The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1866-10-24
Letter from Con. Bratton.
TO THE SOLDIERS MEETING AT WAL.
HA1.LA.


COLUMBIA, S. c., Sept. II, 1866.
Mr.. r. LEWIS, Pcndcton >. c.;
My Dear Lieut.. Your letter invis.
ing me TO attend a meeting Of Soldiers
at Walhalla, on Tie 22d prox., is re-
ceived.
1t ls witt much regret that find my.
self compelled to forego the qualification
OF meeting, face to face, with so many
of my old comrades, and dcbarred the
privilege OF participating with them in
the noble work which, il | have concciv-
ed it right it is tho object Of this meet
ing to achieve.
! have been for nearly two years,
nndtr the dictates'of necessity and the
advice and counsel "f the politicians,
accepting the s,tuation and realizing the
changes made in the old thing which
was so dear TO us under the name OF
"our country" The sad and aconizng
path traverscd by The mind in tracing
ont these changes, leads to dark and
gloomy conclusions IN which it is almost
inpossibl" to discern the old thing for
which VT: fought. 1t is vain to look to
our State, at present, as n covering
shield to our manned and mu!ilated com.
rades5 OF to the orphans of our dead
heroes. 1t is, rs it were, held in n state
OF suspension by the victors in the late
struggle, who seem to find some diff.
Guilty in agreeing among themselves ON
the position to be assigned us or the
terms to be allowed us. IT, is question
Of great moment, involving. in my judg.
menk the fate OF constitutional liberty
on THIS. continent; but one, In tile deci-
sion Of which We can take no part. We
have made our fight, have been over.
come, and have submitted to an uncon.,
ditional surrender. The question IA PRO
porly IN the hands 0! the conqncrors,
and there let it rest until they see fit to
decide it. @
While the powers of the State are
thus imperative and she is unable to do
her full duty to her sons, it is the glorious
privilege of her true people, in whose
hearts she'is enshrined, to combine their
efforts and use every means in their
power to make good the obligation to
preserve from oblivion and suffering the
memories and families Of her horoic
dead.
1t had been in my thought for some
time past to organize, if possible, a
Brigade. Association for the benefit
the Helpless OF our Brigade and if other
Brigades would do the same, central
association of the whole might finally DO
consummatcd, which would be common
receptacle for cherished memories as
well as common centre from which
charity could be efficiently and largely,
dispensed. Our Brigadeis so widely
scattered over the State that it will bic
impracticable to organize in time to
meet the necessities Of the present .elner.
gency, which requires immediate action,
such as can be taken by neighborhoolls.
You in your section are entitled to the
thanks Of the State for leading of in this
direction, and | trust that your example
will be generally followed.
And now, my dear. Lieutenant. ac-
cept my thanks for the warmth of kind.
ness that characterized your letter. It
stirred feelings Of no common gratifica-
ton, and awakened sad but glorious
recollections Of my noble comrades who
arc and ever will be identified and asso.
ciated in my heart with thai sacred and
hallowed name--'our country"
am, most truly, yours,
JNo. BRATroN.