The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-09-19
RED SHIRT DAY.
AS Good as Expected.
Crowds Of People and Great
Enthusiasm.
Let the Good Work go ON

The 18th of September will be a do.
long to be remembered by the Democ
racy of Kershaw county, for it was
glorious one for our party. But ont
thing could detract from its complete
success, and that was the enforced ab
sencs Of Governor Hampton. 1t was
gratifying, however, for our people ,e
be informed that his health had so fal
bcen recovered as 10 enable him to open
the campaign at Greenville yesterday
His place here was we'll supplied by
other of our State officers, whose names
will appear in this report in the order
in which they spoke.
Long ere tho sun rose, and even be-
fore the signal gun of the Camden Light
Artillery announced the dawn Of great
day for Kcrshaw county, the hum o'
many voice. and the tread Of many feet
could be heard on our streets, giving
evidence of the gathering of the COM
panies and clubs from various sections
of our county, and the sun rose upon
our streets crowded with people. AS far
as the eye could reach we could see the
red shirts prominent in the moving
mass.
A promiscuous cheering and an inde-
pendent sort of Fourth of July then
took place until the hour arrived for the
forming of the procession: Promptly
at half;past nine, and according to or
ders, the infantry regiment repdezvouscd
at Monumental Square, the cavalry and
clubs on horseback assembled at the
Court House, and the foot citizens at
the Bank corner.
When all things were in order, the
Kershaw Regiment of Infantry, headed
BY the Columbia Cornet Band, proceeded
down Main street. The regiment was
composed Of five companies, in the fol-
lowing order: Kershaw Guards, Capt.
Lang; Flat Rock Guards, Capt. Pat
terson; Beaver Dam Rifle Guards, Capt
Nelson; Oakland Guards, Capt. Du8ose;
Lynchwood Guards, Capt Hough. Fol-
lowing the regiment was the Camden
Light Artillery, Capt. Goodale, naming
an old revolutionary ten pound cannon
u relic of Corvallis visit to Camden
This old piece had been mounted for
this special occasion, and its voice again
opened, which had been silent for o
hundred years. Upon the breach OF
the cannon was painted, "Old 100
177S-1879." This part of the pro-
cession marched down Main street to
DeKalb. where it was met BY the citi'
zens, cavalry and mounted clubs. An
omen order was then formed, and the
speakers of the day, in an open ba-
rouche. drawn by four horses, driven BY
Mai. W. T. Barrett, and escorted by
the Kerahaw Troop, passed through
After this the procession proceeded
ND Main street to Laurens; down lau'
rens to Lyt'leton; down Lyttleton to
the stand on Hampton square.
The benches in front of the speakers
stand were already filled with Camden's
most beautiful ladies, who testified their
enthusiasm by the waving of hnudker-
chiefs and the clapping of hands as the
procession approached.
The speakers stand, arranged BY
fair hands, was adorned with wreaths
of beautiful flowers aud evergreens, and
on the table in the centre. rested three
massive silver pitchers filled with ice
water to refresh the speakers.
After the multitude had settled down
to quiet, the ceremonies were opened
with prayer by Rev. s. E. Hay, after
which Mr.. VIM. D. Trantham intro
duced Lieutenant Governor Simpson al
the first speaker, who was followed ir
succession by Hon. H. s. Thompson,
State Superintendent Of Education
Congressman j. Fl. Evins, Maj. james
G. Gibbss and Adlutant. General Noise
As each of the above-named gentlemen
closed his address, the band played anc
salute was fred by the Camden Ar
tillery. The speech of General Noise
closed the ceremonies of the day.
Colonel Gantey's regiment ther
marched to Monument Square. where
they were inspected by the Adjutant
General,
For the balance Of the afternoon, eacl
Democrat in town scattered himsel
around to enjoy the remnant of the oc
casion as best suited his inclination
The sun went down on tired, bu
happy, set of Democrats in Kersha7