Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-07
BALTIMORE'S OLD GUARD.
THE HEROES OF 1912 SUCCUTB
TO THE RAVAGES OF TIME.

Deaths Havoc in Its Ranks and the
Infirmities of the Seven Survivors
COmpels an Old Organization to Give
Up Its Annual Reunion and Parade
The City's Heart Touched by the In
cident.
BALTIMORE, Sept. 6.-The Association
Of Old Defenders, whose members took
part in the battle of North Point in the
war of 1912, has disbanded, its few sur
vivOrs being disabled by the infrmities of
age. 1t has been the custom of the asso-
citation for many years to attend church
in a body on the Sunday preceding the
18th day OfSeptember, each member wear
ing a cockade and Grape on the left arm.
This ceremony will not take place to-
morrow. Annually at o'clock on the
morning of the 18th of September
they assembled at the east front
of the City Hall, and form
ing in line, with drum and fife, they
marched to Calverts street, around Battle
Monument, with uncovered heads. After
this tribute to the memory of those who
fell in battle at North Point, they pro-
ceeded to some pleasant retreat in the
city and partook of their annual dinner,
for which the City Council made an
annual appropriation. On Sept. u there
will be no meeting and no marching.
HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION.
The San, alluding to the disbaudment,
says:
The famous Old Defenders Association,
whose annual parade has been the most nota-
bic and Impressive feature of the celebration
OF September y, is no more. The constitution
of the organization provided that it should be
kept so long as there were five members
able and willing to continue the organization.
fear after year the veterans have been drop
ping out of the ranks, overcome by the burden
of years, until there are not now five left who
are able to attend meeting of the associa-
tion, and it has been dissolved. 1t has been
their annual custom to attend church
in body on the Sunday be-
the veterans will not gather as Of vnre nor
will the 18th witness their union to talk
over the brave days of old. The association was
formed in 1912 in Baltimore, and had at it's
formation 1889 members, most all of whom
lived at that time in Baltimore or near by. A
number lived in York, Pa. The members af-
terWards scattered all over the country.
THE LAST RALLY.
Last year only attended the annual re-
union and in addition to them there were only
l3 on record whose whereabouts were known.
Those who attended the celebration last
year were Nathaniel Watts, First Vice Presi-
dent Samuel Jennings, Second Vice Presi-
dent William Bachelor, George Boss, Darius
Wheeler, james MOrford, and E. Glen. Col.
e. Stansbury, President of the association,
who was then 90 years old, and Ashbury Jar
rett, then SO years old, could not attend owing
to infirmites of age. Richard r. Waters, OF
Montgomery county, who was on duty in Ft.
McHenry on the night of its bombardment,
was also present but was not member of the
association.
Mr.. Glen lives in Newark, n. j., but
came on to attend the annual
roll call. The z members now living
are William Bachelor, age 9S years George
Boss, 81 years; Samuel Jennings, 80 years;
AshburY Jarrett, SO years; James Morford, 80
years; Nathaniel Watts, SO years, and John
Peddicord. Had there been a reunion this
year it is very doubtful if more than two or
three could have attended, so feeble are the
remaining seven numbers. Much respect
was always shown these old veterans of the
war of 1912 LA when they appeared upon
the streets en- route to church or to their re-
union, and Of recent years Wilson Post of the
Grand Army of the Republic has turned out
as an escort.