Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-23

Historic Pofns on the Savannah
RIver-CentenniaI Celebration of
ITS Capture.

We condense the following. from the ac-
count in the Augusta Chronicle of the cen
tennial celebration on Saturday of the cap
ture Of Fort Galphin, on the Savannah
river, of which brief mention has been
made by telegraph:
cat eight o'clock Yesterday morning the
Port Royal train left the Union depot filed
with a goodly crowd from Aiken and
Augusta, for the ruins of Fort Galphin, to
join In the celebration Of the centennial
anniversary of its capture. After pleasant
ride Of forty-five minutes the party arrived
at point on the road within mile of the
fort, where vehicles of every description
we're in waiting to convey them to the scene
OF the celebration, small grove few
hundred yards distant from the ruined fort.
This spot had been justly chosen by the
committee, instead of the fort proper, on
account Of its singular beauty and the his
toric memories that cluster around 1t. The
grove is about seventy five yards square,
and hundred wears ago was the burviag
ground of all the region around the hour
ishing trading post of that hardy Irishman,
George Galphin. He, with General William
son, Charles Good win, and others of note in
the locality, and some three hundred OF the
settlers of that day, lie buried in this space,
but no headstone or mound marks their rest
ing place. and the exact location of any
grave is not known. For fifty years the place
has been neglected, and the graves OF some
of South Cardinals sons. Of whom she is
Justly proud, cannot be designated. But ma
ture has been more mindful Of the presence
of the honored dead, and the sturdy oaks and
stately elms, fifty draped in their mourning
wells of trailing moss, stretch out their arms
to shelter them In their last sleep, and every
breeze murmurs its sad requiem over their
nameless graves. 1t is indeed lovely spot,
and sweet must be the sleep of those who
rest in this hallowed place. Resting In the
deep shade of these giant trees that for a
century have stood as natures monuments
above the sleeping dead, listening to the
solemn dirge of the signing breeze and soft
murmur of the restless river, the mind steals
back to the contemplation Of long ago, and
phantom forms Of the heroes of old seem to
start up on every side. 1t is a place Of
sacred memories, and properly was 1t Sc
lected for the memorial services.
"At IL O'Clock the ceremonies,began with
music from the band, followed by Major E.
s. Hammond, the President of the Centen-
NAL Committee, as follows: 1T deyolves
upon me In behalf of the Galphin Centen-
NAL Committee, to introduce to you the
Chairman of the meeting to-day, and give
to YOU the name of one whose great-grand
father, a century and quarter ago, erected
the fort whose ruins ara here. Within the
sound of my voice the mortal remains of
this great man lie beneath the shade of
these noble trees. introduce to you DIR.
George NJ. Galphin.' DR.. Galphin then
said:
a. Ladies and Geatlemey-We have met to-
day to commemorate the noble action of
our ancestors hundred years ago, which
terminated in few months in the conquer
ing of their foes and the liberty of our
country. 1t becomes us to do honor to
those men whose noble patriotism, heroic
devotion and indomitable courage gained
victory here whose results have been so
momentous. And great indeed have been
those results. The thirteen colonies of
those days have now grown into vast en-
pire extending from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, and second to none on the globe.
In to day reviving these hallowed memo
ries, we deem 1t fitting and proper to re-
turn thanks and invoke the blessing of Al
mighty God. |, therefore, introduce the
Rev. Mr.. Bradford
"Phe assemolsge rose to their feet and
listened TO the following eloquent PRAYER:
'Ohl thou eternal Jehovah, who reigns
from everlasting to everlasting, who was
before the mountains were brought forth or
the world was formed-to whom q thousand
wears are but as yesterday-thou art worthy
to receive honor and praise not only from
the hosts OF Heaven, but also from all assem-
hIies on earth. And to-day we acknow ledge
Thee as Maker and Ruler of all things in
time and eternity. We pray that proper
thoughts may I'LL our minds on this occa-
sion, and that we may fix our affections
upon eternal, and not upon things that pass
away. One hundred years ago there were
animated scenes enacted here, but those
who mingled in those scenes are in the dust.
Look down on and bless, we pray, the SER
vices of this day. Grant that they may be
ruled by peace, harmony and quiet. Ac-
cept our thanks fur all favors ami blessings
on our land, for our goodiy bs ritage and
that our lives have fallen in pleasant places.
We ask all in the name of our great Re-
deemer, Jesus CHRISTI
"After fine selection by the band, the
Chairman gracefully introduced our distin-
guished townsmau, Colonel G. G. Jones, Jr 4,
as orator of the day, who delivered an elo-
quent and polished address.
''The speech was one eminently appro-
pirate to the occasion, and we regret that the
pressure upon our columns prevents its
publication this morning. It was finely
delivered throughout, but at the peroration
the speakers fine voice rose grandly to the
occasion, and strong and powerful, yet rich
with emotion, 1t thrilled the audience, and
as its last echoes died away many eyes were
filed with tears that started forth in gen.
erous sympathy with the speakers tribute
TO one whom all Southern hearts love to
honor.
AFTER the Grafton, Major Hammond read
letters from Governor johnson Haygood,
United States Senators Butler and Hamp-
ton, Judge A. G. Moe-Ash and Ex-Governor
Manning sn Expressing deep interest in the
movement and regret at their inability to be
resent. With this the memorial exercises
were concluded, and the crowd devoted
themselves to having good time general
ly. There were from 1900 to 600 persons
present. The military of South Carolina
were fairly represented by the Palmetto
Rifles, of Aiken, under the command Of
Capt. W. w. Williams.
Gan elegant barbecue anu large supply
of refreshments were on hand to crafty the
inner man, and too much cannot be said In
commentator of those in charge of the
celebration. It was 9 grand success, and
every one present will hold the occasion in
pleasant remembrance. After dinner most
of the young people devoted themselves to
the dancing platform, but some strolled
along the romantic banks Of the river to tell
the old, old story, which alone is ever new
The occasion was thoroughly enjoyable, and
every one went home convinced that cen
tennial celebrations were grand thing.'
A nVnnrHarlv norlrov nhs1ruoRa hAn