Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-08-22
LOST CAUSE"
Grand Reunion of the Soldiers and
Friends Ofthe Late COnfederacy.
The Most Brilliant and Successful
Occasion ever known in Memphis.
Beautiful, Touching and Appropriate
Grafton by Col. W. T. Heiskell.
Etc., Etc,
II

The week closed upon the most
brilliant, the most select and the most
Joyous gathering of people ever as
sembled in Tennessee. The occasion
was the picnic of the Confederate Re
lief and Historical Society, of which
| ex-GoV. Harris is President. James
Park, the place selected by this grand
| fete-champetre, is the well-arranged
grounds, belonging to Mr.. James, is
situated from Court Square about two
miles and a half. The arrangements
for reaching the grounds were admira-
bic. Trains ran every fifteen minutes
on the Memphis and Charleston Rail
road, the street n made trips at
irregular intervals, and always loaded
down; and stages, hacks and
private cOnveyances were in requisi-
ton throughout the day. Those pres
ent represented every walk of life and
all the various branches of the late
Confederate armies. Generals and
Colonies hObnObbed with line officers
and privates, all ~recOllectiOns of rank
were lost, all restraints removed, and
like gallant soldiers they went in for
enjoyment, reviving in many a well
worded toast their struggles, endu-
rance, bravery and victories. From
Belmont to the field of surrender was
reviewed and all the battles rehearsed;
the dead, whose widows and orphans
are the peculiar care of the Society,
were remembered and many a regret
expressed that the poor fellows
who await the reveille of the
resurrection could not partici-
pate in an occasion rem
dered all the more joyous that the re-
cent great revolution in our State had
liberated Us from political bondage.
The ~firstfeStive occasion since the war,
when the eX-COnfederateS and their
friends could meet to enjoy them
selves, it was availed of as we have
stated, by all classes. All distinctions
growing out of wealth or position was
lost sight of, and as one people, having
one common object, moved by one
spirit and united by a common bond,
they tripped through the mazes of the
dance, or, sitting under the shade of
the forest trees, listened to tales of
battles lost and won, of hardshipS en-
dured, the stories generally closing
with expressions of the hope that in
spires every heart to-day in Tennes-
see.
No MORE BEAUTIFUL DAY
could have selected for the occasion.
The heat was tempered by refreshing
b~reezes, and with the aid of COpious
libatiOns of cooling fluids the immense
throng preserved a very healthy tenn
perature throughout the day.
THE MUSIC
was furnished by the Old Memphis
Brass Band. and was of excellent
quality, as will be readily attested by
the thousands who moved to its in
spring influence.
CHARLEY NORRIS EAGLE BIRD"
was the point of attraction for all eyes
as the band made their procession
through the principal streets before
leaving for the Park. The annexed
correspondence will give the history
of the " proud bird of freedom"
PACIFIC PLACE, ARK,
August 20, 1869.
Messrs. English, Durff and Mathes:
Gentlemen: l cOnsign to your care,
through the courtesy of Capt. John H.
Malin, of the steamer City of Cairo,
ga Southern eagle" from the wild
woods of our iamented Pat Cleburne,
which L trust may contribute to the
attractions of your picnic, as well as
furnishing a relief TO your patriotic
association.
The old bird was with you in "'76"
and "ISl2," and his last war shrek
was heard in the victory Of our South
or, arm, OF Tarro Epr1o and p,npo
Vista. The Subjugated eagle comes
to a subjugated peOple-his South is
your SOuth-tO share your fate and
bear your oppression.
Though emaciated by a prison
life " his eye is still bright, his heart
uncOnquered. His piniOns may be
weak, though no feather is lost. His
gray head is bleached by sorrow and
national calamity, yet he is proud of
his white, for it is typical of the bar of
his conquered banner
His Strange" nest was formed
with our own Forrest limbs, and PIT
l0ac-ed with cypress bark, built under
his own supervision, without the aid
of "Surry." Wethink it Z" Hriqht,'
and could wish him, as we wish you,
"Happy as the big suu-ffower."
Knowing his element, and his O-p6l-
ion to q fright up yOnder," we have
bound him to his perch, manacled to
a spike from the Ram Arkansaw."
Permit me to suggest that our city
fathers receive the bird at your con-
Venience, with the rank of Picket
Guard in your beautiful Court Square,
to watch the statue of Old Hickory,
for II 90 must hn V,~a1nrxvO1 -
Yours truly, "SO-called and called
so, CHARLES NORRIS.
The bird was forwarded from Pa
cifc Place by the City of Cairo to the
gentlemen named in the address at
the head of the letter. II was cap
tured at Able Point, near Charley's
place, in the following manner: A
party of hunters were on the river
bank, when the eagle made a plunge
into the water in pursuit of a fish, but
was entangled in some brush over
hanging the bank, when a fisherman
threw over il a dip net, aud thus Sc
cured il without injuring it. He
measures six feet from tip to tip.
AS EARLY AS TEN O'CLOCK,
the advance guard of visitors began
to pour into the Park. As the morn
ing wore on to noon the crowd in
creased, and knots of three, four, five
and six persons-ladies and their es-
1Orts, family parties, and single indi-
viduals, were strOlling over the
grounds i'm every direction, or loung-
ing under the cool shade, listening to
the music, or engaged in pleasant chit
chat.
THE ARRANGEMENTOF THE PARK
was admirable in every particular.
The seats, the music-Stand, the dan
ing ring, the refreshment stands, all
showed that taste and industry had
been called into requisitiOn by the
gentlemen to whom had been entrust-
ed the rehabilitation of the grounds.
DINING ANDDANcING
occupied the time from u till Al
o'clock, and never did so vast an as
semblage so thoroughly enjoy itself
L~unch-baskets and long-necked bot
les were everywhere visible. and
hose who were not engaged i'm the
game of knife-and-fork, sought pleas
IRE in some one of the many sets of
iancers.
GEN. PATTON ANDERSON
appeared on the musie-stand about 4