The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-03-20

While prisoner ut Lookout, and I've
found 1t about the most useful thing
given me in the trip--so convenient TO
drink from the springs by the way.
February $40 Hickory, Miss, and
entertained here by Mr.. A. Gray, n
MAJ istratc. Here, on account of storms
! remained two day. On the second
night large number of old Confcdcr-
ate soldiers came in, some of them,
from forty-hve (45) miles away, bring
ing their old army fiddles, and gave
me a serenadc, and shook me by the
hand. The crowds came in from both
sides Of the village, and said there
wasn't man, women or child for miles
back in the country that hadn't heard
Of Sergeant Bates carrying the flag.
February left Hickory and arriv-
Cd ut Meridian, Miss, just on the Ala
bama line. Was met here by Mayor
Henderson, eX-captain {. 5. a., and
ten !cred the hospitaities of the city
and found rooms provided for me at the
h0i |.
J brudyy Cleft Meridian, and en-
tel i the State Of Alabama, with colors
flying, at =. NJ. Was met here by Il
large number of citizens, and taken for
the night to the residence of Mr.. a
Il. Clay, large landowner, living near
a little place called Cuba.
FejrUpy ARRIVED at Coatopah, Il
village, and met, rs usual, by turn
out of citizens.
Fe5ruo,y s-Arrived at McDonnell's
Bridge, and found Il deputation from
the citizens of Demopolis, Ala, await
ing my arrival. Was taken to the house
of Major Pierce, exc. S., during my
Stay. Here stayed over Sunday, 9th.
FeJruoiY 9-Immense number ofpeo-
pie came to see me.
FcJruary 1O-Left, and arrived at
Uniontown, Alabama; whole town out
to welcome me; was the guest here OF
Mr.. j NJ. Hudson, former Confcdor-
ate soldier.
February 1-Arrived atSelma, Ala,
at p. m, and was met bya deputation
from the citizens,of six gentlemen, and
Confederate officers; wa, taken tc
| the chief hotel and welcomed by one oi
| the committee in the name of the citi-
Zcns.
February l2-Stopped over in Selma
to-day, and at night there was a big
meeting; eX-GovernOr Moore and cX
Governor Parsons made speeches. ThC
hall was jammed, and Il great many OF
the first ladies Of the city were present
Laundering applause greeted me wheI
] came in with the flag. ! thought th'
floor would come through.
FJbrUury l3-Anothcr meeting wa
held TO. day ond, with great cheering,
resolution was adopted about the flag
This is the resolution referred to:
ResO'red, "That we heartily approx
of each and every principle embodied
in the Constitution of the United State
and that we regard the flag Of the Uni
on as the sign and symbol of thos
principles, and we solemnly pledg
ourselves, to support the one and up
hold and defend the Others
EeJruo,Y lI-Left Selma and arrived
ut Benton, Ala. There was big crow
mere, and was met and welcomed b.
DR.. Williams Of that place, in speech
the citizens giving "thrce cheers for tn
flag" y very nice dinner was prepare
for mo here, and after dinner Il spcciu
new canoe was ready to carry me to tn
other side of the swamp. arrived a
night ut the White Hal plantation nca
Montgomery, and received very war;
welcome,
Ttbrudry l5-Rcached Montgomery
once the capitalof the cOnfedCracy, wit
the flag, unframed, and was met out
side of the city by II number Of citizen
und many of the infantry and caValr
stationed here, with whom stayed VI
til Monday morning, 18th, when tn
citizens reception took place. Nv
: never had any interruption offered m
and have been most kindly treated cN
; crywhcre along the route.
With this ceased the sergeant, an
shortly after took his leave, For h
personnel, Sergeant Bates i, thirty yea
; old, five feet nine. solidiy built has
: sOldier-ikc air, and steady plcasal
face, with the square, firm, determine
Jaw that marks the American rs Il ma
superemincntly fit to do and dar
When travelling, our walkist wears
q suit of black velvet, jacket and pan
made tor him at NickShurg, blaC
velvet cap on Che navy style, large, c
sy walking boots up to the knee, and
, belt, girdlc, and socket for the flag sta
: ThiS staff, made Of cotton wood is vel
I light for it, size and length, and to II
! fastened the flag fashioned out of We
s. handsome, stout silk and and surmou
= ted by two heavy silver ta~scls-all
, present from the citizens o! Nicksbur
Here al Montgomery, the quonda
capital Of the late SO-called, the Sorgca
met with very enthusiastic reccptio
and departed yesterday morning, aft
, five days of speychitying and prc.eI
making. Quarters were assigned hi
:. at one Of the hotels. and Il formal rccC
u tlul SlNNH NM va -hpANdS hi'' III
c last-braso band, open carriages, mi
shals on horseback, and 40 on-succoC
c cd by a banquet; which banquet "
: in the first place, good, and in the -
C ond place largely contributed to by
! skill of a gentleman Of color, late a dc
| gate in the Alabama Black Crook, WI
n since the deceasc Of the "con-titutiO
has turned his attention from COVE
le ment to grills and gUmJO, Long NJ
Is he wave in this latter department
te reconstruction
y Wednesday the Sergeant asccnded
+ the dome Of the capitol, and, over
II halls where the Alabama ordinance
H. secession was adopted and the fl ST G.
- ftdcratC Congress met, waved the {