The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-08-27
The Review at MorroW's.

The Annual Review Of the Sth Regiment OF
S. G.. Militia came or at Morrow's Old Field,
OH Tuesday Inst. uni as usual we did duty on
the occasion. Tuking n seat with friend, we
started SOON after breakfast, for the sake of
avoiding the dust and being early upon the
scene of operations. The weather was cool and
pleasant the distance only 7 or 8 miles the
road as level as an inclined plane. and but for
the dust, we would have had a delightful ride.
Although early wo found upon arrival n
good number already assembled, and collected
in groups, in front Of the various refreshment
stands, which skirted the old field. OF these
there was fair proportion of the Candidates,
who upon these occasions, are usually among
the first arrivals Others followed, and soon
there was a representation Of the citizen SOL
d,ers from the various parts of the widely cx-
tended Regiment; mostly in citizens dress
and muskct in hand, with here and there, IL
nodding plume, or braided coat. The ladies'
too were out in stronger force than usual but
the attendance generally was very small. and
indicated waning spiri. of military cnthu-
siasm.
Between IL and II o'clock, the line was
formed by the Adj djutant, j. q. Wilson, and the
command assumed 10y the Lieut.. Col. Rogers
who acted as Colonel, on the occasion. Upon
the extreme right stood the Veteran -1rtll'ry
Company. who after the lnpse of 50 years,
from its organiZltion have again rciuvcnatcd
thcm.elves- br the election Of set Of active
young officers, and the adoption of IL new antl
very becoming uniform a: and on the left were
stationed, the we'll equipped anil well drilled
company from the village, the .IbbcriNc Liyh
Mfmfry. The Regiment WAS then reviewed
hy Gen. M"ragne: and Staff, and after promptly
performing the various cvoluiions assigned
was addressed in n very appropriate speech
by the General, which WAS we'll received anJ
generally commended.
The present occasion he said. was one Of in
terest to him, from the fact that the home @
his nativity WAS in the Savannah Regimen,
and that he saw here many Of the familiar fl
ces of his boyhool; hut it was matter of re
grct to him to behold here the decline Of til,
proper military spirit, anil general dispo.i
tion to avoid duty cnjonel 10y law. Our.
was country, where the people made theil
| own laws, and where they alone had the pow
! cr ofmoditying them and us long as they re-
maincd upon the statute book. it WAS c!cnrl,
the duty of every good citizen to obey them
| The present militia system he thought necdct
| some change but he was not for altering it.
| essential character aud spirit. An army o
10000 regular troops coull not protect 50, ODo,
900, of souls, but the preservation of our lib
critics depended upon the strong arms an,
stout hearts of its citizen solicry. lie ia
vored modification, which whilst it woul,
impose the active duties OF the company drill
| upon young men between II aud %, would r.
quire the citizens generally to attend once
year for review. This in connect ion with in,
proved modes Of living. and the frequent prac
tce of manly exercises on the part of our cffenl
innte youth, would give US u reliable mitar
| force.