Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-08-09
The Public Meeting on Monday.

| xensS sSwhioh we have ever witnessed, assembled
In the Court House on Konday last, to hear
from Gen. 8. McGowan and Col. James C.
Calhoun. who had recently returned from Vir-
ginia, narrative Of the glorious achievements
Of our arms on the soil of the Old Dominion.
aud an exposition of the great emergencies of
the present crisis. Several ladies' were present
| TO give additional interest TO the occasion, and
to unite with thousand manly forms in ex.
pressing their unfalterihg devotion to the great
cause-their sympathy with the tolls and pri-
Vations Of The soldier. their appreciation Of his
s"or'fces' and their joyful participation in his
triumphant successes.
On motion of Thomas Thomson, ESQ.,, the
Hon. A. Burt was called to the Chair. A
Committee consisting of Messrs. Thomson,
"idem"n, and Conuor was then appointed by
tho Chair. to wait upon the Speakers and to
signify the desire Of the meeting.
Col. James C. Calhoun, late m Aid to Gov.
ernor Pickens, was first introduced to the meet.
ing, and proceeded to give, in an easy and at
tractive style, very clear and interesting mar.
rative of tho lato campaign in virginia-,he
retreat from Fairfax C. H.. and the various in
cidents Of the succeeding battles of Blackburn's 8
Ford aud Stone Bridge. Being attached to
Col. Bacons Regiment. which Was not actively
engaged in tho last grcnt battle, he would leave
1t to the descriptive powers Of his friend Gen.
McGowan. to do justice to that glorious victory,
and would ccnfine himself to the transa ctious
Of the preceding days. Tho speaker gave a
very graphic sketch Of tho retreat from Fairfax
c II. on Wednesday, tho 18th July, and did
full justice to the order ant regularity, the
coolness and determination with which that
memorable march of 5000 mem was conducted
in the presence Of an overwhelming foe. Tho
pressing columns Of tho advancing enemy
qu:ckened their steps. and as the speaker hu
morously remarke d, our troops without running
managed at least to do some "pretty tall walk-
ing" The day was hot and dusty, aud several
fell on the way side, FROM the effects Of sum
stroke' until travel worn and hungry the South
Carolina troops reached Mitchells Ford, on Bull
Run, where they proceeded to throw up en-
trenchnents and for six hours toiled arduously,
and with that spirit which only the presence of
danger can evoke. The speaker here gave an
interesting sketch of this position, and the M.
ture Of tho country around-the low banks of
the creek, occupied by our troops. and covered
with forest growth-npon the opposite side the
precipitous ground swelling to declivity in
the distance. Upon this hill the enemy sta.
toned himself in force on Wednesday morning.
and opened his cannonade upon US with hissiup
shot and bursting she'll The frst few shot fell
with wonderful accuracy, but afterwards they
went wildly over our position, doing no damage
This was attributed to the fact that the forests
concealed our location from the observation of
the enemy, and thus prevented his obtaining the
proper range for his guns. This attack, how
ever, was = more feint the main attack being
directed against Gen. Longstreets Brigade, at
Blackburns Ford, on the right Of our position,
OF this battle the speaker gave a very interest.
ing sketch-the roar Of the musketry, the
booming of the cannon, tue three successive
charges and repulses Of the enemy-the final
rout and decisive victory. He concluded with
some very forcibls observations upon tho ruth
less character of the invasion, and the untold
horrors which would attend our subjueation,
Gen. MoGowan next addressed the assembly.
and those who are familiar with the leading
characteristics of his orutory. need not be told
that his clear and accurate perceptions, his
ready and rstentive memory, his imagination
and pathos--" the breathing thoughts" and
I" burning words" found full scope in the recital
Of the moving incidents Of the late glorious bat
Ito fields of Virginia. For nearly two hours, the
eloquent speaker held the audience In rapt, engcr
attention, as with graphic skill he presented !
vivid narrative Of the exciting scenes, which ho
had witnessed, or by some stirring outbursts of
feeling evoked applause, or with some welltiu,-
ed anecdote. provoked contagious mirth His
friend, Col. Calhoun aud himself were both, he |
laid. attached to the army of Gen. Beauregard, |
aud under tho instructions of.that Commander. |
he would not be able to enIighten tho audience |
40 to the number and position of our troops in |
Virginia, past ndncretions Of this kind had been
disastrous to us-but az It was not probable |
that the Same scenes would be rs-enacted at Bull
Run, there could be no impolicy in naraang |
tho various incidents Of It's exciting battles. By
way OF introduction, tho speaker set forth the
false principles. snd unwsrrantable assumptions,
with which this war had been undertakes by |
Lincoln aud his Cabjnet-to Wit, that thus was q |
consolidated Government, and that Secession |
vas tantamount to Rsbellion-sgain that public
was divided at tho South. A wsr of
'ubjuEation was waked against "a, the soil Of
Virginia invaded, aud 10 narrats some Of the in
cidonts Of the great battles, ' hich we're there
fought id defence OF Constitutional liberty, and
The rights Of fyssinen, he was nov present..
Tho Speaker presented Striking view of the
dangers which attended tho reirest OF our army,
from Fsirfsx G. H.-s flank movemsnt 10 tho
prescnc" of an over.poweriug enemy, according
10 Napoleon, an inpossibiliy befoss On enterpris.
ing foo. Beauregard saw the tho dangers 10
which the rstfeating celpous .sre exposed, aud
by the discharge of reeksiss hastsnsdt ths moys-
nents Of the troops. Whom that Gsneral was
asked Why hshsd sssfgasd.so The carolnians,
he unpleasant duty Of retreating before a 50
psrips fos-his reply WIS tiist Il was the highest
hs eouit psy to Hsseir disciplined
va1oy HitfAv nil Al II ,ssa .Zthxf-3vt1' L