Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-11-19
GORDON'S BRIGADE.

During the fair week at Atlanta, which was
made the occasion of all sorts Of gatherings be-
sides the exhibition, meeting of Gordon S
Brigade was one of the marked features, which
to that city has peculiar In nterest, as this body
of men went from there under the command OF
General Lawton, who picked the troops out OF
his command that we're to follow him on that
campaign cf slaughter and death. The wounds
of General Lawton, received at Gettysburg,
prevented him from following the fortunes Of
his gallant command that were baptized 10 the
fire of battle under bis lead at the first terrible
conflict at Cold Harbor, and General Gordon
taking command ard serving so long with the
brigade it at last came to be called G0rdons
Brigade, and through many weary march,
through rain and snow, with short rations and
poorly clad, be led them to fields ef battle and
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 timber IN his roster, and the
history those men wrote wherever they went
showed he had judged .hem we'll.
1t is impossible for any Que who has not
shared the hardships and privatious of a sol
dier to understand how warm and brotherly
they feel towards each other, and what vencr-
alton and love they have for their commanders,
and when the remnants Of this gallant brigade
assembled 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
Il national existence.
There are several prominent men 10 this br
gade known all over Georgia. aud loved, too
Governor Smith, an old colonel 10 the brigade,
was chairman of the meeting; Generals Cor
don, Lawtou, Co!quitt and Evans were there,
the latter having laid down his sword of the
church militant and taken up the banner OF
the church triumphant, which he carries as
gallanty as he led his men to the cannon $
mouth. OF course with such meeting there
could be nothing but enthusiasm, and when
General Lawton was called on to make the
opening address, the sensation was OF the most
exciting character His position was peculiar
and somewhat embarrassing, but an eye wit.
ness informs US that the effect of his words
upon his old comrades 10 arms was electric.
The Herald, OF Atlanta, says the address was
simply grand" Captain Harry Jackson also
made stirring speech, but the telling polut OF
the occasion was created by General Evans,
who related the last incidents connected with
the sad and sudden end of Captain h. I. Law,
ton, who yielded up his gallant and brave soul
in the bloody contest at Fredericksburg. The
effect of General Evans oratory was greatly
q
poraneously in alludiug to how he veDerated
the memory of this brave man, who had sealed
his devotion with his blood; he said that
kind Providence had favored him with son
but few DAYS after this sad event, aod to
cherish his memory and keep it green around
his hearthstone, he had named his boy Law
ton, and laid his hand on the head OF the lad
standing by The relation OF such an incident
with ali the surroundings occasioned the most
pathetic exhibitions, aud those strong men
melted to tears.
The proceedings were prolonged by dismiss:
ing formalities and the relation of jokes and
incidents connected with their campaigns, and
at last they separated with renewed express
sions of good feeling and honest soldlery wish, !.
es tor the health, happiness and prosperity OF
each other.
Many of our citizens will remember that the
body Of Capt. Lawton, mentioned above, was
brought to this city where it was embalmed,
and then sent to Fredericksburg where it was
escorted through the lines with appropriate
military honors. While the Federal authori
ties here, at that time, prohibited 40 exhibition
of Rebel sympathy large concourse of our
citizens showed their respect to the departed
ueTO Dy forming pTOCcSSlou duu CSoultluS Iuo
reuains to the steamer.
DEATH BY ACCIDENTAL SHooTING.-Mon-
day morning Mr.. p P cambridge. a promis-
Ing young lawyer of Martinsburg.. West Flr-
glnla was found dead on road about two
miles from that village He had been 10 the
habit of spending Saturday evening and Sun
day at his fathers residence, six miles from
Martinsburg. Itwas his custom to wal thlther
aud back and to carry fowling piece with
him. 1t is supposed that in getting over a
fence his foot slipped and the gun was accl-
dentay discharged. The whole charge pene-
trated his side, above the left hip, piercing
the vitals and causing Instant death. When
the body was found the clothing was on FIRE,
ktndled by the explosion of the powder, and
The remains were considerably charred. -