Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 22.djvu/392

 Southern Historical Society Papers.

line of march, conjured up such a world of tender reminiscences and deep emotions as no amount of artifice could conceal in the counte- nances of the older members, both of the soldiery and citizens.

For the rest, the music was chiefly martial in character, consist- ing of quick steps, well-known marches, and patrols, rendered with- out exception in excellent style.

Prominent among the many organizations that contributed in such a marked degree to the pleasure of the occasion was the band organ- ized in memory of Stonewall Jackson, from whom it takes its name, and composed of prominent business and professional men in the city of Staunton. The instruments used by this superb aggregation are of the most costly material and workmanship, and their playing has acquired an artistic finish and precision that is highly gratify- ing, and, indeed, rarely found in any but metropolitan institutions. After the unveiling the band paid a high compliment to the Dispatch by a serenade late in the afternoon. Several hundred persons col- lected, and the band's rendering of "The Bonnie Blue Flag," a Russian mazurka, Turkish patrol, and "Dixie" were loudly cheered.

THE WELCOME.

The visitors were received with the characteristic welcome of the city; tried comrades were re-united in many homes, and Lee Camp of Confederate Veterans fed nearly 4,000.

The crowning event of the memorable day was the brilliant recep- tion in the evening at the Executive Mansion of the veterans and visiting soldiery by Governor and Mrs. O'Ferrall.