Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 20.djvu/52

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46 Southern Historical Society Papers.

A committee had been appointed to write to General Fitz. Lee, Colonel W. A. Morgan (the last colonel of the regiment), Colonel W. W. Blackford, the second captain of the company, and Colonel John S. Mosby, who went into the war as a private of the company, and remained in it about one year.

Letters were read from General Lee, Colonel Morgan, and Colonel Blackford. No reply was received from Colonel Mosby, who, it is presumed, did not receive the invitation in time to reply before the day named.

These letters and replies were read by Hon. C. F. Trigg :

ABINGDON, June 13, 1892. General FITZHUGH LEE, Glasgow, Va. :

DEAR SIR There is to be a reunion of the survivors of Com- pany D, First Virginia Cavalry, at this place on July 4th, and I have been directed to notify you of the fact, and extend to you a cordial and pressing invitation to be present and participate in the reunion, and meet again such survivors of the company as we may be able to bring together.

That company followed you as lieutenant colonel, colonel, briga- dier-general, and major-general during almost the entire war, and you know, perhaps, better than any person living, the character of its service ; and the men who survive will be glad to meet again an officer whose ringing voice has so often been heard by them in com- mand, and one who, while frequently ordering them into action, never sought to do so from a safe distance, and most frequently went forward to show them what to do and how to do it.

It is hoped that you may be able to be present, and thereby add to the enjoyment of the occasion by all the other participants. Very truly and respectfully yours,

R. M. PAGE.

GLASGOW, VA., June 30, Judge R. M. PAGE, Abingdon, Va. :

MY DEAR JUDGE I greatly regret that my duties and engage- ments here are such that I cannot meet Company " D " on the 4th of July. As you know, I always had the highest opinion of the courage, capacity, and service of old " D " Company, of my old