing. speech making
and feasting on the fat OF the land.
The crowd in attendance was var!-
ously estimated from 10000 to 10000,
and is said to nave been the largest
in the history OF the Fishers Hill.
reunion.
The principal address was made by
Major Holmes Conrad, OF Winchester,
the noted Virginia constitutional law.
yer, who served on the star OF General
Thomas L. Rosser in the Confederate
Army during the Civil War and WIN
was Solicltor-Gener OF the United
States during the second Cleveland adj
ministration. Az he stepped to the
front OF the speakers stand TO ADDRESS
the people, he was greeted with pro-
longed cheers and applause. which wa
intensified by the rebel yell, when
was given by the veterans In gray
with an enthusiasm and spirit thai
surprised thousands OF the younger
generation.
Virginia Justified.
The purport Of Major Conrad's ad-
dress was to show why Virginia WA
justified in withdrawing from the
Union, and he recalled innumerabie
incidents in New England. where Be-
cesston had been urged years before
the Civil War. He declared that mil
H. 49, 4 lnsyy FA
United States government to indem-
Nifty Northern states for expenses OF
the war, and that the present pen
sion and tarif systens were designed
to give the North money because
money was the object and end OF all
their policies. lie showed that Viz.
ginta had done everything possible to
avert war, but that Senator Zach
Chandler. OF Michigan, and others de-
ciared peace would not be preserved
without bloodshed He said their mo-.
tives were not patriotic, but that they
would lose money by separation of the
States. Notwithstanding. President
Lincoln had promised Virginia com.
missioners. he would take no step to
bring on war he had already ordered
ships and munitions of war to Fort
Sumter. He said he wanted young
people TO know that Virginia did not
act hastily or lnwisely. She tried to
avert war. out ne said her purposes
were defeated by Mr.. Lincoln and the
public men OF The North. who loved
money more than human life.
The exercises were opened with
prayer by Rev. John P. Hyde. D. D.
of winchester, chaplain.general OF the
Grand Camp. Confederate Veterans OF
charge OF Captain II. II. Downing. Of
Front Royal.
The speakers stand. the mess hal
and other buildings on the ground.
were handsomely decorated with th'
national and Confederate colors, and {
spirit OF good feeling peryaded every
where. Many Union veterans were II
the throngs, as has been customar!
since the Fishers Hill event became {
reunion OF more than passing notice
and nothing occurred to mar the pleas
ures OF the day.
Gains In Prominence.
Eighteen years ago the Fishers Hill
reunion was inaugurated by a simple
unpretentious picnic. attended only b!
such as could conveniently ride OF
drive in private vehicles. and the pro
motors little thought that it would
grow to the present large proportion:
and be OF such Importance to the griz
zled and bartle-scared veterans of TIT
Confederacy and their friends as 1t il
to-day. 1t is now one of the larges
Confederate gath srings in the South
second only TO The annual reunion o
the Grand Camp of United Confeder
ate Veterans.
Special trains were run on the South
.ern Railway from Washington. Ma
nassas, Front Royal, Edinburg. Harri
sonburg and other towns. and the Bal
timore and Ohio Railroad operated
special from Brunswick. Harper's Fer
ry and Winchester direct to tn
grounds.
Last Address by Daniel.
The late United States Senator Joh
w. Daniel seldom absented himsel
from the reunions, and one of his las
public appearances was to make til
principal address there last August
He was the idol OF the old soldiers
and their descendants loved him n
less. and will always cherish hi
memory Resolutions offered by Majo
Robert ". Hunter on the death o
Senator Daniel We're unanimousl
adopted.
Some of the most noted orators Q
the South have delivered addresses a
these reunions. and last year Presi
dent Taft had made all arrangement
to come. when the illness OF Mrs. Tat
prevented. notwithstanding the an
sence of the President, there was
greater crowd present than ever be
fore.
The Fishers Hill reunion is Away
held under the auspices OF Stove
Camp. United Confederate Veterans
OF Strasburg, which is the town nea,
est to the grounds and the varlou
committees go about the work with a
enthusiasm which surprised many {
the younger generation. In order /,
perpetuate the reunion. the veteran
have for some years past been "breal
ing in" the Sons OF Veterans, and II
boys are responding handsomely. taxi
ing very active and prominent pal
this year. Colonel Josiah Sickle
commander of Stover Camp. was chail
man of the committee on arrange
nents. and the work OF handling tt
eight special trains on the Southe1
Railway was in charge Of Captain
M. Borum, OF Strasburg.