Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-08-06
SOLDIERS REUNION.
The Survivors of the second MIssis-
siDpl Infantry Confederate Meet
at Ripley, and Hear AN Ora
ufOn from
Their Old Colonel, Governor stone
Notable Public Men Present-The
Ladies, Sod bless 'em. Pro-
vide the Creature
Comforts.

RIPLEY, Miss, August 2.-There was a
grand reunion here yesterday of the second
Mississippi infantry. Governor Stone, the
old colonel of the regiment, was the orator of
the day. He delivered one of the most touch
ingly eloquent tributes to the glorious dead
of this veteran regiment and its gallant sur
vivUrs that ever listened to. Governor Stones
great speech on TINS occasion stamped him as
an orator of the first magnitude. He assured
his surviving companlons-ln- arms that he
would ever cherish a grateful remembrance
of their fidelity and devotion to himself and
the common cause for which they commended,
and that while they accepted, In good faith,
the legitimate results of the war, they re-
membered with pride and satisfaction that
the principles for which they contended had
not gone out behind thunder clouds of disap-
appointment without one supreme effort hav-
ing been made to render their country's fall
illustrious; that his country was dearer to
him in the hour of her humiliation than she
was in her pride and power; that her brave,
disabled soldiers, which were so many me-
mentoes of her chivalry and patriotism, were
but so many deathless chains of memory
which bound him to her In her great desola-
ton; that the immortal Confederate comman-
ders-Lee, Jackson, and the Johnston 's-had
taken their places side by side with the great
captains of history, and would be remem-
bered with Marlborough and SAKE, with Tully
and Eugene; that the same same spirit of
patriotic fidelity with which they had served
the Confederacy must now characterize their
renewed allegiance to the national gov
eminent. Let the dead past bury its
dead" They must, while discharging
their every duty as citizens of this great
republic, look hopefully to the future and the
glorious destiny in store for their common
country. The speaker briefly and eloquently
recounted the memorable part this veteran
regiment had borne in the great conflict,
enumerating, among others, the first and
second battles of Manassas, Chickahominy,
the seven days fight around Richmond, South
Mountain, Antietam, Gettysburg, Falling
Water, Bristol Station, Wilderness, Spots
sylvania courthouse, etc. 1t was at the
Battle of the Wilderness that, after having
performed prodigles of valor, and driven the
enemy at the point of the bayonet from every
position in his front, that General Lee sa-
luted him, and told him that he was worthy
to wear the wreath and stars of major
general. His record as a soldier is a glowing
ing one, and his civil administration as chief
magistrate no less admirable. Governor
Stone truly occupies place IN the affections
of our people that no other has yet attained
His great patriotism, his Incompatible jnteg-
rity, his infexibe determination, his utter
unselishness, his indomitable courage, his
christian charity and benevolence, render
him immensely popular with the masses.
There is no ambition he might cherish or
OInclal STATION ne might aspire 10 winch
would not be cheerfully gratifed by them.
Marching in the ranks of the survivors of
this regiment we observed your townsman,
Captain John w. billiard (of the
firm of Guy, billiard & Coffin, one
of the surviving captains Of this regiment
There was no truer, Drawer soldier than he
that wore the gray, and, except when disa-
bled by the severe wounds received in battle,
he participated in every regular engagement
The name of John billiard is the synonym
of honesty, gallantry, and patriotism in this
country. The beaming face of that old vet
eran of two wars, Major J. III. Buchanan, was
smiling in recognition to the many soldier
friends who greeted him on this occasion.
He acquired distinction as a soldier in the
war with Mexico, and was major of the Sec
ond regiment IN the late war Captain Tom
Campbell, the popular sheriff of Tippah coun-
ty, fell into line ghbly and naturally as
when marching to meet the enemy on the
bloody soil of the Old Dominion. The ladies
of Tippah county had prepared a bounteous
repast, which was heartily pa1taken OF by the
large crowd. This reunion was, indeed, a
great success, and one long to be remembered
by our citizens. ''All went merry as mar
rage bell, and after a serenade at night
to Governor Stone and Captain billiard, the
vast crowd dispersed.