The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-11-10
A CONTEMPORARIES REUNION.
What New England Man Saw at Dallas,
Texas, on the Occasion of the Fifteenth
Annunl Meeting of HoOdta Rripate

What New England Alan Saw at Dallas,
Texas, on the Occasion of the Fifteenth
Annual Meeting of Hoods Brigade.
am native of Connecticut, and my
father was q soldier in the Union army
during the late war. had been resi-
dent of Texas about three years on the
9th of August last, when took advan-
age OF an opportunity to attend the an
uual re union Of Hoods Brigade at
Dallas.
The eX-Federal soldiers throughout
the country had been invited to the
meeting, and each, as did the eX-Cuufed-
crates, wore a badge designating the
army TO which he had belonged.
wore no badge for two reasons:
First was too young TO Join the army
when the war began, and had not been
"a soldier; second, was there for pur-
pose OF my own. | wanted to mix gem
orally with the crowd without it being
known that ! was northern man, and
ind to what extent the animOsitles en-
gendered by the hOstilities Of nineteen
years ago Still existed in the hearts of
the people. And right here | can posi-
lively assert, that from all my
mingiing with that thrOng, ] am un-
able % recall one word or act of
bitterness or aniInOsitY, either to the
government, or the men who had worn
the blue. While on the other hand, the
universal kindness and courtesy ex-
tended to the eX-federal soldiers who
were there rs guests, filed mo with
admiration for those men, scared as
many OF them were with tho marks OF
battle.
The headquarters for federal and CON
iederates were sido by side; they were
often seen arm in arm; they blended
their shouts when the band played
Hail Columbia, and applaudcd all
together the happy hits Of tho speakers.
Tho address of welcome was delivered
by Hon. j. n. Aldrodge, district Judge
aud as tho animus of tho speeches was
tine same throughout, ! will give some
extracts from his. He said: "The fact
remains to history that tho best and
braVest throughout the union stood in
tho ranks of the conteStng armies. The
man from Maine and the man from
| Texas, was each actuated by the utmost
| honesty Of purpose and devotion to duty
and alike deserves the applause and
gratitude of those for whom he barred his
breast 10 tho storm of battle.
The brave soldiers of tho Federal
army, who measured arms with us upon
tho field, as checrfully assert these
truths as we do. None deny them, OK.
cept the sOulless demagOgue, who snuff
cd The battle from afar oil them, and
| would ride into power now by tanning
| with sacreligiOus hand the last smoul,
dering emborS of political hate"
In speaking of tho meaning and intcnt
of tho reunion he said: "Let no man
misunderstood its meaning. IL is not a
revival of the war spirit"
lilo accepted the result of tho war, say
ing; "The issues involved in that con.
| test are res adjudicata forever"
lie said further: al believe that but
| speaksthe sentiments of the confederate
soldiers, when ! assert that rejoice that
| the great union il forever one and i'm
divisible. The stars and stripes float
over no moro devoted people i'm this
government than tho late soldiers of tho
confederate army"
The above extracts are fair samples of
tho sentiments uttered by other speak.
ers, and they met with hearty response
from tho assembled thrOng.
III IN nut justice to state that tho con-
iederatoS paid many beautiful tributes
to their dead and eulogized tho names
OF their great leaders, but would ask
any fair minded, candid northern man.
was this wrong?
Rehollions and revolutions pass away,
and tho partisan strife, enmity and sec
tional hatred ongendered thereby arc
forgotten; but the bright EXAMPLES of
pure aud heroic manhood exhibited by
! the soldiers of both sides during the
late war, deserve TO be remembered for
ever.
! Tho glory of such names rs Grant, Lee
sherman and Stonowall jackson docs
not belong TO any particular section,
nut Is the common property of the
American people.
The writer saw not one confederate
Nag on tho grounds, though tho stars
ana stripes, decorated the speakers
stand.
But twas when the formal adjourn
meut ut the first day came on that tho
enthusiasm reached its height. The
bands struck up the war tunes SO la
miliW to the soldiers of both sides.
Dixie "Sherman's March to the Sea. "
"Ihe Girl | Left Behind Me-" aud "Thr
Bonnie Blue Flag were played In sue.
ceSslon, and rs tho strains of martial
music arose higher aud higher ON the
evening mir, the cheers of the men who
/ hHd worn the blue united with those
OF the men who had worn TIA,
grey IN ono grand shout. Hands
were shaken, hats thrown in tn,
air, and all felt that the war was indeed
over, and its heroes again united I'm th,
| bonds OF union and hruthcrly love.
have given the above facts lust ns
saw them, and call ON the union soldiers
| who were there To bear me Witness
IoNas Gazetteer.