The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Staunton, Virginia's Grand Camp Reunion, 1900-- Part 2

"Dixie" was played by the Stonewall Brigade Band to open the ceremonies Oct. 10th at Columbian Hall ar Baldwin and Lewis streets.

On October 11th, 2,500 filled the building and heard the keynote address by Virginia Senator John W. Daniel, known as the "Lame Lion of Lynchburg" because of the crippling wound he received at the Battle of the Wilderness.

That afternoon, Stonewall Brigade survivors held a reunion and had an address by General Fitzhugh Lee, the nephew of Robert E. Lee.  Other former Confederate leaders made speeches throughout the day and "far into the night."

Principal hotels in Staunton reported housing 3,324 people for the three days of the Grand Camp.  Three restaurants reported as having fed 3,300.  Fifty boarding houses in the area reported another 225.

As many as 300 former Confederates unable to provide for themselves were treated to meals and lodging by the Grand Camp's entertainment committee and local citizens.

Staunton's hosting of the Grand Camp was deemed as the second largest and successful such event ever held.  The prior one was the laying of the cornerstone of the Jefferson Davis monument in Richmond in 1897.

Bringing Back Those Old memories.  --Old Secesh

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