Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-11-28
GuRDON's BRIGADE.

sorts of gatherings besides the exhibi-
tion, a meeting OF Gordons Brigade,
was one of the marked features, which
to that city has peculiar interest, as
this body Of men went from there under
the command of General Lawton, who
picked the troops out of his command
that were to follow him on that cam-
paign of slaughter and death. The
wounds of General Lawton, received ut
Gettysburg, prevented him from fol
lowing the fortunes of his gallant COM
mand that were baptized III the fire OF
battle under his lead at the first terrible
conflict at Cold Harbor, and General
Gordon taking command and serving so
long with the brigade at last 1t came to
be called Gordons Brigade, and thYo
many meany weary march, through
rain and snow, with short rations and
poorly clad, he led them TO fields OF
battle aud to victory. But General
Lawton selected the regiments, and
when General Lee telegraphed him TO
bring six thousand men TO Virginia, he
picked the best tius.er in his roster, and
the history those men wrote wherever
they went showed he had judged them
well.
1t is impossible for any one who has
not shared the hardships and prirailonS
of a soldier to understand how warm
and brotherly they feel towards each
other, and what yeneration and love
they have for their commanders, and
when the remnants of this gallant bri-
cade gathered together at this last
meeting there were emotions that do
honor to the warm hearts that were the
shield of our country for the brief but
terrible period when we struggled Tor a
national existence.
There are several prominent men III
this brigade known all over Georgia,
and loved, too. Governor Smith, an
old colonel OF the brigade, was chairman
OF the meeting; Generals Gordon, Law
ton, Colquitl and Evans were there, the
latter having laid down has sword OF the
church militant and taken up the banner
of the church triumphant, which he car
ries as gallantly as he led his men to
the cannou's mouth OF course with
such such meeting there could be
nothing but enthusiasm, and when Gen
eral Lawton was called on to make the
opening address, the sensation was oi
the most exciting character. Ills posi-
ton was peculiar and somewhat embar-
RAISING, but an eye witness Informs us
that the effect of his words upon his Old
comrades III arms was electric. The
Herald, of Atlanta, says the address was
'simply grand Captain Harry Jack
son also made stirring speech, but the
telling point of the occasion was Great
ed by General Evans, who related the
last incidents connected with the sad
and sudden end Captain +. p. Lawton,
who yielded up his gallant and brave
soul in the bloody contest at freder-
icksburg. The effect OF General Evans
oratory was greatly heightened by a
scene which occurred extemporaneously
in alluding to how he venerated the
memory Of this brave man, who had
sealed lis devotion with his blood; he
said that kind Providence had favored
him with a son but few days after this
said event, and to cherish his memory
aud keep it green around his hearth,
stoue, he had named his boy "Lawton,
and laid his hand on the head of the
lad standing by. The relation OF such
an incident with all the surroundings
occasioned the most pathetic eXhlbl-
tions, and those strong men melted to
tears.
Tho proceedings were prolonged by
dismissing formalities, aud the relation
of jokes and incidents connected with
their campaigns, and at last they sepa.
rated with renewed expressions Of good
feeling and honest soldierly wishes for
the health, happiness and prosperity oi
each other