The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1865-08-03
: =. For tie Luteiigeacer.
BARBECUE TO THE PALMETTO p RIFLE

Mr.. Crawford Keys, of Anderson District,
be regarded with lasting emotions ofgrat-
itude. To him belongs the credit of first
striving to dissipate the clouds of gloom
and dependency which had settled down
upon the people Of this community, and
oftcndsring tho first tribute of welcome to
some of our brave citizens, since their re-
turn from the wars! True, its end has
been most unfavorable to our arms, most
chilling to our hopes, and most CALLING to
our pride, after all VIC had dared and en-
durcd; but brave Southern men have the
consciousness OF knowing they acted well
their parts in the struggle, and deserve
as much honor and gratitudc'as if they
came crowned with laurcls of victory, to
the sound of martial music: with banners
floating and shouts of triumph! Under
such circumstances there would of course
have been moro joy in the hearts of their
countrymcn to prompt ovations; but
thcir,manly courage and endurance must
be rewarded nevertheless, though all has
seemed in vain We must learn to bear
our calamjties with chcerful resignation,
knowing we were overpowercd by supe-
rior numbers and appliances of warfare,
and thata ovcrruling Providence, which
dccrccd this great revolution in society,
may cause us yet to sec that all has end
ed for the best
.sLet lis live with the hope ofa bott2r day coming
ThougI dark be our dreams for awhile,
For there's joy in tic though, Of brighter day
dawning,
TLcn welcome our fate with a smlol'
|. ButI am to describe the first ovation
given to our soldier, in this immediate
section of the country AS it was the
generous design OF but one individual, of
course the invitations were moro limited
than may yet be in future celebrations of
the kind.
The Palmetto RiGemcn was the first
Company organized in our village and
vicinity, and included most of the flower
Of our chivalry. They were among The
first to march to the rcscac of Virginia
and the last to leave her bloody fields Of
victories and defeats unnum5ercd; but
their proud career will be given in full
detail by the chosen orator of the occa-
SIGN in another column. Yet they must
eyer remember, that every record bore
its deepest impress upon the hearts of
loved ones at home how in each battle
the list of killed and wounded thrilled the
anxious ones; and lrow fair fingers toilcd
to supply their wants, and how many
prayers were offered for their welfare.
And now they have returncd-bat scat
tered remnant, t,-onc-half at least of the
original Company buried in their last,
long sleep, to respond never more to earth
ly greetings! They may have Inherited a
fair more glorious reward, and await their
comrades and friends in fur happier scenes
of peace and Joy than earth can ever ai-
ford. Let this urge us on TO now hopes
and new duties in the lifn to come.
On tina. bright summer morn the Pal
motto boys: with their families and
friends. throngcd together at the hospita-
bic mansion of Mr.; Keys, two miles from
town, and assembled meath the pleasant
shade of poplar and maple trees. and by
The bright waters of his bold, beautiful
spring, to enjoy the social Reunion, the
words of cloquencc and beautiful repastin-
cidcnt to the occasion. The burning sun of
July, which had seemed to withcr all veg
citation and animal life for weeks past.
was forgotten, and the pleasant breeze
and rising clouds promised greater enjoy
mcnt.
There was no longer martial array Of
armed men in suits of grey, but sober cit
izcns, clad in cmblems of domestic indus
try and economy, and with serene, peace
ful brows, as though they had never worn
the'scowl of death-dealing warriors, nor
suffered almost as martyrs in their coun-
try's cause Thank Heaven. that all this
is over, a9d we may rejoice in peace and
security once more, however different
from our anticipations.
The old and young were there, united
in Il happy band, prepared to sympathize
and rejoice together in all things. 1t
seemed, at frst,' there was a feeling Of
timid reserve among the soldiers, who
hesitated in attempts at gallantry, having
been so long removed from more refined
society; and indeed the ladies, who had
struggled so long for their comfort and