Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-01-20

to make a suitable reply in receiving
this great token, especially at the an
niversary of General Lees birthday,
Had the scene occurred at meeting
Of the Virginia Division, she might
have been equal to the occasion. Mrs.
Alexander said, she felt as Though
she. too, was Confederate veteran,
and gave rapid resume of her ex-
perience and labors in the cause OF
the Confederacy during nearly the
entire four years war. She told OF
leaving Alexandria, May "a, 1861.
with her father (the late Isaac Kell),
mother, sisters and brothers. She
was near the field at the first battle
of Manassas aiding in bandaging the
wounded, and said the cries of the
dying were still ringing in her ears.
She had followed the fortunes OF the
Confederacy until the father of the
family paid the debt nature at Char
]ortesvile, shortly before the close
of hostilities. Mrs. Alexander during
all those years had worked in hospi-
tails and upon the battlefelds, She
closed by thanking Mr.. johnson and
the camp he represented for the hon
or which had been conferred upon her.
Mrs. Alexander had barely become
seated when she was again called to
her feet by Rev. Mr., Morton, who pre-.
sented her with handsome bouquet
another token of appreciation of her
untiring labors for the memories OF
the south.
Adjutant Edgar Warfeld was sub
called upon to read Gene
raj Lees Farewell Address," which he
did in his usual impressive manner.
Hon. Frank Clark, of Florida, was
to have responded to the toast, "Gene-
raj Robert E. Lee," and his colleague,
Hon. w. J. Sears, to that Of "The Sons
Of Confederate Veterans" but Mr..
Clark had been taken i'll and was un-
able to fill his appointment, and il
devolved upon Mr.. Sears to act as
his proxy as well as to handle the
theme upon which he was to speak.
He proved equal to the occasion, and
not only spoke of General Lee in
most interesting and impressive man.
ner, but of Confederate veterans, sons
Of veterans and the south, punctuat-
ing his remarks with amusing anec.
dotcS. tIe Also reproduced much his
tory in connection with reconstruction
days which was listened to with close
attention
The presentation by Dr.. Jacquelin
A. Marshall to Miss Rebeccaa Moore
of the prize for the best essay upon
Robert E. Lee was the next interest
ing feature of the evening. The prize
was a copy of Mr.. c. Fl. Callahan's
book, washington, the man and the
Mason"
Colonel James Morris Morgan. of
washington, was the next speaker
His theme was "The Confederate
Navy" which he handled in an en-
tertaining manner. The speaker ut
tered many truths, which should be
remembered. He called attention to
the fact that the south revolutioniz-
ed the navies of the world, having
constructed the first ironclads, the
first torpedo boats, mines and torpe-
does, His descriptions of the battle
at Mobile Bay, that at Charleston.
the contest between the Merrlnac and
Monitor in Hampton Roads and the
careers of the Sumter, Alabama, Flo
rida, Shenandoah. Nashville and other
vessels flying the Confederate colors
were thrilling.
Mr.. Robert S. Barrett, editor of
the Alexandria Gazette, followed
Colonel Morgan. His address was on
the Southern Soldier" and he made
reference to the fact that the men
who wore the gray believed in pre-.
paredness and that their example
should prove an incentive to the pre-
sent generation when the President of
the United States was urging the
adoption of program which would
place the country in a position to
defend itself if need be.
Mr.. Barrett made an earnest appeal
to the patriotism of the present gener-
alton, and sustained the President in
his determination to place the coun-
try in safe condition should any
nation attempt to disturb the waters
in this section of the globe.
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