The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-05-22
The Palmetto Association,

of this Association, on the 18th nst.,. in Culuhl.
bin:
The anniversary celebration of the Palmetto
Association took place yesterday, and was
the occasion of n beautiful and imposing de-
lnonstration. Elcvu!ing md most comncndable
in its design, il tasteful and complete in its
execution. We We're pleased to notice that
many OF the places of business Were closed dur.
ing the celebration, as mark of respect both
ia the gallant dead and the honor cd survivors
of the PdiD,ctiocs.
The procession. escorted by that fine body of
solliery, the Vcluatccy Battalion passed
thr5ug!i several of the streets of the city, and
finally reached the Court House square, where
commodious awning had been prepared. The
procession then divided and proceeded to the
stage in inverted order. On the stnyc we no
ticcd the Governor, Col. l.. NJ. Kcitt, and the
remnant of the palmrtocs prescnt-about 80 in
number. The Judges, also, honorcd the occa-
sion with their presence.
The exercises openel with n beautiful earn.
est, and appropriate prayer from the Rev. Ro-
bert W. Burnwell,- who among other things, be-
sought the favor of Heaven upon the widows
and orphans of those members of the Palmetto
RryimcIt who had fallen i'll the cause Of their
country.
The President Of The Association, w II. Stan
ley, Esq. then introduced to the audience the
Orator of the day. Gen. Samuel Mctiownn, Of
Abbcrillc--n man ot fine appearance and sol
dierly bea>hg-who, in narrating things Of
which he WAS great part entered sY,irifo
into his theme, and in clear and eloquent style
gave expression to the sentiments "f his truth
tu heart. Like gallant ship, with sails
spread, and cOors flying, he bore down upon
his subject, and after graphing with it, with
,lrew sadlv V. amid the cries of the dying and
the moans of The sick. OF the living he furbore
to speak, but to the dead Of the regiment, lie
paid eloquent tributes.
We faIy intended TO attempt report Of this
very admirable address, and took note for that
purpose, but We really feel that We w"uld i"
injustice to the Orator, were We to undertake il.
We therefore await its publication in full and
will only add, i'll addition TO what We have al
ready said, that the Palmetto Regiment hus
been happy in their selection Of cn. McGowan
us their exponent on this occasion.
The Carolina 2;a'ts, presents tho following
complimentary notice OF the Address:
Were We required to comprise MI that We
would say Of the speech in one word. we
would say that it r,aCnfcent-magnifi-
cent in ccnccpt:on-magniiiccn in adapt alton
4. to the occasion) magnificent in express
ion and magnificent in the delivery. Nothing
could have exceeded it i'll these rcspccts-in ali
that was essential to the theme, the time, the
circumstances, the intervening incidents and
the OCCASION 1t was just, it phiosophi-
cal. it was grand. Nothing that could be said
was omittcd-nothing that ought to have been
nuiu WIS ncSicclcu II was, III JruLn, noble
production-a just tribute to the patriotism
and the services Of the gallant band which so
honorably represented the State. 1t was, in
short n noble theme and it was nobly executed
and We hope it will be obtained for publica.
ton. i'll pamphlet form.
On the evening the Celebration the Pal
mcttos, were entertained by the City Coun-
Gil Of Columbia, at very handsome supper,
Of which the Carolinian affordsa very enter
tanning sketch:
The following constituted the roll of the
Palmetto Association present, with the addi
tion of Mr.. Schoonmaker, of the Georgia Reg
inent:
Company A.-Thos NJ Baker, j. D. Bland
ing.
Company 30. T. Gibbcs R. A. Pagan.
Company D.-Anthoncy Delorea.
Company E.-S. McGowan.
Company F.-E M Gilbert. Henry Wiengcs,
Tlos. Ii. Thayer, james D. Wright, James n.
Henderson.
Company G.-w. B. McCreight. E. A. Duke,
Elins Earle, NJ. Stuber.
Company H.-W. B. Stanley, II. f. Scott,
Thomas Beggs, Henry Beard, w. +. Purse,
Hugh Miller, Jerome NJ Miller, Il. S. Morri-
son, Jas. B. Glass Jacob Pollock, John Glaze,
II. I. Caughman, j. II. Shiverncl, L. H. Ire
vet William Mooney.
Among the invited guests were his Excellcn-
cv Gov. Alston, Coils. B. T. Watts, A. j. Green,
and 7. p. Robertson, Of his Staif Hon L. 81.
kcitt, Hon. ". /. DeSaussure, Gen. j. Jones,
Prof J. 7. Thomas; Maj Mcighan and the
officers Of the Independant Battalion f. Bel
lingcr, Esq, Mr.. Britton, of the Carolina Times,
the Editor Of the South Carolinian, and several
other citizens.
Speeches in reply to various complimentary
toastet We're made by Gov. Allston, Gen.
McGownn L. Bellinger, Esq, Hon. W. F.
al w ID
ley, Esq, and others Dr. R. W. Gibbcs
was called upon to read the following
interesting letter in his possession, addressed
by Gen. Shields TO his late Exccllcncy Gov
crnor David johnson, which constitutes the
highest testimonial to the courage and patriot
ism Of the Palmetto Regiment:
IIEApoCARTrRs lsr BRIcoVoL. DIv.,
SAN AUGrsTIS, Sept. g 847.
SIR Permit me to condolc with You and
your State, upon the loss of one of its citizens,
and ono of the hravcst and noblest officers of
the army. Col. Pierce NJ. Butler. He rose from
Il sick bed, on the l0tllult when his regiment
was ordered to march from this place. to the
battle field Of Contreras placed himself ut its
head, and weak and feeble ms he then was en-.
couraged and animatcd his troops over one of
the most difficult routes ever trod by the foot
of man.
On the morning of the 25,h, when the attack
was made Oh the cnenly's position, he threw
his regiment across tho main road to Mexico,
and poured fire SO terrible and destructive
on the enemy's masses, that tho rond and corn
field might be said to be left literally covered
with the dead and dying.
From Contrcras, where the force under Val
encia was broken to pieces, we pursued the
routed foe towards Mexico, and came up with
the main body of his nrmy strongly fortified
of bo vii rf Al, A.,
against that portion ofthc force which had
the honor to command were fearful, five to one
at least with every advantage of ground
Nothing, however, remained for us hut TO rs,
anult and carry his position. A check under
tho circumstances would be equivalent to de-
feat, and defeat would result in the entire de-
etruction of the army. Weadvance, therefore,
against the enemy, under one ofthe most ter
rible fires to which soldiers were ever subject
ed. Thcroll of musketry was SO inceSsant
that it resembled one prolonged continuous
volleY. THE, conduct of the Palnetto ReSi-