The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-10-18
SOLDIERS REUNION ATHARTWRLL.
Experiences. Adventures and Pleasures
OF the Anderson Visltors.~The Reuns
lou Grand Success.


Mr.. EDITOR: The Anderson Cornet
Band left Anderson at 4I o'clock on the
evening of October /, having previously
been invited by John II. McGill, editor
of the Hartwell (Ga.) San, aud others,
VITO constituted u committee of arrange
ments for the reunion Of the soldiers of
Hart County, Georgia, to be held at
Hartwell on Tuesday, October 9.
We took the upper road, by Roberts
Chu'ch, leading to Browns Ferry. The
Band played a few tunes ON leaving
home, and, out of compliment, one tune
was played while passing the residence
of Mr.. ]. G. Keys. Night came on us
when we were eight miles out from homo,
with sixteen more to drive before reach
ing Hartwell. After dark the boys com.
menced singing comic songs, snndwiched
sayings, and all seemed to go merrily on
The store Of A. nj. Holland was reached
at O'clock. We stopped here to await
the arrival Of member. Playing tune
or two brought out Mr.. Holland, who
wanted to know what it all meant--if
another "war, or what else?" He was
informed of the purpose of the party, and
soon opened his store and treated each to
fine cigars. Everything now ready we
started for the Ferrr, not far distant, but
not without some cs utious remarks from
Mr. Holland about icing found in the
Savannah next morning among the cat
fish. We had scarcely gone quarter Of
q mile when we struck the right fore
wheel Of the wagon against stump,
breaking off the end of single tree with
loud crash, severely jolting the whole
crowd. One member left the wagon on
the instant, and with considerable activi-
ty landed some ten feet from his seat,
exclaiming just as he struck the ground.
'iHdr! - it was easy to see that this man
thought there had been an awful smash
up. Two or three of the boys seeing his
excited condition succeeded in quieting
him down, while the rest soon had the
wagon ready to move forward. Further
on u buggy came near capsizing from
running against stump, one of the &C.
cupants escaping with some damage -
one of his legs. A lantern carried in
front of the team from this point to the
Ferry disclosed an exceedingly rough
road. AT the Ferry all hands dismoun-
ted from their seats, and commenced sug-
gesting AMI prospecting rs to the best
mode of getting the wagon and team
into the fat. An incident or two hap
pened at this point which afterwards
created great fun in the crowd. The
bass drummer coming alongside the
wagon, suddenly the earth appeared to
open and receive him into some un-
known cavern. In 10 time he was lost
&c v;ow. Nothing WIS heard, now, save
the sound of falling turf and the splash
ing "i discovered waters below. How
ever, he soon extricated himsclf, and was
again on terra frmd. But n minute or
two elapsed until here c,me "Duke BILL"
Ia name, by the way, the boys gave him,
whether OH account of his similarity to a
Duke, we know not.) He, looking up at
the driver on the seat above, with n
graceful gesture of the hand, exclaimed,
"Pll tell you what to do with those
mules" when, to the utter consternation
of the driver, he, too, was swallowed up
in that hungry chasm. He passed from
view, following, "Help! help! Take
my horni" and with such a look of de-
Epair those who witnessed It never wish
again to see, But he soon struck bottom,
and the rattling Of that great brass horn,
the noise of the waters below, told what
struggle was going on down there He
was assisted in getting out, carried and
placed in q buggy, swearing his !eg was
broken or disl0cated, though afterwards
it proved to be most fallacious idea.
After this we crossed the Eiyer, nothing
worth relating happening. Over we
started again, all hoping for better luck
with the roads in Georgia. And as no
accident occurred, drive of an hour or
two brought us into the town Of Hart
we'll. We drove up to Mr.. Bobo's hotel,
aligtted aud the Band played in time a
tiiSs1nsoiute and bewiidored looking in.
dividuai or two came out; some later the
proprietor, who ordered the team put up,
and invited US in. We were now given
to understand that we would be made
comfortable. AT - o'clock a. IN. supper
was announced. we walked into the
dining room, and an ample collation. of
good, warm victuals lay spread before LID
on the table, presided over by Mr.. and
Mrs. Bobo, who also had corps of polite
servants on hand. Supper being over q
caucus was held, and decided to serenade
some of the prominent men of Hartweil
aroused by tne dulcet notes of the Cornet
Band. Ho came out and after social
congratulations joined the crowd, and
made for the house of John b. Benson
Esq; again plenty of music, but no one
! came out. Next one visited was Mai
| Shelton more music, but it failed to in.
| duce any signs of iife within. We now
| returned to the hotel, and were shown te
our rooms. Before we went off into the
arms of Morpheus, John Ii. McGill
editor OF that plucky little sheet, the
Hartwell Sum- called in and exchanged
friendly greetings.
Wnen morning came, many of the
boys took stroll around town to see the
place. They found Hartwell pleasan
little town of some two or three Hundred
inhabitants, situated in the midst of
| gently undulating country, with soil O
a sandy loan, timber for the most par
dwarf oak, intersperced with large pines
The town boasts of neat new COur
House, and substantial Jail, both o
brick, dry goods, grocery and drug hous
=, 90. oAoo.sSis .io;ei, ono noWopupcr
ably managed by John III. McGill, ant
blacksmith, wagon, harness and sho
shops. Outside the square one sees mum
bers of fine private dwellings, built will
architectural taste and surrounded will
all the latest conveniences. aa4
We now return to the hotel to find OH
host with an ample breakfast in waiting
Breakfast over, the boys gather up thei
instruments and assemble in front th
hotel. MANY of the c;t:sesss arc no7
gathered around The boys becoming
excited, and anxious to create some en-
thusiasm, (having met with such ba
yo, fha vtte,he hafova 1 il,I !, IL .,,e,