Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1866-10-13
LETTER FROM GEN BRATToN
To McS Soldiers Mceting at JKaMalla.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Sept. II, 1866.

COLUMBIA, S. c., Sept II, 1866.
Mr., r.; LEWIS, Pcndlcton S. G.:
MY Dtor LEul: Your letter inviting nc
to attend meeting of Soldiers ut Walhslla,
ON tho 22d ,prox., is received.
1t is with much regret that find myself
compelled to forcgo tho qualification Of meet
ing, face to face, with so many Of my old com.
radcs, and dcbarrcd tho privilege OF participa.
ting with them in the noble work which, if |
have conceived it Alright, it is tho object OF
this meeting to achieve,
have been for nearly two years. under the
dictates Of necessity and the advice and coun.
sci of tho politicians, accepting the situ,tou
and realizing the changes made in the old
thing which was so dear to us under the name
of "our country" The sad and agonizina
path travcrsed by the mind in tracing OIL
these changes, leads to dark and gloomy con
oidsionsiaEswhch it is almost impossible t.
liscerl ETC old thing for Which We fought
Ii Is vain to look to our State, ut present, ~.
acovcring shield to our manned aud mnt;I,
ted comrades. or to the orphans of our dea,
heroes. 1t is, as it were, held in state q
| suspension by the yictors in the late struggle
who seem to find some difficulty in agreeing
among themselves on the position to bc as
signed us or the terms to be allowed US. |
is qucstion of great moment, involving, il
my Judgment, the fate Of constitutional libcr
ty on this continent; but one, in the decision
| 0F ~ inl tcp f.,E Eo
our fight, have bucn overcome, and have sub
mittcd toI#p unconditional surrender. I'll,
question is properly in the hands of the con
querors, and there let it rest until they sec Il
TO decide it
The As'ssft*ft and restless anxiety wbi.l
has led some to make an effort TO pnrticipatc
with view to turning it to advantage, j,
the contest which is to decide this question
letracts ip MY Judgment, from the merits o
our case, aocs injustice to the n.nlincss of ON
people, an} materially increases the cnbarrnss
mcnts of bur condition. We arc really oul,
passengers on board, and have nothing to d,
with tho management of the ship Should
her coursd be turned towards the old channels
our powcR and duties as State and people
will be rdIuircd to take their place and per
form thciTpart in working her Into safe ha
ven, and il that event, we arc prepared to d,
our full dtty.' If, however, the present drec
rtion be Persisted in, the breakers arc ahcaC
and the wreck inevitable With this result
Mi Mi enSi, rs to cons,rn.t n,l w. -,
on which to reach the sho.,
While the powers Of the Sta,c ,ro .r,. :,
operative and she is unable to do li.t FIJI, J,',
to her sons, it is the glorious privilege Of h.,
true people, IN whose hearts she is cnshrin,, ),
to combine their efforts aud use every mean
IN their power to make good the obligation f
preserve from oblivion and suffering tic mem
ories and families Of her heroic dead
1T had been in my thought for some tim
past to organize, if possible, Brigade Asso
cation for the benefit of the helpless OF on
Brigade; and il other .Brigadcs wonld do tn
same, central association of the whole mirb
ilnasly be consnmmatcd, which would be
common receptacle for cherished memories II
wei MS comWon centre from which CHART
could be efficiently and largely dispensed. :.
Our Brigade is so widely scattered over tn
state that it will be inprac:icable to organiz
III time to meet the necessities of tho prescn
emergency, which requires immediate action
such as can be taken by ncighborhoods. Yo,
IN your section are entitled to the thanks O
the State for leading off in this direction, an,
| trust that your example will be general,
followed
And now. my dear Lieutenant, accent m,
thanks for the warmth of kindness that char
acter'zcd your letter. 1t tstirrcd feelings of NJ
common qualification, and awakened sad bu
glorious recollcctions of my noble comrade.
who arc and ever will be identified and asso
clated in my heart with that sacred and l,al
lowed Nance" our country"
am, most truly, yours.
..4...s.. 81. j, :s.y, sJNO. BRATTON.
8sS" The Anderson Intclligenccr SAYS: W.
have only space to mention that tho 0ctohe,
term OF the above Court began on AIonJa,
last, Hon. r. Munro presiding Judge. M.
Solicitor and Grand Jury have been kent bus,
| IN rectlfYinr ahuscs nf Tho Low al '