Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-03-29
THE m.ss.ssIFRs TROOPS a,

HULL EEMaANG9h
EDIToRs APPTAL: After witnessing the glo-
rious reception Of the Mississippi troops in
Memphis yesterday afternoon, I went to Holly
Springs to bid adieu to old friends and relations
about to leave that place for Pensacola. I got
to Holly Springs at midnight, and, much tony
surprise, found the town as quiet as though
nothing unusual wers about to occur. Before
daylight this morning, however, sounds Of mar
tisl musie billed the air, and the first ray Of the
rising sun fell upon the columns Of The 'sHome
Guasdsn and he ref Davis Rides" attended
~ a vast coDeourse Of citizens, moving to-
ward the depot. At the depot a splendid ban
ner, the national red, white and blue, was
presented by Miss Edmondson to the Rifles.
Her fine figure and beautiful face were set of
to the greatest advantage bya close-htting
dress Of grsy cloth, trimmed with blaek-the
uniform Of the Rihes-and a cap Of the same
material. In presenting the banner, she made
an eloquent and effective speech, mest admira-
bly, delivered, which was responded to BY Capt.
Sam Benton, Of the Rifles, in a manner equally
felicitous. Il seemed that The whole Popala-
ton OF The town had gathered for the parting
as well as many from the surrounding country.
Ny estimate is that three thousand persons
were present.
These two companies embrace members OF
almost every family in the place. Fathers and
sons stood side by side in theranks. Mr.. Fai-
esner. the editor Of the Southern Herald was
there With tive sons. Among the volunteers
also. are some OF the most eminent lawyers Of
the state, IS well as merchants and represent
atives from every occupation and pursuit. No
less than fourteen lawyers were included, leav-
ing, l believe, only four at home. The circuit
court began its service on Monday morn
ing. but was compelled te adjourn for want Of
counsel. From one store, a branch Of the house
Of Lehman & Co., of this place, employer and
clerks all went, and more than one law Office is
entirerely closed. When such men as Harris,
and Waiter, and Bauton, and Falconer and
Mason, leave their homes for the field, there
can be no doubt that reason and judgment, not
passion and prejudice, govern their conduct.
The heart Of noble and enthusiastic young men
might be accused Of rsshness ard impetuosity,
though wives lust learning to wear their names,
chung about the peeks OF some, and fond moth
ers and anxious sisters wept over others, while
still others had to struggle against the mingled
pleadings Of wives, children. mothers and sis
ters, but when whole people are aroused, and
an pursuits are lsidsaside, and men in middle
life, OF high talents, and the strongest family
and business ties, tear themselves away from
all, and 90 out to battle, If need be, in any
cause, it cannot be doubted that high principle
and grave interests are involved in that cause,
Dor that the battle they wage must bring vic
tory or death.
While I gazed upon that scene Of weeping
women and men whose qniysrink lips and
moistened eyes betrayed their deep emotion, |
could not but mutter an exscration upon those
who have driven the Confederate States to the
necessity for such action, and upon the luke
warm if not traitorous natural niles Of those
States, who still adhere TO the common enemy.
IL q battle shall be fought, and the blood Of
these noble volunteer soldiers be shed, the
feeling and the cry for vengeance will arouse
all Mississippi as one man; and 80 it will be
with every other one Of those glorious seven
sisters whose sons may fall. Then an army
will be poured into the field before which no
hireling soldieFy, and no force Of misguided or
malicious abolition. fanatics, can make way.
I trust in God that blood so precious will not
be shed. One such man as those whom Mis-
sissippi is now sending forth is worth a thou
sand Of the miserable wretches who can be
found to fight under the Biack-Republican
standard: and il is sad to think that such lives
are TO be risked in contest so unequal.
When she train came up from below to the
depot at Holly Springs, It brought a company
from Waterford, and one from Oxford, the
whole force, numbering four hundred men, IN
der command Of AdTutant McGuirk, then came
on to the juno ion, where they were welcomed
BY a large crowd. Here the two Holly Springs
COMPANIES were veTV impressively addressed by
]. W. C. Watson, ESQ on behalf Of "he old
guard" Of Holly Springs. While J 2 was speak
ing, the eastern train from the East, on the
Memphis and Charleston road, came mp, hav-
ing Judge Longstreet on board. The Judge was
called ont, and, standing in that large assem-
blsge, offered up a fervent prayer for the de-
parting volunteers, and for the blessing Of
heaven upon the cause in whose support they
were enlisted.
Preparations were then begun for the de-
parture Of the troops, in the special train pro-
vided for them. Our train left for Memphis
while these preparations were going forward.
/ suppose before this time the companies from
Marshall and Lafayette have united, at Cor
NTH, with their comrades, who were here yes
terdsy and now, no doubt, they are all en-
route for Mobile.
The plot thickens, and the catastrophe can
not be far distant. II the conflict comes, under
which flag will Tennessee fight? | told, with
pride and pleasure, to the people of Marshall,
what a reception had been given in Memphis
Yesterday to the Mississippi volunteers, and I
ventured to promise that, when the war begins,
a Memphis regiment, Of men good ami true,
would be fonnd to stand, in worthy compan-
ionship, beside the soldiers Of the Confederated
States, and battle with them for southern
rights. So mote it be-. r.
MARCH %, 1861.