Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-08-16
THE HALIFAX REUNION.
GREATDArAT TIRE COURTHOUSE.

keuerai custom Tor surviving veterans oil
the late unplsasantness between the States
TO meet and reunite, form anew their ranks,
and enjoy the pleasure OF greeting COM
rades who yet remain, while doing honor
10 those OF the brave who fell on the field
q battle.
It's a custom cmipently fit and proper.
source OF much pleAsure-s custom inspr-
inc and elevating, In that u appeals WIN
peculiar directness, 20 10 speak, 10 patr'onc
instincts and emotions.
Probably OF all the reunions that have
taken place in this country since the war
not one has been moie enjoyable ana sue.
ccssiul in every respect than that held
here to-day.
The readers OF the Dispatch are aware
thai the last Legislature made II duty OF
the Adjutant General 10 secure and ME
sfnorg the papers of his Office complete
rolls Of sil the companies. together with In
cdenis connected With service. death, ETC.,
so far as possible. In response 70 the re-
quest OF that officer this retnion was held.
The people Of this beautiful village are
noted far and wide for their hospitality,
and on oil occasions delight In exercising
that quality. SO when the commanders Of
the companies participating to-day signi-
fed desire 10 have rednion OF their
"boys In gray" the opportunity was ca
gerry embraced. Exclusive credit for the
happy day cannot. however, be attributed
10 the estimable citizens OF the Courthouse.
for. although they performed a great por-
ton OF the labor. their efforts were mate
rislly aided bv the people in every section
ID the county.
The dsy bad been extensively advertised.
.nd he simple announcement that Major
John w. Daniel and Judge III. w. Flour
noy, Secretary OF the Commonwealth. would
be present and spesk, was OF itself guar
anioe Of large attendance.
HALIFAX IN The WAR.
OF The brave soldiers who fought and
hlCd and died iorthe Lost Cause none were
DIayer. none more soldierly than those
from Halifax. The county contributed to
the armies Of the COniederacy seventeen
companies. composed o: the flower OF lis
culture. chivalIy. and sturdy manhood.
Rank and Tile the aggregate number reached
s,C00 Their dceGs OF daring aud courage
sdd luStrc 10 tie annals Of The war; their
dead now sleep on many battle-teids; the
memory Of their heroiSm, though Hinged
with sadness. vet lingorS-the silver lining
to the dark cloud OF the fierce and bloody
struggle.
No wonder. then, that the people OF this
grand old county should turn out as one 10
90 honor 10 those who pat their lives in the
lslance at their country's call.
The day broke brightly, aud st sn early
hour vehicles OF every conceivable desc MP
ton began 10 pour into the place. The
roads were streams OF moving carriages,
wagons, bucgles, carts, horses, and foot
passenger. These continued to swell the
crowd until at II o'clock the number Of
men. women. aud children on the ground
was vAriously estimatel at from TWO to
three thousand.
THE LINE FORMED.
-Four mpanies-COmpany A, Fifty
third Virginia infantry, Captain Johl
Grammer; Company +. Fifty-third Vir-
ginia infantry. Captains j. O. Chsppeil aud
Henry Edmunds Company q, Sixth Nir-
cinia cavalry. Colonel z. 5. FlournOy;
Company +, Thiriy-fourth Virginia IN
fsniry. Captain ii. IL. lIurt--wero the first
movers in the celebration which to-day AZ
foIdod so much enjoyment, but several
other companies joined with them. and
were heartily welcomed. At II O'Clock the
Tine was formed, commanded by COlone!
John Grsmmer. the senior officer present,
with L. Ii. Vaughan acting adjutant.
Headed by the baud, the veterans
taking seats I'm front Of the platform which
had been erected on the north side Of the
courthouse building. The platform was
large, tastilf decorated with bunting. and
CaTpctcd. Members OF the preU were
courteOusly invited 10 occupy seats upon
IL. The band burst ont with Dixie"
and Immediately tremor was seen 10 run
through The crowd as the familiar tune
rang out upon the air. Then followed
Annie Laurie" As its sweet strains
echoed and rtechoed among the trees ksye-
raj young gentlemen were seen ~ be east
ing soft gancss Mt pretty maidens, who
composed large portion o! tue audience.
Colonel John Grammcr called the assem-
blsge 10 order, and stated the exercises
would be begun by prayer by Rev. o. A.
Rinsolving, OF the Episcopal Church. MIR.
Kinsolving came forward aud offered prayer
Ne follows:
Almighty and Everlasting God, who art
the Author and Giver OF all good, in ill
our ways we acknowledge Thee. that Thou
mayestdirsct our steps We would co me
before Thee with reverence and humility
TO seek Thy blessing in all our under
tskings. remembering that without Thee
nothing Is strong, nothing is holy" As
Thy dependent creatures, we ask that Thou
wilt direct us In all our doings with Thy
most gracious favor and further Us with
Thy continual help, that in all our
words, begun, continued, and ended
in Thee, we may glOrify Thy name.
As we meet together on thus occasion TO
hold communion with each other and TO
recall the sacred memories OF the past, We
besccch Thee TO be present with II. and to
preside over IL who are here assembled,
that we may see Thy ruling hand In each
event OF life. and trace the wisdom and
goodness Of Thy providence. which have
followed us unvaryingly through all the
chsnges and chances through which We
have passed. Nav we have grace TO realize
that duty performed is never lost, that
sacrifices made for truth and right are
never offered in vain. Thy ways srs not
AZ our wavs, nor Thy thoughts ~ our
thoughts; vet We know that Thou art God
over all, blessed forever; that Thou dOeSt
according 10 Thy will in the armies
Of heaven and among the inhabitants OF the
earth. Thou has been the refuge OF Thy
people In all generations. Our fathers
trusted in Thee and were hOlpen; they
looked unto Thee and were lightened. and
their faces were not ashamed. May we be
enabled by Thy grace TO put our whole
trust and confidence In Thee for all time 10
come. May the best blessings OF Thy
providence blessings OF heaven above and
blessings Of The deep that lieth UNDERGOING
upon our country, that II may be the land
oi true liberty, the home OF pure religion.
the abode OF peace aud happiness, truth
and justice, religion and piety, for AL time.
May each one Of us now in Thy presence
be 40 guided and governed by Thy good
spirit tha, We may faithfully serve Thee IN
our respective yocstions in life, aud 10 live
as the faithful soldiers and servants OF
Christ, In the patient hope that 10 the last
great DAY Of 10 rnion, both OF the living and
the dead, we may be found an scceptaDi'
pcople in Thy sight. These aud sli other
necessaries we humby beg in the name anc
mediation Of jesus Christ, our only Lore
and Saviour. Amep."
Colonel Grammer, at the conclusion OF
the PRAYER, came forward and made very
brief but pertinent Introductory speech
lie said that they met 10 revive the memo
ries Of the past and renew the association
which they suggest. The object OF the re
union was TO reunite and cement those ties
so cherished and so sacred. In the course
Of his remarks Colonel Grammer PAID
glowing and eloquent tribute 10 the sol
diers Of the Coniederacy. He closed by
Introducing 10 the audience
non. JOHN W. DANIEL.
Maior Daniel. although wearied with re
cent travel and labor, looked fresh ana II
.uiendid health His auDparancc Was th'