Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-05-22
GENERAL JOHNSTON AND HIS
OLD SOLDIERS.
Affecting Scenes at the Capitol
Reception = speeches by the
Old Hero and Gen. Bates.

American of yesterday,l
Seldomin the history of any country
has there been witnessed as deeply at
fecting a scene as was at the Capitol
yesterday. Theintelligence that Gen
eral Johnston was to be at the Capitol
to receive the citizens and his old
comrades in arms, attracted thousands
Of people to welcome the ''old hero"
as they called him in their affection
and admiration. Immediately upon
the arrival of the general he was con
Quoted to the hall of the house of rep
resentatiyes, closely followed by a
great throng Of people, eager to press
his hand.
Taking the stand, Gen. Bate, lead
ing Gen. Johnston to a seat in the
speakers stand, addressed the people,
introducing the great soldier. Gen.
Bate referred to the past war and the
connection and association Of Gen.
Johnston, and Tennesseans who had
seen service in camp and field under
him. Gen. Bates remarks, as he al
luded to the trying scenes in Georgia,
the stirring hour of victory, the ordeal
Of retreat, aud the sad consequences of
bloody battles, seemed truly inspired
with the greatness of his theme, and
cheer after cheer rent the air from
the threats Of hundreds Of
veterans, all approving with
delight the most enthusiastic things
said by the speaker of their former
leader. Each eloquent allusion to the
war and its associations seemed to
revive the memories that spoke with
no need of Interpretation in the glow
ing faces and beaming eyes Of the ex-
C~onfederates in the audience. Still,
withal, they loudly applauded the as.
sertion that the old Confederate SOL
diers made now the best and most
loyal citizens of the union, how
ever much it might be that they
cherished deep and sweet re~collectiOns
OF their own cross of st. Andrews.
Gen. Johnston was very visably af-
fected during the address. and as he
replied, thanking the speaker and the
people for their cordial demonstra-
tions to him, it was evident that emo
ton impeded his ~utterance. He said,
outside Of his home circle, the recep-
ton which had been given him in
Tennessee within the last twenty -four
hours was the highest qualification Of
his life. He well remembered his old
comrades in arms, and as long as God
pleased to allow him life he would
cherish them in afTectionate remem
brance.
Gen. Johnston having concluded
his remarks, Gen. Bate, saying to hin
that it was his comrades turn to com.
mand him, stationed the general il
front Of the speakers stand, where
every boy present might meet him
Instantly a throng Of swarthy faced
men pressed forward and shook hi
, hands; they we're nearly all under hi
. old command, and though the pres
I was constant and restless, yet
hurried word would occasionally b.
: spoken by a passer, telling the genera
| to what particular regiment he wa
attached in the war, and in wha
:. particular battle they had been to
gether. Varying emotions showed
themselves on the generals fac
proving that he deeply appreciate,
A the reception and its incidenta
4 Genuine tears were seer upon cheek
f that seemed too immobile for emo
d ton. 1t seemed a very feast o
atfectionate regard for the old hero
and in recalling the events Of III
e great past in which he was a centra
figure.