Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1861-04-18
LIFE IN TIRE CAMP
MO. Ia
Wtsten jor the Fayetteville Observer.
Eonn AIan1 n.;i Q 1901

~ o. Wallace, Esq:
DEAR SIR-But fortnight since
| Inflicted upon you few tines in the
capacity of civilian. Since then I
have assumed the praiseworthy posi-
lion Of a "high private" 10 tire yo,-
unteer corps of Alabama. The Mad
i>oa Rifles, to which | have the han
or to belong, are composed Of 100 Sc
lect members, commanded by Capt.
j. G. Coltart, who is a competent Of
feer, and dignifed and highly-es-
teemed citizen Of Huntsville; indeed
there are few in the company but are
immediate citizens of or intimate ely
connected in that city, including men
Of wealth and high position in So
ciety, who, sctuated by that patriot
ic impulse SO prevalent through the
South, have .elinqaished for time
their vacations, the eompanionship oil
! friends and endearments of home, to-
render a. voluntary service to their
country when and wherever shemay
command them. The company were
presented with a beautiful flag by
Miss Mary Rassel, in behalf of the
ladies' of Huntsville, on the 25th,
and received by Private W. w
Brickell. The addresses were short,
patriotic, anG suited to the occasion.
Miss r., who represented Alabama,
was attended three young ladies on
either side. each bearing streamers
lrepresenting he otler six seeded
States. respectively. The large as.
senbIy which were collected in the
court-house green. manifested their
appreciation by manilesiing the ut
most good order and dtcoium during
the enti:e eere mony. The Southern
MaIsf illaise was then sung, accom-
panied by instrumental music, which
sent Il thrill through every one whose
pleasure it was TO be present sur
passing in effect even the original
hemu. 1t may be the result Of pref
udice. but the Gag With three stripes
of our Phoenix Republic appeared
more beautiful and awakened a live
Iier emotion Of national pride than
did ever the stars and stripes Of the
old confederacy. The design is Ger
taialy very happy conception.
! After several short speeches by
Messrs. Tracy, Davis, and ais, the
company made revisw parade in
the square. commanding the admira.
tion of all who observed their manly,
diguifed, and soldier like bearing,
proceeded to the armory,.whsre, af-
ter receiving final orders for depar-
lure on the morrow, disbanded to
TO meet at s p. NJ. and partake Of
a sumptuous supper extended TO
them by Hugh Moore and Mr..
Dickson. formerly Of your county.
Unlike the usual confusion on such
occasions. remarkable good order pre-
vailed. Each was impressed with a
sense of the sacrifice that was about
to be made in the noble cause of
Sooihsrp independence, and felt no
inolinasion towards boisterons hilarity.
Ga Tuesday, Goth, at 10 A. M.
we were formed for departure. An
uuclouded sun rendered the MORN
ing very agreeable, and the streets
were crowded with carriages and
spectators who througed TO witness
the impressive scene of leave-taking.
After a fnal parade, we partook of
/ a dinner at the Venable House. near
the depot, prepared at the expense
OF the generous proprietor, and at a
quarter past one were commanded
TO take the cars. Then followed a
scene from the description of which I
would fain drop my pen, (or rather
my pencil, pen beibg mon come
atibus in cimpum'O Mothers hur-
riedly conferred their parting bless
iogs, and breashed short but earnest
prayers for the restoration of sons,
and between hopeful expression Of
speedy reunion and alternate bursts
of tears at the thought thai separa.
ton was about TO take place forever,
With magnanimity and maternal pride
that would have done credit to Cor.
I.nelia enjoined upon them to achieve
honor and make themselves worthy
the remembrance of their country
men. Sisters with less stoicism
chung jealonsly to the forms Of broth |
ers committed to their country's de-
fence, and reluctantly imprinted
the farewell kiss oSoft eyes" ffhatl