The Dawson journal., 1883-09-06
Reunion OF the 9th ca.

ALdIuDleSS anu AIr. w HIS AdIllU,
to attend the reunion of the survi-
vors of the 5th Regt. Ga. Volunteers,
at Augusta, Ga, | was greeted by
Capt. Jno. f. Kiddoo, and four 9TH
ers of the Cuthbert Rifles, Go. F)
and when we reached Americus, five
of tie Schley Guards {Co- O. were
added to our party, and we had a
Jolly good time during the day and
night, reaching Augusta at 81 O'Clock
Wednesday morning, the 29th Aug.
We were met at the depot by Frank
G. Ford, Amos K. Clark, Jim Miller
and others of the Clinch Rifles,
(Co. Az and several memb ers of the
Irish Volunteers, Go. c. which two
companies went from, and still re-
side in Augusta. We were also met
by number of the McDufiee Rifles
[Co d. from Warrenton, who had
arrived the previous evening. We
were conducted to the Central Hotel.
the largest, best and most centrally
located hotel in the city, where we
were soon freed from the smoke and
dust of travel, and where we Jared
sumptuously for two days.
Turn which way l would, there
was smiling, familiar face, behind
an extended hand seeking a friendly
recognition and hearty shake.
Many faces, though not seen in 20
years, seemed as familiar and were
as readily recognized, and their
names as readily spoken, as if | had
parted from them only yesterday.
Others were only half remembered,
and we would often stand several
seconds, grasping the hand and gaz-
ing into each others face, forcing
memory far back into the past in
search of some time, place or Incl
dent that would bring the once ia
miliar name to our lips. Others,
whose battles did not end with the
war, but who have been "fghting
against fate" and are continually
confronted BY adversely and msfor-
tune, were wholly unrecognizable
until the old time smile, GESTURE and
voice forced themselves into the
mind and demanded recognition
Four long years in camp and on
the field, on the cars and on the
march, around the quiet fires of the
bivouac, and in the hotly contested
battles, in sickness and in health
amid the merry songs by night and
the groans OF the wounded and dy
ing by day,-tormed our whole
Regt. into a sincere and lasting
Brotherhood that death alone can
break. This reunion was like {
happy family reunion, and we felt as
if we were meeting and greeting anC
grasping the hands of our owl
brothers, from whom we had beer
separated for IS Or 20 years. Blu
our cup of Joy, which seemed to bt
full, and looked clear and beautiful
on the surface. like that of many fam
lily reunions, had many dregs at th
bottom. While gazing at conver
sing with, and happy in the presenc
of those few old tried and tru
friends and comrades, our nina
would continually retreat into til
shades of the past and dwell upo
those noble heroes who fell in battl
oy our side, or died in norther
prisons, far from friends and kin
dred. Many of those who came on
with us have since been killed, o
died, and Others are wandering owe
, the face of the earth, and we are oh
, lige to answer, when their names ar
called-"Whereabouts unknown"
l There must have been 1900 me-
IN our Regt., counting original mem
bers, recruits and substitutes. An
yet st our first reunion, Is year.
after the close of the war, onl
about one hundred men can b
brought together, even under tn
convenient ana favorable circum
stances. Only foul' of my Co., til
Dawson Volunteers, tie first comp;
ny that went to the war from thi
county, were present, viz myself
Seargt. Louis Sylvester, and Pri
Z Yates Jas. A. Chambless and Will
Martin. But enough of these sa,
, reflections.
At 10 O'Clock, the morning we al
rived, we formed in front of the Ger
: trail hotel, and marched to the ney
} ASSOCIATION Of the Clinch Rifles
} when the Washington Artillery an
/ Cox's Battalion of Sharp Shoote,
| joined us and took part in thedelibel