The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1884-05-15
Heroes Of 1886,

In response to the call for recruits
TO reinforce the army on the Texas
frontier in 1886 Is repel the invasion of
Santa Anna, the Hardeman Guards were
organized by Gen. r. p Nicely, and ordered
to rendezvous ut Jackson, Tenn, where
they were organized into a regiment of
which Gen. Nicely became commander
Owing to the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. existing
between the United Safes and Mexico,
Texas being yet an independent govern
ment under Houston, who was hitting
the greasers some hard blows, President
Jackson not having immediate use fol them
and fearing they would join Houston, had
the organization musterd out of service.
During the same year 1880 a call for
twenty companies was made to go into the
Seminole war. This was one of fifty
three which responded, and was one of the
thirty-three companies ballotted out Soon
after Gen. Winfield Scott was sent south to
quell the Cherokee and Creek Indian
troubles, and this company, which had
never disorganized, responded to his call
and went into service. Ten years later a
part of the company volunteered for the
Mexican war and served through that
bloody period. Then came the war between
the states in 1861, and those of them liv-
ing stepped into ranks and followed thar
gallant commander of so many years, AMI
the Southern Cross. OF this company, once
the pride Of Bolivar and Hardeman, there
are fifteen living, out of one hundred and
four originally, and on last Monday, as has
been their custom for many years, the rem
nant met in Bolivar to review the events of
those days so long gone, and renew the ties
made sacred bv the lapse of years and the
recollections Of a soldiers life. OF the fif-
teen there were nine present, viz: VIM. Por-
ter, Ubet, Tenn, DIR. r. c. Westbrook, Bra
den, Tenn, w. F. Tipler, Grand Junction,
Tenn, Rev. w. G. Pugh Hollow Rock,
Tenn, and w. F. Roberts, K. Fl. Walton,
James Mills, Isaiah Macon and R. P
Nicely, Bolivar. Mrs. Lem Stills and Mr.
A. J. Stills, of the Tennessee Rolling Works,
Lyon county, Kentucky, wife and son Of
Lem Sills, one of the veterans who died 26th
September, 1882, and Sol. Hugh Uarkins
and Mr.. Wyley Fort, of Bolivar, were pres
ent. After very pleasant business and so
cial meeting at the office Of General Nicely,
the party adjourned TO his residence where
elegant dinner was served under the
aupices of Mrs. Nicely and her accom- lish
ed daughters. But we should have said
first, that the party called upon Mrs. Sllls at
her hotel, who, though stranger to every
one of them, this lady had travelled hundreds
OF miles to represent her husband at this
meeting of his old comrades, and it was with
marked appreciation that they greeted her.
They all remembered happy Lem Stills, and
though forty-eight long years had dragged
their weary length away, it seemed but
short while since he was one of their num-
Der. They wero glad 10 honor his wife and
son in his memory. OF the company who
are still living and were not present at this
meeting are, oseph B. league, Toons, Tenn,
Col. jesse S. Harris, Washington, D. c.,
Col. r. D. Casey, Mountain Home, Ark,
S. w. Pipkin, South Bosque, Texas and
VIM. Pipkin, San Saba, Texas
1t was an agreement when the company
disbanded that so long as two of them were
living they would hold meeting the second
Monday of May each year at Bolivar and
thus keep fresh the memory of those event
full days, renew their allegiance to their old
commander, Gen. Nicely. These heroes of
'36 are now all far advanced IN life, the
youngest one Of the company, being present
Monday, is IS years old Much more could
be said of this pleasant affair, bat we can
only hope that this remnant of that gallant
band may yet have many pleasant meetings.