I have a Fresno newspaper clipping for Memorial Day, 1885, headlined "It's Observance in Fresno under the Auspices of the Blue and Gray Veterans."
"The Blue and Gray Veterans had the management, and, as they always do, made a success of the celebration. . . after performing the ceremony of decorating the graves of the departed soldiers, both Blue and Gray, the Veterans again formed in line, and after firing three vollies [sic] over the graves of their dead comrades, the sad rites of the day were concluded and the procession moved back to town. . . At the close of the concert, the Veterans and their friends adjourned to a camp-fire on the vacant lots opposite the Opera House, where the soldier's bill-o-fare (hardtack, beans and coffee) was served to all who desired to partake"
The organization at this time was commanded by Col. H. St. George Hopkins, CSA.
He was instrumental in forming the Order of Union and Confederate Veterans in Virginia City, NV, later the Blue & Gray Veterans in Fresno.
George Martin
Sparks, NV
HOPKINS, Henry St. George: Lietueant Colonel and Surgeon
Henry St. George Hopkins was born circa 1835 in Winchester, Virginia. He graduated from the University of Virginia and the University of Pennsylvania He became a resident of Baltimore, Maryland. Henry enlisted as Private in Co. H, 27th Virginia Infantry. He was discharged and promoted to Lieuteant Colonel on June 1, 1861, and commissioned as a staff officer for Colonel William P. Nelson. He was transferred to the Medical Department, C. S. A. and placed in charge of the Ambulance Corps (Surgeon in Charge), Richmond. He was also Chief Surgeon on the staff of General Ruggles. He was paroled at Augusta, Georgia. After the war he was a physician and surgeon who opened a practice in Elko, Nevada with his partner Franklin J. White from Virginia. In June 1870, their practice was reestablished in Virginia City, Nevada. In January 1871, their office was upstairs in the rear of Sutter-Lee's Gallery, corner 'C' and Taylor Streets. . . Henry served as Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements for the first Order of Union and Confederate Veterans (O. U. & C. V.) Grand Reception and Ball held January 8, 1877 at Cooper's Hall in Virginia City, Nevada. He relocated to Oakland, California circa 1877, residing at 1417 Grove Street. His wife, Katie D., died of an accidentally inflicted gunshot wound (established as accidental) at home on January 27, 1881. Henry and Katie had four children: Evelyn P. 13, born in Maryland; Frank D. 11, born in Maryland; Mary M. 9, born in Nevada; and Alice H. 5, born in California. In 1881, he settled in Fresno, California where he was a member of the Sterling Price Camp, United Confederate Veterans. Henry died in Fresno on June 25, 1914, at age 80.