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“The old Dominion,” &c., &c., and appropriate responses were made.
The speeches on both sides were manly, generous, free from cant, and such as befit soldiers.
It was “the next day” when the whole company united in singing the Star Spangled Banner.
On the morning of the 13th, carriages appeared at the hotel as if by magic.
The private carriages of many of the best citizens of Trenton were amongst them.
Each carriage contained at least one Wilkes Post man as guide.
So we went to see the sights.
The first place visited was the State House, a very neat and handsome building, where we were welcomed by his Excellency the Governor, in a very pleasant little address to which Major Chas. S. String-fellow responded.
And this reminds me that the Major had already been called upon to respond to the address of welcome of the Mayor of the town and had done it handsomely.
We were then guided to all the places of interest in and about the town, seeing, in the course of the ride a great Stud Farm, the wonderful Potteries, the great Steel and Iron Works, Rubber Works, &c., &c.
This accomplished the guests returned to the hotel and prepared for the reception tendered by the ladies, at Taylor's Opera House.
The parquette of the fine theatre was planked over for dancing, and the house was tastefully decorated.
A fine band was in attendance and discoursed appropriate music.
The Governor and his staff were present in full dress and were very agreeable and earnest in their attentions.
The ladies, maid and matron, were there in full force, and were, of course, the “light” of the occasion.
Did we dance?
Why certainly!
On the morning of the 14th, after a most delightful visit, the ex-Confeds.
left for home, bearing with them a keen sense of the extreme good taste, hospitality and generosity of the entertainment which they had received — for, notwithstanding the number and variety of the means used to make our stay agreeable, and the fact that we numbered nearly one hundred we were not allowed to pay for anything in Trenton.
I sincerely believe that friendships were formed there which will endure till the parties to them are no more.
Richmond, VA. 1882.
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