Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 25.djvu/359

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hospitality was di^irnsrd, and warm indeed was the welcome ex- tended to all who came to pay a tribute by their presence, to the memory of the dead chieftain. The feature of the evening was the address delivered by Captain R. S. Parks. It was received with un- bounded enthusiasm, and was said by many of those present to be the finest eulogy ever delivered within the walls of Lee Camp.

Following the exercises came a social session of unrestrained mirth and good-fellowship. The good humor of the occasion was infec- tious and irresistible, and even old men, whose locks were hoary, and whose forms were bent with age, danced and sang, and seemed to grow young again. Old Southern melodies struck pleasantly on the ear, and the familiar songs were sung over and over again. Refreshments were served in great abundance, and the hour for parting came all too soon.

THE FORMAL PROGRAMME.

It was nearly a quarter-past 8 o'clock when First-Lieutenant-Com- mander A. C. Peay, in the absence of Commander Laughton, called the assemblage to order, and in a few words recalled the "sacred cause" which they had come together to celebrate. The doxology was sung by all, standing, after which Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson was called upon and offered a short, but fervent, prayer for a benediction upon those who had come together to commemorate the memory of their chieftain, and asked that they might follow his example, as he had endeavored to follow that of his Divine Master.

GREETINGS FROM WASHINGTON.

The following telegram from the Confederate Veterans' Associa- tion, of Washington, D. C. , was read and received with applause:

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 19, 1898. R. E. Lee Camp, No. /, Confederate Veterans, Richmond, Va.:

The Confederate Veterans' Association of Washington assem- bled to honor the name of our great leader, General R. E. Lee, send loving greetings to their comrades of Richmond, and remember with them a vow to keep green his memory.

ROBERT I. FLEMING,

President.

Adjutant J. Taylor Stratton was instructed to telegraph the fol- lowing reply: