Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-07-30
TIE Potomac Rife Reunion.

We last week briefly allueded to the re-un-
ion Of the surviving members Of he 'Potmac
Rifles" on Saturday the 10th at Morgan Spring,
near Shepherdstown.
Willie at the Spring business meeting Of
the Rifles was held by calling C.pt. Lewis
Lucas to the Chair and appointiu: Wm. G.
Butler, Esq, Secretary, and the following
Resolutions adopted -
Rsso're9, That the members of his com
pauy meet annually, hereafter, al Norgau's
Spring, as social gathering aud reunion, and
that the first Saturday in September 1871, be
tieuext meeting.
Rssolred, That the thanks of the Company
De aul are hereby rendered to Col VIM. \.
Morgan for the use Of his grounds and
SpriuE
Reso'r TI1ta c,mmittee Of three persons.
CONSISTING Nn c. Butler. VIM. r -htstine
aa. H'.r. 8u,myer be appointed TO request
c.I., the address Of Judge Tn. Van
Sw -.r for publication.
y That the County papers bevlues-
tel HlHhD.h the proceedings Of the meet
ing.
TIE Glowing is the reply Of judy. Van
Swmi-ea 20 the request Of the committee
asking fora .py Of his address for pa5lica-
ton: -
Shapherls.own, July 10Th, lS7O-To N.ssrs,
Butler, Rishtstine and BHlmycr, Com
uittee:
From the few notes used on the occasion,
viii erdeavor to write out the substans Of
the address delivered at the late celebration.
Respectfully,
THos. VAN SwEARGSGEy
The following is the address Of Judge Van
Sweariocen, which is applicable aud pertinent
70 the occasion. and which was received With
three hearty cheers:
We have assembled to day, my friends. 90
celebrate tue reunion Of the surviving mem
beers Of a military organization which WIS
known among rs. In days gone by rs the P.-
t,wg. Rifles That organization WIS clie 70
ted iu the wear 1893. and continued for many
years iu Furnishing condition. and in uuSur-
passed discipline under the leadership of IL,
accomplished Captain, John Franci. Ham
,r.mDk,
That Organization was the pride Of its otli-
GERS. jt> members, aud Of the entire commun.-
,y during the whole period Of is cNiStc c
and nor after the lapse of many years, when
many Of IFS members have passed TO that
uHue from which no Traveller returns. R0U
when many Oft, member, have lett MS. aud cast
their lots iu other places, we its surviving
members. ju conjunction with many Of our
tc..Jw-,itzens. lave this day convened tyr the
cummcujAblt purpose o. commemorate It's tx
,stcuce. and ot Ccmcutiug that unity of feel
ing and fraternity which ut all times peryalcI
the organization.
II would re il,e and purpo>c'css 20 dytain
you longer, than 10 state briefly the objects
Er which wc hlye convened. aud TO close with
the recommendation Oh make this occasion a
profitable one by diScarug from our minds
every feeling which will hinder q closer union
among as. and the Cemeutiug rail- time {
come. that communion and .Iatcraity which
.svc ieeu So SADLY disrupted ly tie occurrence
ut events tp which f. wJU.d not he pleasant
gr profitable o. recur.
atthis De- Tire occasion. when the events of
tle t-W past years shall De consigned TO ol'i-
Won. 1.t 81, personal and political discussion,
aeH..f,rttyi at the la.lowrd Shrine ut irieuJ-
.y guj lU,praal feeling. and let us be brothers
DID, feeling. J.iju action. rs wc were la tl->.
al..y.u days. WA.,h wc an remember with
pride aud jy.
Aud 'rtss not separate on t,.s occa>i. n,
except with tieiucv cr>lt.rdctcruuatjou % b,
.ue.ds u tac future. not only iu name bat ia
fact and reality. casting tie mantle of ubil-