spoke of his father's service through four years, and said he believed the cause a just and righteous one. He believed that no cause led by Generals Lee and Jackson could be other than a righteous cause. He closed with an allusion to a small painting in the Library Building, at Washington, of "Stonewall" Jackson and his men praying, and said that picture had attracted more attention than any in that notable gallery.

The meeting was then adjourned by Commander Spence, and the request that none would make an effort to leave the hall until General Wheeler and his party had gone to their carriages was duly regarded.

RECEPTION AT THE EXECUTIVE MANSION.

General Wheeler held a public reception at the Executive Mansion, after the adjournment of the meeting at Lee Camp Hall, and from 10 o'clock until 11:30 people flocked to greet the distinguished visitor, who had some happy remarks to make to each one.

The hall of the mansion was decorated with the State and national colors, standing side by side behind stacked arms. The Jefferson orchestra played during the function. Despite the lateness of the hour, it is estimated that fully 300 persons were present.

Those receiving were Governor Tyler and the following members of his staff: Colonel C. O'B. Cowardin, Colonel Tennant, Colonel Skelton, and Colonel Carrington; Mrs. Tyler, Mrs. C. O'B. Cowardin, Mrs. Tennant, Mrs. J. Taylor Ellyson, Mrs. A. J. Montague.

After the reception General Wheeler dined with Governor Tyler and the members of his family, others present being Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Montague, Mr. and Mrs. J. Taylor Ellyson, Congressmen De Armond, Jones, and Lamb; Captain Cussons, Major N. V. Randolph, Mr. Robert Lecky, Jr., Mr. E. P. Cox, and Mr. E. L. Spence, Jr.

JANUARY 17, 1899.

General Wheeler in person is small and slight, about the size of the late and lamented Judge F. R. Farrar ("Johnny Reb "), about five feet six inches in height; but, as has been signally evinced, he is a little bundle of steel nerves, and as it were electrically charged.

Although General Wheeler did not retire Monday night until some time after the midnight hour, he sprang from his bed like a school-boy yesterday morning when Colonel John Murphy went to

his room at 8:30 o'clock, looking as fresh as though he had had a long night's rest.

With his characteristic quickness, it was but a few moments before General Wheeler was dressed and down in the lobby, where he was greeted by a number of persons who had gathered, eager to see the old hero.

Shortly after 9 o'clock the General sat down to an excellent breakfast, in company with Judge D. A. DeArmond, Hon. W. A. Jones, Captain John Lamb, and Mr. John Murphy.

The morning meal was dispatched quickly, and about 10 o'clock Captains' John Cussons, John E. Laughton, Jr., and Major T. A. Brander appeared on the scene with three carriages to take the distinguished guests around the city.

In the party were Captain Cussons, Major Brander, Judge De Armond, Captain Laughton, Captain Lamb, and Colonel W. E. Cutshaw. The drive was quite an extensive one, and the visitors were shown many of the historic places, monuments, and buildings around the city. The veteran warrior seemed to enjoy his trip heartily, and showed the liveliest interest in everything that was shown him. He entertained the party by a number of interesting reminiscences, and sustained the reputation which he bears of being one of the most unassuming and charming of companions.

VETERANS WELCOME HIM.

Just before 12 o'clock the party reached the Soldiers' Home, and as they drove up the broad carriage-way a salute of welcome was boomed forth by thirteen guns. The Soldiers' Home Band, headed by Major N. V. Randolph, greeted the party, and conducted its members into the mess hall, where, after the cheering had subsided Major Randolph introduced General Wheeler, who delivered an eloquent address.

Judge DeArmond followed him in a speech abounding in good feeling, and the speech-making was closed by Captain Lamb.

The veterans then formed in line and General Wheeler shook hands with each one, after which he went through the hospital and greeted cheerily those who were confined to their beds. Many faint cheers from the sufferers followed the active, wiry figure of the old hero, whose coming was a bright spot in the lives of the old soldiers.

Nearly an hour was spent at the Home, and the party returned to the city, driving at once to the Woman's Club.

From 2 to 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon General Wheeler was tendered a reception and luncheon by the Woman's Club, and practically all the members embraced the opportunity to meet the old hero. It was thought that I o'clock was the hour set, and before that time the room began to fill. Upon General Wheeler's arrival with his escort-Major Thomas Brander, Captains Laughton and Lamb, Colonels Cutshaw and Cussons, and Judge DeArmond-they were crowded. Governor Tyler was the first to welcome him, and he was immediately conducted into the parlor, where the Reception Committee were in waiting. These were the officers of the club— Mrs. L. L. Lewis, Mrs. Thomas, Misses Guillaume, Jane Rutherfoord, and Mrs. J. B. Halyburton.

In a graceful speech Mrs. Lewis introduced the General, referring happily to the distinction which made the introduction unnecessary.

General Wheeler then in a brief address paid a fine tribute to woman. He had not anticipated that he would be asked to make a speech, but had thought he would simply have the pleasure of meeting the ladies of the club.

HIS TRIBUTE TO WOMAN.

He then referred to the effect of culture in women as greater or rather more subtle than in men, and said that perhaps it would convey his meaning more clearly, if he said that the difference seemed like the difference between the effect of the finest polish possible to marble, and that possible to common stone. He had no words in which to express his sense of women's power in the world. The press of the country in its kind and generous reference to the Amercan soldiers, in the late war, has spoken of victory as attributable to "the men behind the guns." He wished to qualify that, and say that victory was due, in large measure, to the "women behind the men behind the guns." (Loud applause.) He cited a number of instances to prove the courage of woman in times when death was the almost certain end. It remained a fact, said he, that men boasted of courage and women of cowardice, yet in time of peril the latter invariable proved their superiority in the former sterling virtue. (Applause.) He referred to the faithful and fearless ministry of women in times of fatal pestilence, and, in conclusion, said that in

his belief she who was first in all that was noble on earth, would also be first in the kingdom of God!

LUNCHEON SERVED.

After the reception, General Wheeler and his party were conducted to the luncheon, under the escort of the Board of Directors, who are Mesdames Archer Anderson, L. L. Lewis, T. William Pemberton, Miss Claire Guillaume, Miss Jane M. Rutherfoord, J. Arthur Lefroy, Reginald Gilham, Christopher Tompkins, John Hunter, William L. Sheppard, F. D. Williams, H. W. Hazard, Edmund Strudwick, Miss Margaret H. Lee and W. D. Thomas.

Here Mrs. William Sheppard and Mrs. A. E. Warren were on hospitable duty, and were assisted by Mrs. Thomas Jeffress. Chocolate was served by Mrs. R. B. Munford, coffee by Mrs. John W. Harrison, meats by Mrs. Lewis Aylett, oysters by Mrs. Horace Hawes, Mrs. William Parrish and Misses Berta Wellford, Margaret Branch, Mary Lewis, Louise and Adele Williams.

The following gentlemen of the Advisory Board were present: Messrs. Virginius Newton, Peter H. Mayo, Colonel Archer Anderson and Mr. Reginald Gilham. There were many callers. A reception was held at the Confederate Museum from 4 to 8 o'clock, and many citizens and veterans availed themselves of the opportunity to greet the gallant hero. General Wheeler, with Mrs. Joseph Bryan, President of the Confederate Memorial Literary Society, Mrs. James H. Dooley, and the ladies representative of the several State roomsthe Advisory Board and representatives of the Veteran Camps and of that of the Sons-received the admiring host which continually thronged the Museum building.

From the Museum, General Wheeler returned with his party to Murphy's Hotel, and after partaking of supper, drove to the ByrdStreet Station, whence he returned to Washington. To the gentlemen who accompanied him to the depot he expressed his pleasure at the ovation accorded him here, and said he hoped soon again to visit Richmond.

20

A RECOLLECTION OF PELHAM.

How Two of His Guns held out Against Six of the Enemy.

One day in the latter part of August, 1863 (I write from memory only), General Pleasanton, with a large force of cavalry, had been feeling for General Lee's army, which lay near Orange Court House, and "Our Fitz," even then a boy general, had been gallantly fighting every inch of the ground to prevent Pleasanton from crossing the Rapidan, and successfully; for, so far as I know, none of his troops had crossed the river. I, with a party of nine, had flanked the right of Pleasanton's line, and was pushing through the woods to gain the rear, when I ran into and was captured by the 6th New York Cavalry. I had on a pair of new boots and two beautiful blisters on each heel. As long as I could move, under excitement, I did not feel the pain; but when captured and made to stand still a while, I found I could not walk. Fortunately I had been turned over to a good fellow, a sergeant in the 6th New York, who, seeing my inability to walk, gave me the privilege of riding behind him, though but a few minutes before he had his six-shooter at my head and was about to see how much of a hole a 40-calibre bullet would make in a man's skull at a close distance.

As we rode to the rear we emerged from the woods and to our left was a large open field, in which was a six gun battery having a picnic. I said: "Sergeant, that is my branch of the service. As we are not under any special orders, please ride over and let us watch the guns." When we arrived we found a six gun battery of 3-inch steel rifles-then the best gun known for field use. The guns were new, the harness, men and horses were spick and span, but they were doing some very poor shooting.

On the opposite side of the river, probably three quarters of a mile or so, there was a formation of the hills, by which the road was concealed, except for what I guess was about 200 yards. A train of wagons was attempting to pass this open space. They would come in view one at a time, evidently each driver would take a good start and by the time he opened up on the road his mules were going at a gallop. I would see him standing up in his stirrups, cracking his whip and could imagine the oaths and curses he uttered. I even thought I could hear some of them as some loud-mouthed fellow