Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/188

 182 Southern Historical Society Papers.

present her with the badge of the Association. He said he knew that she was proud that she was a daughter of Virginia, and cer- tainly Virginia has no daughter of whom she has greater reason to be proud.

After the applause with which General Early was greeted had subsided, the chair put the motion, which received a unanimous and enthusiastic " Aye."

General Taliaferro, in a few fit words, presented the badge to Miss Davis, who came forward to receive it, and bowed her ac- knowledgments, with that grace which characterizes her, amid the enthusiastic and prolonged applause of the crowd.

The badge is in the form of the regular badges of the Associa- tion (a Confederate battle-flag), but instead of being made of baser metal is of pure gold and enamel, and is a beautiful specimen of the jeweler's art, as well as a very highly-prized souvenir of a notable occasion. On the reverse of the badge is the full name of the recipient, " Varina Anne Davis," engraved in enamel letters of red, white and blue. The badge was attached to a broad ribbon of the Confederate colors, and enclosed in a beautiful morocco case. It is an open secret that it was the gift of a distinguished and gal- lant Confederate General, who ordered " the handsomest badge that could be made regardless of cost."

At the close of the public exercises, the veterans and visitors crowded around " the daughter of the Confederacy," and gave her a grand ovation as they craved the privilege of shaking her hand, and speaking warm words of welcome to the daughter of our loved and honored chief. President Davis.

Miss " Winnie" [the pet name given her by her father has sup- planted the name with which she was christened at St. Paul's church, Richmond, soon after her birth in 1864] has been two months in Richmond Cthe guest of Dr. J. William Jones, Governor Lee, and General J. R. Anderson), and has received every attention from our people, while her varied accomplishments, sweet disposition, and charming manners have won the hearts of all who have met her.

On motion of General Joseph R. Anderson, the old officers — with the exception of Captain Walter K. Martin, deceased, whose place was filled by Mr. Lewis Ginter — were re-elected as follows : Presi- dent, General William B. Taliaferro ; Vice-Presidents, General Wil- liam Smith, Colonel Charles Marshall, Colonel James H. Skinner, General T. T. Munford, and Captain P. W. McKinney ; Chaplain, Dr. J. William Jones ; Executive Committee, Colonel William H. Palmer, Colonel Archer Anderson, Sergeant George L. Christian,