The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-08-12

, taak Of organizing for tho work OF
another schooi-year, imperativelyy for
bids my absenco from home at THE
timo. No minor considerations could
| keep me from the pleasure you offer
Although your Kind invitation gives
me the grateful assurance that [ am
still remembered by my old comrades
Of the Sixth, should not have waited
for it, had it been possible for me to
join you, so confident am Of hearty
welcome from those whose "elbow
touch" | felt for three trying and event
full years.
sincerely congratulate you upon
the successful organization of u Sur
vivors' Association; and hope that
before another year has passed, not
only the "Old Fifth" but all the other
regiments of our historic Brigade, will
have followed your good example in
combining to pcrpetuatc the memory
of those deeds and names that we
should "not willingly let die"
Wishing that your cup of joy may
be full to tic brim, am, in the bonds
Of y common memory,
Your comradc and friend,
A. COWARD.
CHARLESTON, S. c., August S, 1879.
TO Mc$srS. II. W. IY00dnu,vl, .J. Il.
B'1ce and s. II. rant, Contm.ttec
on Reunion Of tSiciA $. G.. ReGi-
ment, WiMnsboro, S. c.:
GENTLEMEN-Yourk kind and com,
plimcntary letter Of August 2, invit-
ing me to attend the ""Rcumion of th>
Sixth 5. G.. Rcgimcnt." to be held a,
Winnsboro on Thursday, August 7th.
rract,ph me iGs;cldtt, August 4th.
"a ')n3*, Thought tIaj ] had SO long
n1rn on 'hr "Scn coast ihat WAS for
G.d,cn. haze delayed ans"cring j
u! :V-,iiy bccln~c hoped that nigh
"a Lhlc ~ Nitrnd tbs ''rr.u,ivn."
cHAnt.j d. il. outc~nuiii # proirsSionar
r":5a&encnis. Iou viii readily un-
'icrStHnd this excuse, coming from
"clyii and not rs formerly from a
"nlililary DOCTOR" am just at pres
eni helping oat the next generation
for them. | hope, there will be no wars
or rumors Of wars.
Please extend to the Sixth Regiment
my congratulations ut this "reunion,"
and express my regrets that l am not
with them Oh this OCCASION. would
prize, above all things, the privilege Of
shaking by the hands once more In
men whom l followed into battle. My
post was generally i'll the rear at the
hospital, where / hope l did my duty.
This kind invitation of yours, gentle
mon Of the Committee, assures me that
you think SO. | regret, moro parCicu-
larly, that cannot be with you OH this
occasion because | wanted to urge
upon YOUR Committee and the "ISc-
~ nf In ix,f1, =
pricty of q f'grlnd reunion" of "Brat-
TOMS Brigade" in Columbia in Sep
tembcr '79 or 80. Do let me impress
upon your Committee the considcra-
ton of this matter. About three
years ago i wrote to nearly all Of the
staff officers and regimcntal command
crs on. this subject. The unsettled
state Of political affairs and the power
ty Of those gallant men who, with in
flexible will, gallant hearts and deadly
aim-not to speak of the old Confcd.
crate yell-followcd in tattered rags
the torn and wcather-beatcn flag of the
''Lost Cause" till the bitter end, pre-
vented the reunion was so anxious to
promote.
Now, gentlemen, tho political hori-
zon is clearer, our ship of State is
guided by one of our own pilots.
When honor is due to any Brigadicr
General from South Carolina, General
John Bratton comes in, in my opinion,
for u "big SHARE" The Sixth Regi-
ment have seen him rising from n pri-
vate in the ranks to the command Of q
brigade second to none in the "Army
of Northern Virginia" "Long may
he wavc." respectfully but earnestly
suggest that committee be appointed,
say, of the staff officers and the colo
ncls commanding regiments at the
time of the surrender, to arrange for q
s.graud reunion Of Bratton's Brigade"
as soon as possible. In honoring our
old and gallant commander, we honor
ourselves.
With regrets that cannot come, and
with regards to each and all Of you,
lam yours, respectfully,
FRANCIS l.. PAREER M D.