USA > Virginia > Post-bellum campaigns of the blue and gray, 1881-1882 > Part 10
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group was formed in front of the State Capitol, and a picture was taken. This ended the only fixed portion of the forenoon's programme.
As in Richmond, after the reception in Sanger Halle, there was a scattering of forces. The car- riages provided by the citizens were again ordered to the front. Before the general individual or squad reconnoisance, the column moved upon the famous Fashion Stud Farm, in Hamilton township. The proprietor, Mr. H. N. Smith, was absent, and the party were received by Superintendent Riddle, who showed them through that extensive estab- lishment and exhibited the more notable equines -Goldsmith Maid, General Knox, General Wash- ington, Socrates, Lucy and others. After seeing all that was to be seen there, the party broke up into squads and visited the several potteries, rub- ber mills and manufactories, besides the State in- stitutions, including the State Prison, State Luna- tic Asylum and State Arsenal. Hon. J. Hart Brewer presented each of the visitors with a hand- somely decorated plate as a sample of the work done at the Etruria pottery. The guests then re- turned to the Trenton House and had dinner, after which some returned to their rooms and others proceeded on tours of investigation through- out the city in charge of members of the Grand Army.
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CHAPTER V.
"Oh Sages ! think of joy like this, And where's your boast of apathy ?- Moore.
After the sight-seeing was over and the inner man had been refreshed, many of the guests, pro- fiting by the advice of Chesterfield, who said, "The dews of the evening most carefully shun; those tears of the sky for the loss of the sun," remained in-doors and rested, while others went out in search of other sights and curiosities. It is to be supposed they were successful in their search.
In the evening there was a grand reception ten- dered to the guests at Taylor Opera House. This is one of the largest theatres in the State, and on this occasion it had been made unusually attrac- tive in honor of the Campaigners of the Gray. The stage and parquette were boarded over, and a spacious and elegant floor was the result. Around the edge of the flooring and in front of the rows of seats in the dress circle, was a border of red material, and at the base of each pillar were two small United States flags. Over the stage, on a white ground, was the motto, " Welcome, Blue and Gray," with a design of two clasped hands protruding from a Blue and Gray cuff. Under the motto, on the stage, was a tent with an artil-
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lery flag waving over it. In front of the tent was a small oval table covered with a silk flag, on which rested the elegant silver vase awarded to the New Jersey Battalion at Yorktown, Va. On either side of the stage were two brass twelve- pounder rifled field pieces, and in front of these, on the floor, were some conical James' shells. Streamers of red, white and blue material, radiated from the dome to the windows of the gallery, around the front of which, at each chandelier, were the handsome corps flags of Aaron Wilkes Post, and between them were shields bearing the names of the several Posts of the Department of the G. A. R. of New Jersey. From the proscenium boxes on the left of the stage was a large artillery flag, and a Virginia State flag, with its motto, "Sic Semper Tyrannis." From the right hand boxes were displayed the Second Brigade flag of the N. G. N. J., and another flag of the State of Virginia.
Everything was prepared for a right royal re- ception. The committee, with rare ability, had completed arrangements with such exactness and care that it was impossible that anything should go wrong.
A deputation of members of the Post escorted the guests from the Trenton House to the Opera House, headed by Winkler's Seventh Regiment N. G. N. J. Band. The appearance of the Southern Veterans upon the floor was greeted with cheers and applause from the gallery, which
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was filled with ladies and gentlemen. In a short time the occupants of the galleries repaired to the body of the Opera House and a general introduc- tion to the guests took place, the band mean- while discoursing some fine selections in its best and most admirable style.
About half past nine o'clock Governor Ludlow and his Staff, consisting of Adjutant General William S. Stryker, Quartermaster General Lewis Perrine, Surgeon General Theodore R. Varick, Inspector General Willoughby Weston, Inspector General of Rifle Practice Bird W. Spencer, Judge Advocate General Garret Ackerson, Jr., Assistant Adjutant General S. Meredith Dickinson, Assist- ant Quartermaster General Lewis Perrine, Jr., and Colonels William E. Hoy, Edwin A. Stevens, Eck- ford Moore and John W. Romaine, aides-de-camp, arrived. This was the signal for a combined attack of the Ex-Confederates upon the members of Aaron Wilkes Post and the ladies of Trenton. The attacks were genuine surprises, as complete as were the early morning visitations which, a score of years previously, the Veterans of the Blue and Gray were wont to pay each other.
The first attack was led by Carlton McCarthy, of the Richmond Howitzers. He advanced, hold- ing in his hands a suspicious looking object. It was not case shot, but a case covered with red morocco, containing nine volumes of the Southern
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Historical Society's papers, bound in red morocco, which he presented to the Post.
In doing so, he said :
"GENTLEMEN OF THE AARON WILKES POST :
" It has become my duty, and it is a pleasant and simple one, to present to you, on behalf of my comrades, your guests, these volumes.
"They contain many facts and other things. We do not ask or expect that you will read with equal interest and pleasure all that they contain, nor do we ask your approval of all that we there claim and assert; but we do hope and believe that the study of these volumes will enable you more fully to appreciate the awful energy of our struggle against the great resources of the government, the earnest faith of our people in the justice of their cause and the overwhelming sadness which followed its failure.
"They may contain some words which we would now, in the presence of your kindness, strike out or soften, but, in the main they are honest exponents of our faith. Such as they are, how- ever, we give them to you. They contain the foundation on which we must build our defence. We are willing to be judged by this record before the world. If they, by increasing your knowledge of us and of our cause, our people and our principles, beguile you into closer sympathy with us, and serve by ever so little to bind together your people and ours, we will feel amply repaid."
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Mr. McCarthy's remarks were received with loud and prolonged applause.
The present was received on behalf of the Post by its Commander, Captain U. B. Titus, who ac- cepted it, making the following remarks :
" FRIENDS FROM VIRGINIA :
"Last October a company of old soldiers, and a few friends, took boat for a visit to the National Centennial at Yorktown. We sailed down our own loved Delaware, crossed the Chesapeake
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and entered the placid but beautiful and historic waters of your Old Dominion.
"On our arrival in your city, you welcomed us right heartily to your fair Richmond on the James. And while the hand-clasp was still warm, you gave us, as the sentiment of your feelings, " The Old Union, God bless her." From the time we parted at Appomattox we imagined a chasm still existing.
" But, rather, we found the breach filled. And instead of the jagged edges of strife and contention, or the precipitate walls of hate, in place were good feelings, tender regards and fraternal greetings. The chasm was obliterated, and we stood not as hos- tiles, but as allies of a common country-not across, but over a mound of the buried past.
"Scarce six months since our social intercourse commenced, but in the brief while, you have taught us how to love and esteem you as friends, as much, yes ! more, than we tried to hate you in days gone by. You taught us what true Virginian hospitality was. Nor do I think we were dull to learn or slow in accepting the situation.
" Again, you show your regard for us, and reciprocate our feel- ings, by your presence with us to-night. And here you once more compliment us by the donation of these beautiful volumes, thereby conveying, in a more tangible way than words, the emotions of the heart.
" You say to us they are history and may contain some things that have a greenish tinge, but we promise to read them carefully and without prejudice, keeping the true and leaving the false.
" As the representative of Aaron Wilkes Post, Grand Army of the Republic, I accept and most heartily thank you for this re- newed expression of kindly feeling.
" And, sir, bear to those whom you represent, whether on this floor or at home, a soldiers' cordial greeting, and say to them and all, whether business or pleasure may direct their way through New Jersey, halt at Trenton, and abide with us for a time.
" Your presence we shall at all times hail with pleasure."
The remarks of Commander Titus were received
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with cheers by the visitors, hosts and audience combined, which showed that his sentiments were those of all present.
The irresistibility of Southern chivalry was de- monstrated by the attack made upon the ladies. This was led by Major Joseph Bryan, also of the Richmond Howitzers. It was a beautiful floral tribute, designed by Major William L. Shepherd, of the Howitzer Association, and manufactured by Mr. Carlman Ribsam, florist, of this city. It con- sisted of a shield, having on its face a Confederate flag, with a star at the top and on each side, resting upon a bed of flowers. Around the base was the following inscription : "To the Ladies of Trenton, from the Virginians."
In presenting this testimonial to the ladies, descendants of those fair maidens who had wel- comed the great Virginian, as he had passed through Trenton, and strewed flowers in his path- way, Major Bryan made an eloquent and chival- rous address. He alluded to the influence of home life; to its effect upon the formation of the char- acter and to the effect of the care and influence of woman which moulds the career of men and nations. No reconciliation, he said, was possi- ble, unless sanctioned by woman, and none would . be complete except woman strewed the flowers of peace and good will over the scars and wounds of the great struggle. Flowers are the emblems of love and reconciliation. Over the battered
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fortifications on Southern battle-fields the sweet briar grows in luxuriance, hiding the hideous formations and emitting a grateful perfume. In concluding his eloquent remarks, he said the tribute which he had been deputed to present to the ladies of Trenton, bore the emblem of the " lost cause," and he begged them to accept it with all that chivalry could express, coming, as it did, from their heart of hearts.
Hon. James Buchanan replied. He said he accepted the beautiful tribute on behalf of the ladies of Trenton from his compatriots of Virginia. With all the sacrifices of the past, by either side, with all the horrors of those years, the sacrifices of women far surpassed all others. It was no easy task to have father, husband son or brother, leave the old homestead to rally under the flag of either North or South, in response to what each believed to be his duty. While the soldier was busied with the excitements and duties of army life, in the far off home sat the wife and the aged mother thinking of the husband and the son, wondering if he was still in the land of the living or had gone to that bourn from whence no travel- ler returns. Their hearts were broken for loved ones that came not back. We are glad, said the Judge, that among the amenities of this most pleasant occasion, you have remembered the ladies. Your tribute is as beautiful as it is touching. It is fitting that it should stand side by side with
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another trophy (the Yorktown Vase) which it has been our pride to capture on Virginia's soil. Yours is a fit trophy for our women to have cap- tured from your hearts. God was good when he gave us flowers, which, in their language, form, color and effect upon our senses, appeal to our natures and express the finer feelings of the heart. He said he received the offering believing that it was expressive of the fact that it represented the finer feeling of their hearts, which had been called into play during their visit. Flowers of peace blossom over the remains of war. Let us hope that hereafter, in this land, the cannon shall have no further use than to thunder on the glorious Fourth of July ; a day which that great Virginian, George Washington, left the American people as a common heritage. In conclusion he said he accepted the beautiful tribute on behalf of the ladies, and extended the Ex-Confederates an invi- tation to visit Trenton again.
The effect of the foregoing exercises-the inter- change of feeling and declarations of friendship- caused the thin ice of formality to melt beneath the beams of good will and fellowship that had been so happily and almost impreceptibly estab- lished.
Each of the visitors, as well as the ladies and other guests, had been provided with handsomely executed programmes, which gave notice that
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hand-shaking and speech-making was to be fol- lowed by terpsichorean exercises.
The programmes were tastefully printed upon white card board. On the outside was a raised shield, having the Grand Army badge in the cen- tre, printed in blue, while in red was the word "Souvenir " above the badge, and below it, in the same color, were the words "New Jersey-Virgi- nia." On the back, in blue, were the names of the committee, under whose direction the "light fantastic toe " was to be exercised.
Chairman of Floor Committee : HARRY A. DONNELLY. Gray Badge. General Floor Committee : WILLIAM H. EARLEY, SPENCER M. ALPAUGH, RICHARD R. WHITEHEAD, WILLIAM V. CONRAD. Blue Badge.
The inner leaves contained the legend of the event, the programme and the list of officers of the Post. They are as follows :
TAYLOR OPERA HOUSE. RECEPTION TENDERED OUR VISITING SOUTHERN FRIENDS, April 13th, 1882. AARON WILKES POST, NO. 23, G. A. R., DEPARTMENT OF NEW JERSEY.
PROGRAMME.
1. March-The Exposition. 2. Lanciers-" Patience," Boettger. 3. Waltz-" Pirates of Penzance," Catlin. 4. Quadrille, Polka- "The Chimes," Winkler. 5. Waltz, Polka-" Mein Schatzel," Lietze. 6. Lanciers-"Inspiration," Schepegrell. 7. Waltz-
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" Les Sirenes," Waldteufel. 8. Virginia Reel-To the Guests. 9. Promenade-Selections from "Billee Taylor." 10. Waltz- " Dreams of Home," Strauss. 11. Lanciers-"Court of Life," Faust. 12. Galop-"On the Go," Tremple. 13. Quadrille, Plain -" Palace Life," Schepegrell. 14. Waltz-" Tres Jolie," Wald- teufel. 15. Lanciers-" Enchantment," Faust. 16. Waltz-"Coney Island," Wallis.
Dancing at 10:30. Music by Prof. Winkler.
OFFICERS OF POST.
Commander, U. B. Titus ; Senior Vice Commander, R. C. Ivory ; Junior Vice Commander, C. T. Williams; Adjutant, E. V. Rich- ards; Quartermaster, C. P. Brown; Officer of the Day, J. P. Beach ; Officer of the Guard, W. H. Edmond; Chaplain, J. Mac- Kechney ; Surgeon, J. H. Struble.
PAST POST COMMANDERS.
James N. Rue, Louis C. Gosson, William Hatton, Edward L. Campbell, Richard A. Donnelly.
On the programme there were spaces for the names of partners, which were rapidly filled up. The campaigners of the Gray were the heroes of the hour.
The speech making having been concluded the signal was given and the grand march was begun, to the enlivening strains of Winkler's band. Gov- ernor Ludlow and Major Stringfellow led the happy, joyous company, after which the regular order of dancing was commenced. It was not long before the old soldiers of both armies were lost in the dizzy dance. The fair ladies of Jersey's capital and the chivalrous sons of Virginia, whirl- ed round the slippery floor, and it was evident that all were enjoying themselves as only friends could do. The cry was
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"On with the dance ! let joy be unconfined ; No sleep 'till morn, when Youth and Pleasure meet To chase the glowing hours with flying feet."
"All went merry as a marriage bell," dance succeeded dance. There were quadrilles, waltzes, and even the Virginia reel in honor of the guests. While the latter was in progress a banner bearing in large letters the motto, "Ole Virginia Never Tire," was lowered from the top of the stage, and occasioned much merriment. The festival, for such it was, was kept up until the "wee sma' hours " grew long, and then with farewell words, interchange of kind wishes, good-night was said, and the party separated. The campaigners of the Gray to the Trenton House, and their captors to their homes ..
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CHAPTER VI.
" O friends ! O heroes ! names forever dear, Once Sons of Mars, and thunderbolts of war ! Ah ! yet be mindful of your old renown, Your great forefathers' virtues and your own."-Homer.
The campaign of the veterans of the Gray was ended. After the reception and ball at Taylor Opera House the captives were released upon their parole of honor, that if ever they made a campaign to the North again it would be to Tren- ton, or, at least, that they would not pass Trenton by, but would attempt its capture once more. It is possible that if they do they may take the " Boys in Blue " by surprise, and then there will be some warm work. The captives, however, would not give their parole except there were conditions attached to it, one of which was that if the vete- rans of the North ever attempted a raid upon the South, they should do so via Richmond. The route was not stipulated, and it is supposed that it might be by the Peninsula, Spottsylvania, or up the James, at the option of the invaders, only that they should not occupy an unreasonably long time in getting there, as they had done in one attempt, which is now a pretty good size history in itself, in fact, a much greater one than the events re- corded in these pages. Both pledges were freely 11
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given, and as they say who study the "History of the Four Kings," so said the Boys of the Blue and the Gray, " honors are easy."
As was arranged, when the capture was effected at Philadelphia, otherwise called the City of Brotherly Love, and appropriately so, as far as the campaigns of the Blue and Gray are concerned, as soon as the Boys in Gray were paroled they scattered, possibly to make the task of recapturing them, if the captors should change their mind, more difficult. Some went to New York and some further East. Some traveled West, and others South in search of-well, many things. But they all returned to their homes and met again at Richmond. The Adjutant reported "The last man has returned, and I am happy to report none killed, but many wounded-disabled." When they met, if reports are true, there were voices heard accusing and excusing each other, and the only thing that they had lost, lost forever, we hope and trust and pray, was that feeling of animosity caused by the late unpleasantness. It was lost forever, and so will it ever, henceforward, be forgotten. The accusations and excuses, we suppose, were that they did not more fully take advantage of the opportunities for enjoyment and pleasure that presented themselves while they were raiding on the North. All we have to say to those who visited Trenton in the campaign of the Gray is, try us again, and if they don't complain,
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when they get home a second time, it will not be our fault. In the words of the President of "F " Company Association, "Such a fight as you have got to make then, will lay all your old fights way back on the shelf, and if you get out of this city alive, consider yourselves fortunate."
The campaign of the Gray, so far as the writer of these memoirs is concerned, is past. The cam- paigns of the Blue and the Gray are matters of his- tory, recorded in more lasting characters than the feeble pen of the writer could attempt-in char- acters of blood; perpetuated by significant hil- locks in almost every graveyard in this great country. As coming generations look upon these mementos, they will remember that each one is a monument as precious as those of stone or metal reared over the great and noble, a monu- ment to the heroism of the American soldier in the long bead-roll of bloody battles in which Americans were arrayed against Americans. A monument calling to mind deeds of bravery and valor unequalled in the world's history. A mon- ument to the brave men of the armies of both opposing factions, which will call up and receive for them that recognition which is justly their due, but which has not yet been accorded them. The time will come when the deeds of American soldiers, of the North and South, will receive their meed of honor, and their descendants may, with truth, be told :
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"Snatch from the ashes of your sires The embers of their former fires, And he who in the strife expires Will add to their's a name of fear, That tyrany will quake to hear."
The campaigns of the Blue and Gray were ter- rible experiences, as all who passed through them -either in the battle's van, fired with martial ar- dor, or at the homestead suffering from anxiety and dread,-can testify. But the Post-Bellum Campaigns of the Blue and Gray, are of a differ- ent and more pleasing character. Beginning as they did at Richmond and ending at Trenton, they are significant. They were the first re-unions of Federal and Confederate Veteran organizations, as such, that were held; and by them, no doubt, an impetus will be given to the feeling of good-will and reconciliation which is abroad in the land. The end will be that all the differences of the past will be forgotton and forgiven by the people of both sections, and that the words of the Father of his Country will be heeded. They were, "In contemplating the causes which may disturb our Union, it occurs as a matter of serious concern, that any ground should have been fur- nished for characterizing parties by geographical discriminations (North, South, Atlantic and Wes- tern) which designing men may endeavor to ex- cite, that a belief that there is a real difference of local views and interests. * * You cannot shield yourselves too much against the heart burn-
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ings which spring from these representations. They tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection." There ought to no New England man, no Western man, no Southern man, known in our dealings with each other, but all of us should be, what we are, Americans. The time is coming when this will be so. In fact, it has come, and come from the South, too; for in his reply to the reception address of Ex-Mayor Creveling, Major Stringfellow said, " I desire to forget the differences we have had, and remember only that we are Americans all.
We glory in that proud title, and united as we are by a common union, a union of free, sovereign and independent States, acknowledging one flag, and having one common destiny, we feel that, to-day, we are stronger and better, truer and more honored by the nations of the earth than we ever were before. We are Americans all! We love our country, and should her honor be assailed and her sons be needed, the veterans of the North and South would spring forward at her call, rally beneath her " broad Stripes and bright Stars."
" No fearing, no doubting, the soldier shall know, When here stands his country, and yonder her foe ; One look at the bright sun, one prayer to the sky, One glance where our banner floats glorious on high : Then on as the young lion bounds on his prey ; Let the sword flash on high, fling the scabbard away ; Roll on, like the thunderbolt over the plain ! We come back in glory, or come not again."
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The following are the members who composed the campaigners of the Gray. Their names will be found in
THE ROSTER.
Commanding Officer-Captain David N. Walker, of the Otey Battery. Adjutant-Captain Henry T. Miller, of the First Virginia Infantry.
OLD FIRST VIRGINIA INFANTRY.
Charles T. Loehr,
B. M. Angle,
A. I. Vaughan,
E. W. Martin,
Jas. E. Phillips,
T. S. Riddick,
Uriah Neale, Jno. J. Sinnott,
Isadore Lovenstein,
John Boucher,
A. R. Woodson,
F. Hebring,
A. T. Minor,
C. H. Epps,
W. L. Morris,
G. F. Deane,
Jno. A. Meanley,
T. H. Blankinship,
Wm. H. Keiningham,
T. J. Robertson,
I. B. Angle,
Jno. A. Lloyd,
M. Angle,
W. E. Chockley,
H. T. Miller.
OTEY BATTERY.
Montgomery West, Julian Binford,
Samuel G. Talbott, Lewis H. Blair,
Richard D: McCoy, Charles A. Spence,
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William H. Stratton,
Robert T. Briggs,
C. C. Bridges,
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