Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-07
Commemorative TABLET
IS ERECTED At MANASSAS
Distinguished Guests at Ceremonies
-Four Years After National
Peace Jubilee.
UNIQUE EVENT IN HISTORY
Colonel Edmund Berkeley, One OF
-Four Brothers Who Served CAL
lantly in Confederate Army, Takes
Part in Exercises.

In l9o5. four decades after Appomat-
tox. when the Society of the Army Of
the Potomac presided over by General
liorttlo G. King. met at Manassas,
colonel Edmund Berkeley. Major John
w. banlci and many other Confederates
CAV" them n warm welcome and n
luncheon on Henry Hill. assisted by the
daughters Of the Confedcracy. Later
IN l?ll. when Captain ID. ii. Russell, a
confederate signalman, OF Anderson. 8.
e., made the first proposition for a
great reunion Of the Blue and the Gray
on the ifticth anniversary OF Bull Run,
Colonel Berkeley, with his friend, Lieu
tenant Round, u. 8. signal veteran,
organized the movement which resulted
in the Manassas National Jubilee Of
Peace. at which President Taft and
Governor Mann were officially present.
July 81, 1911.
Four years later. September 30. 1915.
the supervisors OF Prime" William
County formally dedicated a COM
memorativc tablet on the courthouse
grounds In Manassas on the corner of
Grant and Lee Avenues. Addresses
were made by Major Henry Brecken-
ridge. OF the War Department, repre-
senting President Wilson. and by Judge
j. B. 7. Thornton. representing Cover
nor Stuart. Many OF the uniuue ccre-
monies Of the jubilee We're duplicated
and tho tablet WAS unveiled by Colonel
Berkeley and Lieutenant Round.
II r.ads as follows:
In commcmoration OF the
MANASSAS NATIONAL JUBILEE OF
PEACE
The first instance In history where sur
vivors In - great battle met fifty
years after and exchanged friendly
greetings at the place Of actual
combat. Here on 1uly 81. 1911, tho
"losin. scene was enacted. the
tablcau OF tho re-Cnitcl States.
'rh. President, the Governor OF Vir-
g!nia and forty eight maidcns in
white took part with 1000 veterans
Of the Blue and the Cray. and
10000 citizens or
THE NEW AMERICA
Colonel Edmund Berkeley was born
February -. 1924. Therefore, though
he Is in his ninety second year. he has
had a birthday only once In every four
years. and nc asserts that nc was even
cheated out OF one Of these. in 1900, by
the law of the calendar. Therefore.
next February % viii Dc his twenty
second birthday When six months old
Marquis de Lafayette was a guest in
his fathers house during his last visit
in America
About "a decade thereafter Mr.. Bcrke-
ley was a playmate OF Mary Donclson
IN the White House. and President An
drew Jackson. the Father OF Democ-
!acN, htu hlNi as dinner guest in the
state dininE-room OF American Prnsi-
dents. While attending school in Alex.
ahuria his teacher took min 70 the
American senate. where he saw and
heard the senatorial triumvirate, Web
Atcr. Clay and Calhoun. lie can tell
you to-day where each one sat
He was one OF four brothers who
served over four Years in the Eighth
virginia rhs regiment was known
III the Army Of Northern Virginia ns
The Berkeley Regiment" After,
,,c'tySburg on the promotion of Colonel
Epph liunton 10 the command of n
brigade. Nc!ho-nc Berkeley became
Colonel Edmund Berkeley. lieutenant.
coion"l; William Berkeley, maiorand a
Younger brother was senior cpnt,in
~ gettysburg. Edmund was desperate
~ wounded near the Stonewall II is
Ih0uEht That nc is now the ranking
confederate survivor Of pic,,e.,.s
charSc. III 1913 he was one who sbool,
hands with the Federals over the wal,
Mh'ch separated them nifty ycars bc
lo'e Al the sane hour OF tho Same
Gay ne was wounded CJuiy 3. a hnlf
century later he repeated in IN. hi,
,cht The Invocation in verse he gave NJ
me henrN House, July 81. 1911 a, me
opening OF the Manassas National .Iuhi
zee OF feRcc. beginning:
on, Lord of love, bless thou ,o-a,y
inns meeting Of the Blue and r;r,v"