The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-05-19
dFor the Lancaster Ledg-r.l


Columbia, in COMPANY with two ofthe sur
viving members of Company !, Of the Pal
metto Regiment in order to attend the As
sociation, which has been spoken Of fre
quenty through the columns Of several pa.
pers Gas well IA of your own the under,
signed made notes of what met his obser-
walton and osvrs them, as they are, 30 your
readers.
On Saturday lst inst, we lef: home aud
arrived same evening at Columbia, nothing
happening Of importance. We put up at
Janey's and found him quite hosp,able and
altogether qualified 10 cater for the travell-
ing public spert the Sabbath at the NJ.
T.. Church, and wss entertained with very
impressive sermon from the Rev. Mr..
Pri,chard, on the following text "Be not
conformcd to this world" lie spoke of
the vices of The age generally, but bore
down with peculiar severity, upon the vo-
taries of the Ball Room
The next place visited, was the Arsenal
aud instead of meeting my old friend and
preceptor J. Matthews, the former superir,-
tend cnt, found Prof c. c. Tew, the sue.
cessor Of Major Matthews. Escorted by
Major Tew, had an opportunity Of exam
i.ing the premises thoroughly, and am
proud to state, that II is in Gouri,hing con-
diGon. lobserved that very important i'm
provemen,s had been made. one entire new
building and two additions TO another, be-
ing equal to three new ones with regard to
capacity. There are upwards of co cadets
in attendance and all seemed to be satisfied,
and they ought to be. for the state has made
considerable expenditure for this institu-
ton, aud has withnl improved the fare,
which is always the hobby Of the student
On the 4th, rs has been noticed, the Cadets
paradrd with the procession, and added
greatly to the display on that occasion.
Next, | visited The new State House I
will say nothing relating TO it, but as the
beautiful Pulnretto Tree stands on the
premises, in the rear. will describe it,
1t is made of bronze and stands on square,
pedestal, upon the sides Of which are vn.
graved the names Of The volunteers who
died o. were Killed in Mexico. The names
OF the officers are engraved on on, side,
and those OF the privates on the other three
sides. Among the former saw the name
OF Capt Leroy Secrcst, among those Of the
latter, were Marion G. Castor, and WIN. n.
Hilton, killed at Cherubusco. Harvey Ply.
ler, Anon McManus, Minor hilton, Sam'l
Hilton and George Hilton. who died with
disease, these are all that can remember.
The tree now stands in the rear, but as
soon as the Capitol is completed, it will he
transferred to th, front, 10 remain there as
nh o,nnmeut TO the foreground.
The ceremonies Of the celebration have
been noticed 80 often, will only add that
the speech Of Gen. Quitman, will be pub
lished in pamphlet form ard will be sold
for the benefit Of the Association. Ii is nv
earnest wish, both rs a citizen OF .his State
and as member Of the Palmetto regiment
that every person, who can read will obtain
c"py and learn what our Regiment has
endured.
IL NAV not bc out Of place to give an
idea of what is designed by the Palmetto
Association. IL is composed Of the survi.
'ors OF the Regiment AMI mcn,t cr,hip is
either annual or for life. by paying O. so
one becomes an annual member, after the
first year 90. A donation or fee OF S25,
is required TO constitute one n lif. member,
this money Is put iu treasury for the sup
port of INDECENT members.
While meeting with my old comrades in
arms, the trials Of the past revived in MEM
ory, and the attachment we cherished one
toward another was renewed. As an as,o.
ciation our meeting was mingled with Joy
and sorrow-joy that We were spared TO meet
again and sorrow to view the blanks left
by the destructive touch OF death. Among
the number ] saw Capt. A. J. Secrest, he
looks badly but was in good spirits.
While musing on the dark side Of the
picture, ] could see only one tenth (75) of
our chivalrous Regiment that went forth,
in the flower Of youth and buoyed up by n
patriotic hope but when gazed upon tho
bright side my heart swellcd with a soldiers
pride. | could see no stain, no bemi.h on
The eseutcheon Of tho Band all was glory,
victory after victory, conquest upon con.
| quest crowned our efforts.
Though oaly few rcmaia I thank my
God that those departed, to man, Gil a
soldiers grave.
BONES.
Lancaster, May 1853.