Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 18.djvu/153

 Robert Edward Lee. 153

the principal streets of the city. All the organizations had full ranks and the column presented quite an imposing appearance.

OVER THE RIVER.

On the return of the procession to Main street the civic organiza- tions and the police were dismissed and the military went over to Portsmouth.

FREDERICKSBURG.

General Lee's birthday was celebrated by an imposing military and civic parade, one of the largest since the war. The streets were lined with people. From balconies and windows the ladies saluted the procession by waving of handkerchiefs and clapping of hands. Many of the houses were decorated with the Stars and Stripes and the Confederate battle-flag. Portraits of General Lee were also numerously displayed. The Stars and Stripes were carried in line by nearly all of the parading organizations. Captain Daniel M. Lee was chief marshal.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

In Atlanta the day was generally observed, markedly by the Vir- ginia Society composed of natives of Virginia.

Saturday evening, January lyth, Captain W. Gordon McCabe, reached the city. He came as the guest of the Virginia Society, and as the orator of the day.

AT THE CAPITOL.

The exercises at the Capitol were held in the House of Repre- sentatives, and commenced promptly at 8 o'clock. President Hamil- ton Douglas called the society to order, and after prayer by the chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Funsten, Captain McCabe was introduced. His address was upon the "Life of Lee" and "The Defence of Petersburg." The hall was crowded with an enthusiastic audience, which was in full sympathy with the theme of the speaker.

CAPTAIN MeCABE'S ADDRESS.

VIRGINIANS: I bear to you the greetings of our mother as you gather here to do honor to the memory of her greatest son.

And to you, too, men and women of Georgia, this mother, on